Football

Aliquippa’s Cyair Clark intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Chartiers Valley’s Socrates Boulis during the first quarter Friday. Clark returned the interception for a touchdown.

5 things we learned in WPIAL Week 5

October 10, 2020

How will the WPIAL decide which football teams make the playoffs since covid-19 cancellations made the standings unbalanced?

Penn Trafford coach John Ruane said the cancellation of Sunday’s game against Gateway is “depressing.”

Westmoreland high school football notebook: Cancellation upends Penn-Trafford’s routine

Asked for his initial thoughts on the cancellation of Sunday night’s game at Gateway, Penn-Trafford coach John Ruane answered succinctly.

Riverview’s Dean Cecere carries the ball during a game against Jeannette on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at Riverview.

Junior Dean Cecere, Riverview learn from challenging early season slate

In Riverview’s Eastern Conference football game against Imani Christian on Oct. 2 at Graham Field in Wilkinsburg, Dean Cecere broke free on runs several times and turned in career-best marks on the stat sheet.

Norwin’s Nick Fleming tries to break the tackle of Hempfield’s Lucas Guy on Sept. 11.

Norwin notebook: Football team puts seven-game skid in rearview mirror

A seven-game losing streak is no more for the Norwin football team.

Mt. Lebanon’s Joey Daniels (3) looks to pass the ball against Central Catholic during their game at Graham Field in Wilkinsburg on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.

Trib HSSN’s Week 5 top performers for passing, rushing, receiving

Top performers for Week 5 high school football in Western Pennsylvania.

Central Valley’s Landon Alexander works out during practice on Aug. 12, 2020, in Center.

WPIAL Class 3A roundup: No. 1 Central Valley routs No. 4 Keystone Oaks

Central Valley continued its assault on Class 3A opponents Friday night.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Oct. 9, 2020

Football

WPIAL Class 2A roundup: Thad Gray leads Western Beaver past Brentwood

Thad Gray ran for the game’s first three touchdowns as Western Beaver earned a 35-22 victory over Brentwood (3-2, 2-1) to stay atop the Class 2A Three Rivers Conference on Friday night.

California running back Jaeden Zuzak works out during practice on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020.

WPIAL Class A roundup: California’s Zuzak runs for 440 yards, 7 TDs in victory

Jaedan Zuzak ran for 440 yards and seven touchdowns to lead unbeaten California to a 65-22 victory against Jefferson-Morgan (2-3, 2-3) in the Class A Tri-County South Conference on Friday night.

Seneca Valley goes through drills during work outs Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Seneca Valley High School.

WPIAL Class 6A roundup: Baldwin, Seneca Valley earn key wins

Colton Brain threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns to lead Baldwin to a 37-34 victory against Hempfield (1-4, 1-4) in a Class 6A Conference game Friday night.

Upper St. Clair quarterback Ethan Dahlem works out during practice on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, in Upper St. Clair.

WPIAL Class 5A roundup: Upper St. Clair tops West Allegheny in Allegheny 6

Ethan Dahlem threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more TDs to lead Upper St. Clair to a 37-27 triumph over West Allegheny (3-2, 1-2) in Class 5A Allegheny 6 Conference play Friday night.

Woodland Hills’ Deontae Williams, throwing a pass against Penn Hills earlier this season, threw two touchdown passes against Franklin Regional on Friday night.

Woodland Hills regroups, thumps Franklin Regional

Franklin Regional opened Friday’s WPIAL Class 5A Big East Conference game against Woodland Hills with a trick play.

North Hills hosts Penn Hills in a WPIAL Class 5A football game Oct. 9, 2020, at North Hills.

Penn Hills grinds out tough victory over conference foe North Hills

October 9, 2020

North Hills was looking to stay atop the Class 5A Northeast Conference when it met Penn Hills on Friday night. Penn Hills, meanwhile, was hoping to bounce back after being shut out the previous week.

Elizabeth Forward’s Chase Whatton (19) celebrates after the game-winning touchdown against South Allegheny on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.

Unbeaten Elizabeth Forward hangs on, beats South Allegheny in double OT

Over the course of a season, there are games that test a team like no other. Injuries, a tough opponent and a star running back can give that kind of challenge to any team with championship aspirations.

Thomas Jefferson head coach Bill Cherpak had no complaints about his team’s 58-0 victory over Laurel Highlands on Friday night.

Thomas Jefferson leans on ground game in win over Laurel Highlands

After Thomas Jefferson (4-0, 4-0) finished walloping Laurel Highlands (1-4, 1-3), coach Bill Cherpak addressed his team and simply said, “We played like we should,” and then called the team into a huddle.

Belle Vernon’s Devin Whitlock carries against Ringgold in their Big Eight Conference game Oct. 9, 2020, at Belle Vernon.

Devin Whitlock’s record touchdown helps Belle Vernon run through Ringgold

There’s no doubting Belle Vernon’s Devin Whitlock’s athletic talent. Now, the junior will hold a place in Leopards history as well.

Top-ranked North Allegheny runs its offense before its Class 6A game at Norwin on Oct. 9, 2020.

Top-ranked North Allegheny rolls past Norwin

A late arrival by North Allegheny to Westmoreland County didn’t manage to derail the WPIAL’s No. 1-ranked Class 6A football team on Friday night at Norwin.

Connellsville’s Ky’ron Craggette fights for yardage while being wrapped up by Latrobe’s Tucker Knupp (left) and Drake Clayton on Oct. 9, 2020, at Connellsville Stadium.

Latrobe makes defensive stand on game’s final play to stop Connellsville

Trailing by three points with four seconds left in the game, Connellsville had the ball at the Latrobe 5-yard line on fourth down. Instead of kicking a field goal to tie the game, Falcons coach Marko Thomas opted to go for the win.