Football

Aliquippa quarterback Vaughn Morris works out during practice on Aug. 17, 2020, above The Pit.
Despite young roster, bump up in class, Aliquippa still thinking WPIAL title
August 31, 2020
It took a pandemic to end one of the most impressive streaks in WPIAL football history.

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Chartiers Valley’s Lamont Payne works out during practice on Aug. 17, 2020, in Collier.
Drop to Class 4A has enthusiasm on the rise at Chartiers Valley
In 2009, Chartiers Valley closed out the first decade of the century with one of its most successful football seasons. The Colts lost only once in the regular season and finished with an 8-2 record.

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New Castle quarterback Michael Wells throws a pass during practice on Aug. 11, 2020, in New Castle.
With disruptive defense, New Castle looks to extend playoff streak
Edge rushers Jaylan Cox and Allen Bradley make coach Joe Cowart optimistic about how disruptive New Castle’s defense could be this season.

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Ligonier Valley head coach Roger Beitel looks on during workouts Aug. 12, 2020 at Weller Field.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Ligonier Valley adds 2 new opponents to football schedule
When Ligonier Valley joined the WPIAL, it was eager to play new opponents.

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Central Catholic’s Eddie Tillman catches a pass during practice on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, in Oakland.
Central Catholic returns 2,000-yard rusher but QB job remains 5-way battle
Central Catholic has five guys competing to play quarterback, and whoever wins the job will practice handing the football to Eddy Tillman.

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Coach Bob Palko is entering his second season at Mt. Lebanon.
Strong junior class has Mt. Lebanon coach Bob Palko optimistic in Year 2
Mt. Lebanon coach Bob Palko had 14 sophomores earn a varsity letter in his first season with the Blue Devils.

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Seneca Valley’s Ethan West goes through drills during workouts Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Seneca Valley High School.
Veteran Seneca Valley team out to even the score
Since the expansion to six classifications throughout the state four years ago, even years have been very good for the Seneca Valley football program.

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Hempfield will count on Mario Perkins to play the featured back role that Nathan Roby filled last season.
Hempfield looks to stay healthy in 2020
Ninth-year coach Rich Bowen wonders what might have been last year had his Hempfield Spartans not been ravaged by injuries early in the season.

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Carmichaels’ Trenton Carter throws a pass during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020.
Carmichaels returns to Class A with new coach, momentum
August 29, 2020
When Ron Gallagher was promoted to the head coach position at Carmichaels in January, he took over a program with momentum.

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Jefferson-Morgan’s Jonathan Wolfe takes a hand-off from Cole Jones during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020.
Jefferson-Morgan looking to find swagger, end playoff drought
The Jefferson-Morgan football team has some players who might turn some heads as they step off the bus this season.

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Mapletown running back Landan Stevenson takes a hand-off from Max Vanata during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020.
Young Mapletown roster making push to improve
As Mapletown coach George Messich and his staff gathered at his home on Friday nights last season, watching video of the game their team just played, a thought often occurred to them.

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Monessen’s Taki Frezzel goes through drills during workouts Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020 at Memorial Stadium in Monessen.
Numbers up at Monessen, but Greyhounds are young
Rumblings about Monessen possibly folding its proud football program because of low roster numbers were quickly stamped out when Shane Swope was hired during the winter to lead the Greyhounds.

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Fullback Tyler Jones (front) and running back Shileak Livingston prepare to run a play during a practice at Beaver Falls High School.
Running back tandem of Hough, Livingston to bring thunder for Beaver Falls offense
August 28, 2020
When it comes to describing a running back tandem, most football coaches normally stick with the age-old phrase of “Thunder and Lighting.”

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Laurel’s Mitch Miles works out during practice on Aug. 10, 2020.
Line leads Laurel in quest for elusive playoff berth
It’s not the kind of distinction any football team would want to earn, but Laurel is one of the top candidates all the same.

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Riverside junior Josh Rosenberger works on his technique during a practice drill on Thursday, July 30, at Riverside High School.
Led by returning offensive line, Riverside to rely on ground game
The Riverside Panthers shocked the WPIAL last season when they made a surprising run through the Class 2A playoffs.

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Central Valley quarterback Ameer Dudley works out next to head coach Mark Lyons during practice on Aug. 12, 2020, in Center.
Entering school’s 2nd decade, Central Valley looks to add to loaded trophy case
August 26, 2020
What a great first decade of existence for the Central Valley football team.

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Ambridge lineman Brandon Hare (right) works with his linemates during practice Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, at Moe Rubenstein Stadium.
Ambridge works to get up to speed before season-opener
Veteran football coach Don Phillips had a quick response when asked of his biggest concern entering the 2020 season, his second at the helm at Ambridge.

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Hopewell lineman Rocco Vespaziani works out during practice on Aug. 11, 2020, in Hopewell.
Improvements in strength, conditioning to be key for Hopewell
Hopewell was a first-half football team a year ago. The Vikings came out strong each game with energy, excitement and the competitive juices flowing.

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Burgettstown’s Jonathan Baronick is a returning all-conference lineman for the Blue Devils.
After thriving in 2A, Burgettstown looks like big fish in Class A pond
August 25, 2020
For nine weeks in the 2019 football season, Burgettstown was the class of 2A.

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Cornell’s Drew Lopez catches a pass during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, at Frank Letteri Stadium.
Cornell restocks shelves after breakout season
Cornell took a break from competing in football in the WPIAL in 2012.

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