Football
Rochester eager to atone for WPIAL title game loss
August 20, 2019
Though Rochester came up short against OLSH in the WPIAL Class A championship game last season, coach Gene Matsook does not spend time reflecting on the past.
OLSH football team reloads hoping for another championship run
Last fall, OLSH football enjoyed unprecedented success.
Northgate optimistic after nightmare season in 2018
One season after the Northgate Flames were barely an ember, second-year coach Mike Fulmore is feeling a bit more optimistic.
Experienced Laurel motivated for big season
Ten starters back on offense. Nine starters back on defense. And a team that feels like it should have been in the postseason last year.
Cornell learns from struggles, aims to make history
Zaier Harrison has endured hard times, but he hasn’t been alone.
George Guido: Plenty of milestones to watch for this football season
The stage is set for the 121st high school football season in the Alle-Kiski Valley, and it appears several teams are poised for success in 2019.
Bishop Canevin aims to resume winning tradition
Outside of the locker room at Bishop Canevin, there is a plaque that honors legendary coach Bob Jacoby. The quote on it features six words that showcase what he demanded from his teams: “48 minutes of tough Canevin football.”
With options under center, Penn-Trafford could go off script offensively
Senior Gabe Dunlap and junior Ethan Carr once competed for the starting quarterback spot at Penn-Trafford. The friendly competition brought out the best in each athlete as they pushed each other to improve.
West Greene ready to build off successful 2018 season
If West Greene’s 2018 season was turned into a movie script, producers might shy away from it because it wouldn’t seem realistic.
Monessen looks to build on WPIAL playoff appearance
When Mike Blainfield took the Monessen coaching job in 2017, his goal was to restore pride in a program that had slipped from its accustomed lofty heights.
Coach: ‘This is not the same Mapletown football team’
In his 39 years as a high school football coach — most of them spent as the head man at Mapletown — George Messich has seen plenty of the good, the bad and the ugly. Last season was too much of the latter.
Jefferson-Morgan football team relies on competition to improve
Competition for playing time tends to bring out the best in everyone. Young or less-experienced players give their all to make coaches take notice, and established players, in turn, step up their game to avoid losing playing time.
Chartiers-Houston hopes to end 2-year playoff absence
Chartiers-Houston stopped short of the WPIAL football playoffs two seasons in a row. The Bucs hope to avoid a three-peat.
Short-handed Avella football team returns experienced skill group
The conversation has taken place many times over the past decade. Avella football coach Ryan Cecchini, in his ninth season, and longtime Mapletown coach George Messich often talk numbers — or lack thereof.
Riverview will rely on versatility in hopes of successful season
As his team went through summer workouts, Riverview coach Todd Massack said he made sure to remind his players they need to learn and be comfortable at multiple positions.
Senior-heavy Leechburg expects to take next step after .500 campaign
There was a ton of positive energy and momentum surrounding the Leechburg when last season wrapped up.
Small roster Imani Christian hopes for happier ending
Imani Christian is faced with a steep task to begin 2019, but it is not necessarily something new.
Typical high expectations fuel healthier Clairton
Clairton’s football players, to a man, know the anticipation of the fanbase.
Positive end to ’18 season serves as catalyst for Springdale
It might not seem like much on the surface, but Springdale’s Week 10 nonconference victory over Vincentian Academy has proven to be an offseason springboard.
