Football
MSA Sports Countdown – Top 25 WPIAL Stories From 2014 – 12/28/2014
December 28, 2014
It has become a tradition like no other...at least during the holidays here at MSA Sports. It's time to look back at another high school sports year with the top stories from around the WPIAL in 2014. We begin our countdown with the five stories that ended up #25 through #21. {Left: Central Valley Warriors football team celebrates at Heinz Field after edging West Allegheny in the 2014 AAA football title game} #25 - Game, Set, Match and Gold The unique streak continued in 2014 for Sewickley Academy. 2009 was the last time a Panthers duo did not win gold the WPIAL boys doubles tennis tournament. back in April, the Sewickley Academy tandem of Ryan Gex and Luke Vith won gold in Class AA.Scholastic Notebook – 12/19/2014
December 19, 2014
When are two Bucs worth nearly 20 apiece? When you watch Sydney Bordonaro and Natalie Myers play basketball. Bordonaro and Myers are standouts on the Burrell Bucs girls basketball team. They could end up being a one-two scoring punch for the ages. Bordonaro is a 5-foot-7 senior guard while Myers is a 5-11 sophomore forward. After Thursday night’s games, Bordonaro was averaging exactly 20 points a game. Myers was averaging 18.6. They had helped Burrell to a 7-0 record. Over the past 31 seasons, there have only been four duos in the WPIAL who have averaged 20 points or more for the regular season. There is a chance Bordonaro and Myers will become the fifth.2015 WPIAL Football Alignment Changes
December 16, 2014
The WPIAL Board of Control has approved changes in the football alignment for next season forced by the merger of Kittanning and Ford City High Schools to form Armstrong High School starting in the fall of 2015. Armstrong High School will be a AAA school and has been placed in the Greater Allegheny Conference with Franklin Regional, Gateway, Greensburg-Salem, Hampton, Hollidaysburg, Indiana, Knoch and Mars. Yough moves from the Greater Allegheny Conference to the Big Nine Conference (soon to be Big Ten?) with Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, Thomas Jefferson, Trinity, Uniontown and West Mifflin.
2014 PIAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RESULTS
December 14, 2014
When the final second ticked off, closing out a gray and chilly final weekend of football in Pennsylvania, three of the champions crowned in Hershey for 2014 wore the gold crown in 2013 as well. While the WPIAL struggled to a 1-3 weekend, the theme of the finals was 'repeat' as St. Joe's Prep in AAAA, Archbishop Wood in AAA and South Fayette in AA all claimed a second consecutive state championship, while Bishop Guilfoyle in Class A from District 6 captured the schools first ever PIAA football title. Here are ALL of the final results from the 2014 PIAA Football Playoffs. All results with (MSA) after can be heard archived on The Network. 2014 PIAA CLASS AAAA CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL GAME:
Pine-Richland Falls In A Wild Finish in State Quad-A Title Game
December 13, 2014
In 2003, the Pine-Richland Rams played what has been called the most memorable game in PIAA Championship history, falling to Manheim Central 39-38 in overtime in blizzard conditions. The 2014 Quad A championship game may also go down in the books as one of the best ever, as the Rams rallied from a 21-point, fourth quarter deficit and had a chance to claim the title, before falling to St. Joseph’s Prep 49-41 at Hersheypark Stadium. The Hawks claimed their second consecutive championship with the victory.
South Fayette Runs By Dunmore For Second Straight PIAA AA Crown
One decision can change everything. Just ask Jack Henzes. After electing to go for a touchdown on a 4th and goal at the South Fayette 5-yard line, up 16-14, and failing, Henzes, the long-time Dunmore coach, would see his grip on the PIAA AA Championship slip away. On the first play after the defensive stand, South Fayette (16-0) tailback Hunter Hayes would burst through a hole and go 95 yards for a go-ahead score, lifting the Lions to a 28-16 win over Dunmore (14-2) at Hersheypark Stadium. The win is the second in a row in the AA Championship for the Lions, who routed Imhotep Charter 41-0 a year ago. The victory also extended South Fayette’s winning streak to 32-straight games, making them the first AA team to ever repeat as Champions.
Archbishop Wood Bullies Central Valley For Second Straight AAA Crown
December 12, 2014
For the second year in a row, Archbishop Wood used a bludgeoning rushing attack to run away with the PIAA AAA State Championship. The Vikings (14-1) rushed for 379 yards, taking down WPIAL Champion Central Valley 33-14 on Friday night at Hersheypark Stadium. Villanova recruit Jarrett McClenton, who surpassed 2,000 rushing yards on the season on the opening drive, ran for 230 yards and four touchdowns. His lead blocker, fullback Alex Arcangeli, rushed for 132 yards and another score for the Vikings, who have won three AAA titles in four years.
Clairton Falls Inches Short in PIAA Class A Football Championship Game
An old saying is that defense wins championships and that was the case in the PIAA Class A State Championship on Friday afternoon as the Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders shut down the Clairton Bears offense when it counted to claim a 19-18 victory at Hersheypark Stadium. The Bears entered the championship game averaging 62 points per game and had a chance of breaking a national scoring record. The win for Bishop Guilfoyle gives the Marauders a perfect 16-0 season and ended the Bears’ dreams, finishing at 15-1.2014 MSA SPORTS ELITE ELEVEN
Pine-Richland quarterback Ben DiNucci and South Fayette’s Brett Brumbaugh are prolific passers whose senior seasons have been very much alike in terms of statistics and team success. DiNucci and Brumbaugh are also alike in the MSA Sports staff eyes. They are both players of the year. The MSA Sports staff found it impossible to separate the two in terms of accomplishments this season. So, the two have been selected co-Players of the Year. DiNucci and Brumbaugh also lead the MSA Sports’ Elite 11. The all-star team is made up of the top 11 players in the WPIAL, regardless of position. Here is a look at the players of the year and the Elite 11. CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR - BRETT BRUMBAUGH, SOUTH FAYETTE QB, 6-4, 195, SR.MSA Sports Top Ten – WPIAL Wrestling – 12/11/2014
December 11, 2014
Here are the latest Top 10 rankings in WPIAL Team Wrestling. Every Thursday through January, MSA Sports ranks the top ten teams in both the WPIAL Class AAA and Class AA team wrestling. Don't miss Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle Show every Monday at 7:00pm AND weekly matches broadcast on Wednesday's and select weekends only here on the MSA Sports Network. Section records in parenthesis. WPIAL CLASS AAA: 1. Franklin Regional Panthers (1-0) (Last Week *) 2. Latrobe Wildcats (1-0) (Last Week *) 3. Canon-McMillan Big Macs (1-0) (Last Week *)Big Game Hunting – Week Sixteen
December 10, 2014
For the first time since 2007 we have all four District Seven Champions to write about on the final week of the Pennsylvania high school football season. Can the WPIAL go 4-0 this weekend? Not sure, but it is going to be so much fun to find out and, the best place to find out --- is right here on the MSA Sports Network. The team will be in Hershey all weekend long bringing you every minute of every game. If during the weekend you can’t find Bobby “O” in the stadium he will be working his second job as the guy who determines what does and does not taste good when coated with chocolate. So far, they haven’t found anything he doesn’t like, but they have vowed to keep trying. Only four games in the state, all featured right here in the final Big Game Hunting of the year.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 12/07/2014
December 7, 2014
The Road to Hershey concludes with a District 7 party in chocolatetown this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have ALL four PIAA football state championship games as the WPIAL goes for a first ever sweep of golden footballs in Hershey. We also get hot and heavy into the winter sports season with section play starting in boys and girls basketball and scholastic wrestling, plus we have PIHL high school hockey, men's college basketball, Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle, the PIHL Power Play Show and the debut of the WPIAL Roundball Report ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, December 8th: TALK SHOW - Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle at 7:00pm on MSAsports.net
All Four PIAA Semifinals Weekend Game Recaps
December 6, 2014
Four WPIAL teams have improved to 15-0 and now have their ticket punched for Hershey and the PIAA football championships, the first time since 2007 that the WPIAL is sending all four of its champions to the state finals. On Friday, Central Valley won a back-and-forth Class AAA thriller while after a tight opening quarter, Clairton cruised in Class A. Then on Saturday, Pine-Richland had to come from behind to pull out the victory while South Fayette was impressive throughout. Here are recaps from the Rams, the Warriors, the Lions and the Bears PIAA Semifinals victory on a wet and cold weekend. Thanks to Josh Rowntree, Bob Gregg, Sean Meyers and Don Rebel for their help on these recaps.Big Game Hunting – Week Fifteen
December 3, 2014
The WPIAL Champions avoided any talk of a “WPIAL Championship Hangover” by taking care of business in the state quarter-finals. A perfect 56-0 mark for the District 7 Champions collectively heading into the state semi-finals, congratulations to all the teams that have reached the final-four in the state of Pennsylvania. It is a remarkable accomplishment. Winners head to Hershey now, so there is chocolate on the line. That means; in addition to opposing defenses every player must now watch out for Mike Azadian as well. See how tough things get, as you get deeper into the playoffs?This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 12/01/2014
December 1, 2014
The Road to Hershey continues this week as we welcome in both the month of December and the 2014-2015 winter scholastic sports season this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have ALL four WPIAL football champions in action in the PIAA Semifinals right here on The Network, along with plenty of PIHL high school hockey, men's college basketball and the debut of WPIAL high school boys and girls basketball and scholastic wrestling, plus the debut editions of Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle and the PIHL Power Play Show here at MSAsports.net Monday, December 1st: TALK SHOW - Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle at 7:00pm on MSAsports.netBig Game Hunting – Week Fourteen 2014
November 26, 2014
The four WPIAL champions venture into the PIAA tournament this coming weekend carrying the District 7 banner with them. These teams hold the hopes of garnering state titles 36-39 for the WPIAL firmly in their hearts. MSA Sports follows each team in the PIAA Quarters. The WPIAL champs enter the PIAA tournament with a combined five state titles, Clairton owns four and South Fayette one. Good news is that no quarter-final opponent has ever won a PIAA championship. A pair of District 7 quarterbacks could potentially break all-time state records in this tournament. We continue to go Big Game Hunting!Scholastic Notebook – 11/23/2014
November 23, 2014
There was the WPIAL regular season, then the playoffs, and now another season begins for four WPIAL teams. The four WPIAL champions begin the PIAA playoffs next weekend with four quarterfinal games. Sites and times have been determined for all of the games. Here is a look at the matchups for the WPIAL champs: CLASS AAAA - PINE-RICHLAND VS. STATE COLLEGE – This game will be played Saturday at Mansion Park in Altoona at 1 p.m. State College’s record certainly isn’t impressive. The Little Lions are only 6-6. But they are fresh off a terrific defensive performance against McDowell Saturday night.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 11/23/2014
Now that the journey on the Highway to Heinz has ended, it's time to take a spin on the Road to Hershey this week here on the MSA Sports Network. All four WPIAL football champions will be in action in the PIAA Quarterfinals and all four games are right here on The Network.2014 WPIAL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RESULTS
The two things this years District 7 football champions all had in common were they had previously won a title at Heinz Field and that they won this years crown with a perfect record. South Fayette successfully repeated in Class AA, Clairton made it six championships in seven years in Class A, Central Valley captured their second title in the schools five years of existence and Pine-Richland is golden again for the first time since 2003. Three top-seed and the Bears as a #2-seed prevail in a postseason where there were few surprises and only the strong survived. Here are ALL of the final results from the 2014 WPIAL Football Playoffs.
Central Valley Ends West Allegheny Reign in AAA
November 22, 2014
In what was an instant classic -- but what would anyone expect from two Parkway Conference teams -- the Central Valley Warriors scored in the final minute to defeat the West Allegheny Indians 35-28 to claim their second WPIAL Class AAA championship in the school’s five year history. The win also continues the dream of a perfect season for the Warriors, now 13-0. (Picture left: CV Warriors from left Kurt Reinstadtler, B.J. Powell, John George & Dante Lucci celebrate gold in locker room)
