Football
MSA Sports Countdown of Top 25 WPIAL Stories of 2013 – 12/28/13
December 28, 2013
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 2013. We begin our countdown with the five stories that ended up #25 through #21. #25 - Playoff Drought Ends In a year when the Pittsburgh Pirates ended a long Major League Baseball playoff drought, a long WPIAL football playoff drought also came to an end when in Week 9, the Avella Eagles clinched a WPIAL playoffs berth with a 55-14 thrashing of Bentworth to clinch fourth place in the Class A Tri-County South Conference.Scholastic Notebook – 12/20/2013
December 20, 2013
Every two years, the PIAA realigns classifications in all sports. The PIAA’s realignment for the next two years brings about some noteworthy changes in WPIAL sports. The PIAA bases its classifications on school enrollments. In October, schools had to report the number of boys and girls they had in grades 9 through 11. Earlier this week, the PIAA released the enrollment figures for all schools in the state. Some of the major changes in WPIAL football for the next two years will be: * Gateway drops from Class AAAA to AAA. Since the school opened in the 1950s, Gateway had always played in the WPIAL’s largest classification.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 12/16/2013
December 16, 2013
Like the big guy, we are checking our lists to see who has been naughty and who has been logging on to msasports.net to fall under the nice column all this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have plenty of WPIAL, District 6 and District 9 high school basketball and scholastic wrestling action along with PIHL high school hockey and men's and women's college hoops, plus Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle, the PIHL Power Play Show and the final edition of This Week in the WPIAL as we salute the four WPIAL champions from Coach's Bottleshop and Grille ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, December 16th:Lions Roar to First State Football Title
December 15, 2013
It was a record setting day for the South Fayette Lions, tying a PIAA title game record with 35 first half points, en route to a 41-0 victory over Imhotep Charter to win the Class AA title for the first time in school history. The victory also caps an undefeated season for the Lions, going 16-0. Junior quarterback Brett Brumbaugh became the single season passing leader in WPIAL history, besting his brother Christian’s record of 3,726 yards set in 2010. Brumbaugh set the record in style with a 64-yard touchdown pass to Justin Watson on the second play of the second quarter.
Archbishop Wood Wins PIAA Class AAA Football Title
December 14, 2013
Seventh year head coach Steve Devlin knew adjustments needed to be made and made they were in the Class AAA championship game at Hersheypark Stadium on Friday night as the Archbishop Wood Vikings used a pounding, time consuming ground game to defeat the Bishop McDevitt Crusaders to claim their second PIAA football crown with a 22-10 victory. Jarrett McClenton set a PIAA Class AAA title records with 40 carries and 238 yards as the Vikings used a drive that last just over twelve minutes to extend the lead to 14-3 with 4:05 remaining in regulation time. Archbishop Wood possessed the football for almost 33 minutes of a 48 minute regulation game. The defense did their part, holding the Crusaders to just 19 yards and one first down in the second half.Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic Wins First PIAA Football Crown in Overtime Thriller
December 13, 2013
It was a fairytale ending for the Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic Trojans, claiming a 15-14 victory in overtime after rolling the dice. There was no doubt in Head Coach Bob Revenstahl’s mind, he was going for two and the win. It was, afterall, a decision that paid off in an opening season victory over Apollo-Ridge and it paid off with an undefeated season and a PIAA Class A Football Championship on Friday afternoon at Hersheypark Stadium.2013 MSA SPORTS ELITE ELEVEN
The Elite 11 all-star team this year is full of record breakers. The Elite 11 is made up of the top 11 players in the WPIAL, regardless of position. It is picked by the MSA Sports staff. This year’s Elite 11 includes: the all-time leading passer in WPIAL history; another quarterback who is close to records; a running back who is the leading rusher in Aliquippa history; a quarterback who made history this season with his arm and legs; a receiver who set a school record for receiving yards. Here is a look at the 2013 Elite 11: 2013 PLAYER OF THE YEAR CHASE WINOVICH, THOMAS JEFFERSON QB/RB-LB, 6-4, 220, SENIOR Looking for the top player in the WPIAL? The “Chase” is on.Big Game Hunting – The Football Fourpack for Week 16
December 11, 2013
The final Big Game Hunting of the 2013 season is here, and we are delighted that we still have three teams to talk about in week sixteen. For the 11th time in the history of the state playoffs District 7 will be represented by three teams. The WPIAL will be looking to add to their lead in the chase for state championships, the WPIAL enters this weekend with 33 state championships, districts 3 and 4 are tied for second place with 11 championships each. MSA Sports will have you covered from Hershey for all three district teams vying for titles.Scholastic Notebook – 12/09/2013
December 9, 2013
In 24 hours, basketball player Anthony Richards went from making nothing – to the New Castle record books. It was one of the oddest starts to a season you’ll see from a player, a Jekyll and Hyde thing for Richards, a 5-foot-7 senior guard at New Castle who has been a starter on two WPIAL championship teams. The season started Friday and Richards went scoreless in a victory against West Middlesex. It was hard to believe from one of the best shooters in the WPIAL. He also was 0 for 2 from the free-throw line. But the next night was a totally different story. Richards was “unconscious” from the field, making a school-record nine 3-pointers as New Castle crushed Perry, 88-34. Richards scored all of his 27 points on 3-pointers.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 12/08/2013
December 8, 2013
Well the weather outside is frightful, but the broadcast schedule for the final week of the high school football season is quite delightful this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have all three remaining WPIAL football champions in action this weekend as the Road to Hershey concludes with the PIAA Football Championship Games at Hersheypark Stadium. We also open up section play in boys and girls high school basketball along with the start of section action on the mats in high school wrestling and men's and women's college basketball as well, plus Inside the WPIAL Wrestling Circle and the PIHL Power Play Show ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, December 9th:Road to Hershey Semifinals Recaps
The three remaining WPIAL football champions on the Road to Hershey have all met their final destination of playing for a state title next weekend at Hersheypark Stadium, two of them based on impressive one-sided victories while the other struggled, but prevailed as Pittsburgh Central Catholic, South Fayette and Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic all improved to a perfect 15-0 with PIAA Semifinals on Saturday. PIAA CLASS AAAA: Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings 45 - Lower Dauphin Falcons 0 In a PIAA Semifinal defensive performance for the ages, WPIAL AAAA Champion Pittsburgh Central Catholic (15-0) pounded District 3 Champion Lower Dauphin 45-0 at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona.2013 PIAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
December 7, 2013
Three WPIAL football champions are now a perfect 15-0 and are moving on to Hershey to play for a state football championship. Pittsburgh Central Catholic in AAAA, South Fayette in AA and Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic in A all registered impressive Semifinals victories on Saturday afternoon and will conclude the Road to Hershey next weekend playing for a state crown at Hersheypark Stadium. Here are ALL of the final results through the State Semifinals on Saturday in the 2013 PIAA Football Playoffs, plus the schedule for the state championships in Hershey with the AA and AAAA title games being bumped back from Saturday to Sunday here on the MSA Sports Network.Big Game Hunting – The Football Fourpack for Week 15
December 4, 2013
State semifinals week is here and three district seven teams remain with a seat at the table. We will break down their opponents here in Big Game Hunting week 15. Kudos to West Allegheny as they bow out in week 14 losing to Erie Cathedral Prep here on the MSA Sports Network. Hearing that score and seeing the Indians throughout the regular season makes you just marvel at how good the Ramblers must be. The WPIAL banner remains high aloft, can one, two, or even all three teams, reach week sixteen? PIAA CLASS AAAA: Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings (14-0) vs. Lower Dauphin Falcons (13-1) Saturday December 7th at 1:00 PM @ Mansion Park in Altoona, PA broadcast on the MSA Sports Network by Josh Rowntree and Lou RoodRoad to Hershey Recaps: PIAA Football Saturday Afternoon
November 30, 2013
After winning one of two Friday night, two more WPIAL football champions were in action on Saturday afternoon as both Pittsburgh Central Catholic and South Fayette headed north on Interstate 79. The Quad-A champion Vikings stayed on 79 all the way to Erie while the Double-A champion Lions turned east on Interstate 80 toward Clarion. Both came back home Saturday evening to Southwestern Pennsylvania with a win and the hopes of state gold still alive. Here are the summaries from both of those contests. PIAA CLASS AAAA QUARTERFINALS:Road to Hershey Recaps: PIAA Football Friday Night
November 29, 2013
Two of the four winners on the Highway to Heinz began their journey Friday night on the Road to Hershey. For one experienced traveler, it was deja-vu from 2012 and a short trip in the state playoffs, but for the rookie squad heading out for the first time in the PIAA football postseason, the first ride was very enjoyable. Here are recaps from the two PIAA Football Playoff games involving WPIAL champions from Friday night. PIAA CLASS AAA QUARTERFINALS:Scholastic Notebook – 11/29/2013
It was a pretty big deal this fall when Sto-Rox’s Lenny Williams became the WPIAL all-time leading passer. But it’s looking like Williams’ record might not last more than a year. South Fayette’s Brett Brumbaugh appears to have a very good shot at Williams’ record next year. Let’s look at the numbers and the possibilities: Williams, a senior, finished his career with 8,508 yards. Besides that being the best in WPIAL history, it also was fifth-best in state history. Sto-Rox lost lost last week in the WPIAL Class A finals and the loss means Williams can’t add more distance between himself and Brumbaugh.Big Game Hunting – The Football Fourpack for Week 14
November 27, 2013
Four District Seven teams head off into the PIAA tournament carrying the WPIAL banner with them this weekend after a fantastic championship Saturday at Heinz Field. How will they do and who will they face, we will try to take away some of the mystery for local fans as they get set for the state tournament. AAAA and AA teams from the WPIAL hit the road, heading out of district to play while AAA and A get what amounts to a home game playing within the district. Without further ado let’s go Big Game Hunting.2013 WPIAL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RESULTS
November 25, 2013
It was a clean sweep for Allegheny County as Pittsburgh Central Catholic, West Allegheny, South Fayette and Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic captured WPIAL football championships. For only the second time ever and the first time since USC, West A, South Park & Riverview won in 1997 have schools from one county won all four District 7 football crowns. West Allegheny was the only repeat champion and the Indians were the only top seed to win it all as the other three champs were all #2-seeds. Here are ALL of the results from the 2013 WPIAL Football Playoffs. All games marked with (MSA) after the results can be heard archived here on MSA Sports. 2013 WPIAL CLASS AAAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 11/25/2013
We have no turkey programming for you this holiday week as the weather turns frosty and the calendar turns from November to December this week here on the MSA Sports Network. All four WPIAL football champions are in action this weekend as the Road to Hershey continues with PIAA state football playoff action along with the Class A District 6 champs, plus we have men's and women's college basketball featuring Slippery Rock, Geneva and Penn State-Fayette all here at MSAsports.net Monday, November 25th: No Broadcasts Tuesday, November 26th: No Broadcasts Wednesday, November 27th:Lions Quell the Quips to Capture WPIAL AA Gold
November 23, 2013
For the second time in three years, the Aliquippa Quips and the South Fayette Lions met at Heinz Field to battle for the WPIAL AA Championship. And for the second time since 2010, the Lions ended the Quips season, as South Fayette captured its fourth WPIAL title defeating Aliquippa 34-28. This battle of (12-0) teams was a tremendous back-and-forth contest between top seeded Aliquippa and the second-seeded Lions.
