Football

Norwin’s Aaron Schmook (right) celebrates in the end zone with Dom Barca after scoring a touchdown against Latrobe on Sept. 3.

Norwin, kept out of playoffs by tiebreakers, savors win in season finale

November 7, 2021

Norwin players and coaches were all smiles after their final football game of the season.

Penn Hills’ Jaden Dugger beats Upper St. Clair’s Mateo Cepullio for a touchdown on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 at Upper St. Clair High School.

Steady improvement, versatile offense give Penn Hills playoff confidence

Penn Hills coach Jon LeDonne might’ve preferred a bye for the first week of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, but admits being scheduled to host Franklin Regional in the first round had its advantages.

Peters Township’s Jacob Mascosko avoids North Hills’ Liam Tracey during WPIAL Class 5A playoff action Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at Martorelli Stadium.

Long passes let No. 11 Peters Township upset North Hills in WPIAL playoffs

November 6, 2021

In many ways, Peters Township quarterback Sam Miller epitomizes his football team.

Peters’ Jacob Macosko avoids North Hills’ Cooper Thompson and Liam Tracey on the way to a touchdown during Class 5A playoff action on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at Martorelli Stadium.

2021 WPIAL statistical leaders for rushing, passing, receiving in Week 10

Top performers for Week 10 of high school football in Western Pennsylvania.

New Brighton’s Keandre Williams catches a pass during practice on Aug. 5, 2021, in New Brighton.

WPIAL Class 3A/2A/A roundup: No. 13 New Brighton upsets No. 4 Washington in overtime

November 5, 2021

Keandre Williams scored on a 10-yard run in overtime and No. 13 New Brighton’s defense stopped No. 4 Washington’s two-point rushing attempt to claim a 21-20 upset victory in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A football playoffs Friday night in Washington County.

Sto-Rox and Shady Side Academy players meet at midfield before their WPIAL Class 2A playoff game Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at Peters Township.

Sto-Rox beats Shady Side Academy, pushes way into WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals

After Friday’s game, Sto-Rox’s football players lined up in the end zone, got down and started doing push-ups.

Armstrong quarterback Cadin Olsen throws during 7 on 7 completion on July 7, 2021 at Freeport Area High School.

WPIAL Class 6A/5A/4A roundup: Laurel Highlands, Armstrong earn 1st postseason victories

Tahji Hooper ran for two touchdowns and caught another as No. 10 Laurel Highlands picked up its first playoff win in school history by defeating No. 7 Beaver, 28-27, in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A football playoffs Friday night.

Woodland Hills and Bethel Park players square off in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs Nov. 5, 2021, at Bethel Park.

Deontae Williams moves chains, leads Woodland Hills to 5A win over Bethel Park

Woodland Hills’ Deontae Williams rarely leaves the field for the Wolverines. So it was fitting that the senior quarterback was able to convert several fourth-down conversions in leading Woodland Hills to a 27-23 win on the road over Bethel Park in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs Friday night.

South Side players take the field before a WPIAL playoff game against Ligonier Valley on Nov. 5, 2021, at South Side.

Early surge pushes South Side past Ligonier Valley in Class 2A

From one end of the WPIAL to the other, Ligonier Valley traveled to South Side on Friday — a span of 83 miles — for its first appearance in the WPIAL football playoffs.

Southmoreland’s Anthony Govern struggles to maintain hold of the ball as he is brought down by East Allegheny’s defense Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at Southmoreland High School.

East Allegheny’s quickness too much for Southmoreland

There was plenty of excitement in Alverton on Friday.

Hampton’s students get ready for kickoff in their first round game with Plum on Nov. 5, 2021, at Hampton’s Fridley Field.

Hampton holds off Plum in WPIAL Class 4A 1st round, stays unbeaten

The No. 4-seeded Hampton Talbots remained perfect, but they used an imperfect performance to stay that way.

Freeport’s Brady Stivenson warms up before a playoff game against Ambridge on Nov. 5, 2021, at Freeport.

Second-half surge lifts Freeport over Ambridge, into WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals

It took Freeport a quarter to get its offense going Friday night in a WPIAL Class 3A first-round game against Ambridge at Freeport Area Athletic Stadium.

Serra Catholic’s Elijah Ward carries against Neshannock in the WPIAL Class 2A first round Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.

Serra Catholic too much for Neshannock in Class 2A first round

Sixth-seeded Serra Catholic scored on all five of its first-half possessions en route to a convincing 61-21 victory over No. 11 Neshannock in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs at Norwin on Friday night.

A crowd gathers outside Leechburg Veterans Stadium waiting to see the first home playoff game in the facility’s 75-year history. Leechburg faced California in a Class A game Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.

Leechburg beats California in school’s 1st playoff game at Veterans Stadium

It was a memorable night for Leechburg’s first home playoff game at Veterans Stadium.

Penn Hills and Franklin Regional meet in a WPIAL Class 5A playoff game Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.

Dugger brothers connect for 4 touchdowns to lead Penn Hills past Franklin Regional

Penn Hills sophomore quarterback Julian Dugger has yearned to play a clean game all season.

Burrell’s Devin Beattie (11) looks for yardage while being pulled down by Mt. Pleasant’s Jackson Hutter (12) and Joseph Laychak (55) during the first half of a WPIAL Class 3A playoff game Friday night.

Mt. Pleasant routs Burrell to deliver coach’s 1st playoff win

Mt. Pleasant scored touchdowns on its first four possessions and rolled to a 41-7 victory over Burrell on Friday in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs at Vikings Stadium.

Knoch’s Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin escapes West Allegheny tacklers in a first round Class 3A playoff game on Nov. 4, 2011 won by the Knights, 28-7. The senior running back dedicated the game to his girlfriend, Alexis Summers, who died in an auto accident three days earlier.

Through the years: With heavy hearts, Knoch topped West Allegheny in 2011

November 4, 2021

Each week throughout the high school football season, the Valley News Dispatch will take a look back at the games, players and events that are part of local scholastic history.