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PIHL Notebook – 01/24/2017
January 24, 2017
With less than one month remaining in the regular season, the PIHL playoff picture is now in full focus. Subsequently, every game seems to carry extra importance with the postseason looming. However, this weekend will provide the players and fans alike a chance to enjoy a skillful exhibition, as four PIHL All-Star Games will be held. Take a quick glimpse at how the past week unfolded, and what's on the horizon this week, as well. Melting the Ice (the longest unbeaten streak in each classification)PIHL Notebook – 01/17/2017
January 17, 2017
With just about one month remaining in the PIHL regular season, the action on the ice is really heating up. MSA Sports' comprehensive coverage has been in full force this month, with a bevy of audio and video broadcasts, as well as the weekly Chatham University PIHL Power Play Show, and of course, the PIHL Notebook. Here's a quick look at the latest happenings around the league. Melting the Ice (the longest unbeaten streak in each classification)PIHL Notebook – 01/102017
January 10, 2017
This edition of the PIHL Notebook is jam packed, as each and every game seemingly takes on more importance with the playoffs on the horizon. It will be a particularly busy month of hockey coverage for the MSA Sports Network, as January features a bevy of audio and video broadcasts of marquee matchups. Here is all the noteworthy news around the PIHL for this week. Melting the Ice (the longest unbeaten streak in each classification)PIHL Notebook – 01/03/2017
January 3, 2017
With the holidays now in the rear-view mirror, PIHL action is back in full force this week. However, because there were no contests last week and just a smattering of action on Monday night, there will be a slight change to the format of the PIHL Notebook this week. Instead of looking at the hottest teams in each classification, we'll take a glance at the players who are the front runners for the Most Valuable Player in each class thus far. Melting the Ice (MVPs of each classification this season)PIHL Notebook – 12/27/2016
December 27, 2016
With New Years quickly approaching, the PIHL Notebook is planning to keep a resolution to watch more hockey in 2017. Despite a limited schedule of action because of the holiday break, there were a few notable changes in the standings since last week, including some movement in the longest current winning streaks. Without further ado, let's delve further into that aspect. Melting the Ice (the top winning streaks in each classification)PIHL Notebook – 12/20/2016
December 20, 2016
In the spirit of the holidays, the PIHL Notebook gives thanks for the exciting three months of PIHL action so far, and the next few months should produce more fantastic action. With Christmas and New Years on the horizon, the slate of games is particularly light for the next few weeks, with contests only being played tonight and on Thursday, followed by a league-wide break until Jan. 2. Melting the Ice (the top winning streaks in each classification)
WPIAL Alum Q&A – Kason Harrell
One of the biggest upsets of the college basketball season came about a month ago, when little-known Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne defeated third-ranked Indiana University. While the victory put IPFW in the national spotlight, some folks around Western Pennsylvania knew about the Mastadons previously. That's because Kason Harrell, a former standout for Hempfield Area, has been playing for the team the past two seasons. Harrell is this week's feature for the WPIAL Alum Q&A.WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Fifteen
December 13, 2016
After heat acclimation, training camp, scrimmages, Week Zero and 15 weeks of district and state play, the 2016 football season has finally concluded in Pennsylvania. In the inaugural year of six classifications, two WPIAL representatives claimed gold in Hershey. After a lopsided opening week loss, Beaver Falls appeared to be a longshot to achieve its lofty goals, but the Tigers persevered from that setback, and never lost again. In contrast, Steel Valley never faced adversity this year, as the Ironmen turned in one of the most dominant seasons in state history, winning every game by mercy rule. Here are the top plays that helped both of those teams secure PIAA Championships. 1-2. Steel Valley 49, Southern Columbia 7
St. Joe’s Prep Pounds Central Catholic for PIAA 6-A Title
December 11, 2016
For the third time in four seasons, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (14-2) made the cross-state strip to Hershey, in search of what would be a second-consecutive PIAA title. However, this trip was not as sweet as last year’s 21-18 victory over Parkland, as the Vikings fell to St. Joseph’s Prep (14-0) by a final score of 42-7 in the first ever Class 6A Championship Game. Despite the lopsided margin of victory, both teams were scoreless after 12 minutes of play. It was D’Andre Swift, the University of Georgia commit, who broke the frigid air at HersheyPark Stadium Saturday evening with a 34-yard touchdown scamper with a little under five minutes to go in the first half.
First PIAA Crown for Beaver Falls in Win Over Middletown
December 10, 2016
Beaver Falls (13-1) forced six turnovers and held District 3 Champion Middletown (14-1) to negative rushing yards, claiming the PIAA 3A Championship, 30-13, at Hersheypark Stadium Saturday. The Tigers intercepted Blue Raiders Quarterback Chase Snavely five times and sacked him five additional times, surrendering just 118 total yards in the game. “It’s exciting, it’s history,” Tigers coach Ryan Matsook said. “The history isn’t happening to a more deserving group of kids than the kids I’ve got. “
Steel Valley Slams Southern Columbia for Perfect 2-A State Crown
15 games. 15 wins. 15 mercy rules. Steel Valley (15-0) completed one of the most dominant seasons in WPIAL and PIAA history with a 49-7 thrashing of defending PIAA 2A Champion Southern Columbia (15-1) in the PIAA 2A Championship at Hersheypark Stadium Saturday. The win completes a season for Steel Valley in which they reached the high school football mercy rule running clock in every contest, outscoring opponents 806-121. “I think that’s a Hall of Fame Team,” Steel Valley head coach Rod Steele said. “To go 15-0 with 15 mercy rules, I don’t know if anyone has ever done that.”WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Fourteen
December 6, 2016
The WPIAL has almost always enjoyed strong showings in the state football playoffs, as the district boasts the most PIAA football titles ever. With the expanded classifications, five WPIAL teams had an opportunity to advance to Hershey. While West Allegheny's terrific season came to an end, the other four representatives all advanced. Thus, this week's installment highlights the plays that helped send each team to "Chocolate World." 1. Beaver Falls 14, Central Martinsburg 7WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Thirteen
November 29, 2016
While four WPIAL champions were crowned two weeks ago at Heinz Field, last weekend the 1A and 2A titles were on the line at Robert Morris. Meanwhile, three WPIAL representatives began their path in the state playoffs, and two of those teams claimed victory. This week's edition of the best plays includes a superstar's game-changing pick 6 in 1A, the long touchdown that started a rout in 2A, and two district teams getting the job done in the first quarters en route to PIAA victories. 1. Clairton 26, Jeannette 6
Steel Valley Dominant in Winning WPIAL 2-A Title
November 26, 2016
Total dominance. That has been Steel Valley’s motto the entire 2016 football season and did not come close to stopping Saturday night at Joe Walton Stadium at Robert Morris University. The top-seeded Ironmen (13-0) ran away with their 13th consecutive mercy rule victory in the WPIAL 2A Championship Game, beating No. 3 Neshannock 49-14. "It means a lot to bring this back to Steel Valley," said head coach Rod Steele. "The Mon Valley has always been known for hard-nosed kids, good programs and you can throw us in there now as Champions."WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Twelve 2016
November 22, 2016
The dream of every team when the season kicked off nearly three months ago was to claim the WPIAL Championship. For four of those teams, that dream became a reality at Heinz Field. Two of the title contests came down to the final plays, while the other two matchups were largely decided by key moments in the first half. In Class 5A, a gutsy call to go for a two-point conversion gave the Indians the W, in 3A, the Tigers sealed the victory with a late TD run, while Central Catholic used a punt return to take command in the first half of the 6A game, and Thomas Jefferson's defense tilted the field in the Jags favor late in the second quarter in 4A. Here are the biggest plays of Championship Friday at Heinz Field. 1 West Allegheny 38, McKeesport 37
TJ Storms Past New Castle to Repeat as WPIAL Champs
November 18, 2016
For many teams across the district, winning a WPIAL Championship seems like a giant mountain to climb. For Thomas Jefferson, that mountain feels more like a hill. Quinton Hill, that is. Hill rushed for 248 yards on 39 carries and scored three touchdowns for the Jaguars as they rolled to a 42-0 victory over New Castle in the WPIAL Class 4A Championship Game at Heinz Field. The Jaguars repeat as WPIAL champions, winning in the Class AAA title clash last season also with a convincing shutout. After their semifinal victory last week, coach Bill Cherpak said his Thomas Jefferson squad was "going home" to Heinz Field. Maybe the Rooney family should charge rent to Coach Cherpak, as his Jaguars have won six WPIAL titles at Heinz Field since 2004.
Beaver Falls Avenges Lone Loss With 3-A Title Win Over Aliquippa
After losing the season opener to Aliquippa 44-13, Beaver Falls Coach Ryan Matsook said every game was important throughout the rest of the season. Obviously, his team believed in that sentiment. The Tigers have not lost since with the latest win being a 35-22 victory over that same Aliquippa team, extending their winning streak to 11 games in the WPIAL Class 3A title game at Heinz Field. The Tigers grabbed a lead and had to hold on tight, withstanding a furious Aliquippa rally late in the fourth quarter.WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Eleven 2016
November 15, 2016
As good as the regular season and the first playoff week were, it's likely that this past week's action provided some of the top moments of the entire campaign. With trips at Heinz Field on the line in 3A-6A, and spots in the semifinals in the balance in 1A and 2A, the crucial plays carried even more importance. This week's selection includes a jaw-dropping hook-and-lateral in an improbable win, a clinching block on an extra-point attempt with no time on the clock, a winning touchdown run in the final minute in a classic 3A bout, and a touchdown that put the exclamation point on a Cinderella run in 4A. 1. McKeesport 41, Gateway 38WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Ten 2016
November 8, 2016
While football realignment made for an unusual format to begin the 2016 playoffs (first round games in 1 and 2A, quarterfinals in 3-6A), the intensity and excitement was still very much present. So, too, were upsets, as the number of lower-seeded teams that prevailed nearly reached double digits. Among the tops plays for the first week of the postseason were a winning field goal nearly as time expired in 6A, a go-ahead touchdown with just seconds left in 1A, a shocker sealed by an interception in 4A, and a team continuing its magical run in 3A by knocking off a perennial powerhouse. Without further ado, here are the best plays from Week 10. 1. Pine-Richland 35, Bethel Park 32
