George Guido: A series of firsts at Richard J. Dilts Stadium

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, August 28, 2018 | 11:15 PM

The first game at Kiski Area’s new Richard J. Dilts Stadium is in the books, so let’s look at the series of firsts for the new facility:

First result: Kiski Area 24, Allderdice 9

First coin toss: Allderdice won and deferred to second half

First play: Allderdice’s Henry Bump kicked off to Kiski Area’s Tracey Morris, 11-yard return

First first down: Kiski Area’s Drew DiNunzio-Biss, 14-yard run

First penalty: Allderdice, illegal block

First touchdown: DiNunzio-Biss 1-yard run, 6:41 left in first quarter

First pass completion: Allderdice quarterback Dalen Duggar to Rashawn Harvey, 2 yards.

It was the first time Kiski Area played a team from the City League since 1965, when the Cavaliers defeated Perry.

The victory also equaled the Cavaliers’ total from last season. Kiski Area feels it is much-improved, and time certainly will tell.

The victory was also the 295th in school history, so reaching 300 wins is a realistic goal.

Next on the schedule is a visit from Shaler as Northern Conference play begins. Shaler comes in on a high note as the school ended its 24-game losing streak Friday with a win over New Castle.

Shaler and Kiski Area haven’t played since 2001, and the Titans hold a commanding 7-1 lead in the all-time series.

Springdale World War I plaque

Springdale doesn’t play a home game until Sept. 14, but fans attending the opener should take note of the refurbished World War I plaque at Veterans Memorial Field.

The plaque is attached to the Lincoln Avenue entrance and has received national recognition as one of 100 centennial memorials around the country.

The World War I Centennial Commission recognized the memorial as part of its 100 cities/100 memorials program commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the first world war.

Pat Murray, quartermaster of the Springdale Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1437, said there were hopes for a ceremony at halftime at one’s of Springdale’s football games this year. But WPIAL rules regarding time allotted to band performances and other intermission activities will delay a ceremony until the high school’s annual Veteran’s Day recognition in November.

VFW Post 1437 and American Legion Post 764 received a grant to refurbish the plaque.

The plaque was installed in 1919 along Pittsburgh Street but was moved to Veterans Memorial Field in 1960.

Springdale’s Veterans Memorial Field was built in 1938 and is named, obviously, for World War I vets. The facility was built as a Works Progress Administration project under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The stone wall architecture around the sides of the stadium is symbolic of that era.

On the other hand, the Leechburg and Valley football stadiums were named after World War II veterans when those stadiums were opened in 1947.

Two more debuts

While Shawn Liotta made his coaching debut at Burrell last Friday, two more new coaches will bring their teams into action this week.

In the case of Riverview’s Todd Massack, it’s a return to his alma mater as the Raiders face Greensburg Central Catholic on the road, and Tim Burk of Deer Lakes will begin his head coaching career at Elizabeth-Forward.

Liotta’s second game will be at home against North Catholic.

Burrell and North Catholic last played in 2003, with Burrell winning 28-7. Burrell is 3-5 overall against the Trojans

George Guido is a Valley News Dispatch scholastic sports correspondent. His column appears Wednesdays.