MSA Sports Saturday’s Scholastic Starz

By: Bruce Markey
Sunday, September 6, 2015 | 9:53 AM

The first Saturday of the 2015 high school football season in District 7 and District 8 was originally a light one, with only three games on the schedule. However four games postponed due to lightning and storms in the WPIAL from Friday night made for plenty of gridiron action in the morning, in the afternoon and at night. Here are the players who avoided those pesky cramps and out-muscled their opponents to close out opening weekend.

Michael Pope – North Allegheny

Catholic or not, a lot of people are excited about Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to the United State. Many North Allegheny fans are just as thrilled that another Pope is here to stay. Michael Pope rushed for 106 yards and scored twice on a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs as the Tigers overcame an early exit and defeated the visiting Seneca Valley Raiders in a Class AAAA Northern Eight Conference fray postponed from Friday night.

Chris Gordon & Amos Luptak – Quaker Valley

It’s been several years since Quaker Valley played a Class AA Midwestern Athletic Conference fray after spending the past seven years in the Century Conference. But after waiting an extra 24 hours to play, QV’s return to the MAC was very ‘special’. The Quakers Chris Gordan returned the opening kick 91 yards for a touchdown, then after falling behind in the second half, Amos Luptak returned another kick 89-yard for a score in a 21-19 win over the host Ellwood City Wolverines.

Kareem Hall – Jeannette

Jeannette began this season only two victories shy of their schools historic 700th victory, a number only New Castle in the WPIAL has reached. It didn’t take long Saturday afternoon to be off and running toward win #699. On the very first play from scrimmage, Kareem Hall raced 40-yard for a score, then added another touchdown later on a 3-yard run as he gained 138 yards on the ground in the Jayhawks 38-6 triumph over the host Riverview Raiders in a Class A Eastern Conference fray.

Evan Kendall – Shenango

On one hand, you could look at Evan Kendall’s numbers and say he struggled in a rare AM contest, however when it came to putting up points, the Shenango quarterback must have had his Wheaties for breakfast. Kendall only connected on 3 of 12 passes in this delayed Class A Big 7 Conference fray, but he threw a pair of touchdowns and also scored on a 1-yard run in the Wildcats 47-0 pasting of the Western Beaver Golden Beavers.

Frank Antuono – Neshannock

Whether it was on the ground with his legs or through the air with his arm, Frank Antuono had the midas touch for Neshannock in a Class A Big 7 Conference fray between a pair of Preseason Top Ten teams. Antuono was nearly perfect, hitting on 13 of 14 passes for 102 yards plus he carries the ball 11 times for 151 yards and five touchdowns on runs of 29, 4, 45, 4 and 24 yards as the Lancers broke open a tied game at halftime with 25 second half points en route to a 46-21 win over the visiting South Side Rams.

Tags: Jeannette