Penn Hills notebook: Dante Cephas dons blue and white in season-opening win

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, September 10, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Two Penn Hills graduates had different experiences for Penn State’s season-opening win over West Virginia at Beaver Stadium. Dante Cephas, who transferred in from Kent State, caught one pass for 22 yards during the Nittany Lions’ 38-15 win.

Daequan Hardy, one of Penn State’s top reserve cornerbacks, missed the game due to injury.

Dugger avoids slump

Jaden Dugger, a safety for Georgetown, made big strides in the offseason. During a season-opening win for the Hoyas over Marist, Dugger finished with seven tackles and two pass breakups. During Dugger’s freshman season, he recorded 17 tackles in eight games.

Dugger’s pass breakups against Marist equaled his entire total from last season.

Runners compete at Gateway

Sawyer Kinney and Nevaeh Mosely led their teams at the Gateway Invitational by placing 23rd at the Gateway Invitational. Moseley, who finished in 24:17.10, was one of two Penn Hills’ girls who competed at the cross country event along with Alonah Darwin Jackson, who finished 49th.

Kinney led the boys by finishing the race in 19:32.18. Xavier Nicholas (48th), Avin Keller (64th) and Adam Rosemeyer (68th) also ran for the Indians.

Indians seek spark

Penn Hills girls soccer team is still finding its legs in Section 3-3A play. The Indians have started 0-3 and been outscored 11-0. Penn Hills played its closest game of the season, a 1-0 loss to Greensburg Salem, on Sept. 6.

Smith makes debut

Ameira Smith debuted with the Central State women’s volleyball program against Wisconsin Parkside. Smith finished with two kills for the Marauders.

Central State competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which competes in Division II. The Marauders are 0-4 this season.

Thomas contributes

Corey Thomas Jr., who plays outside linebacker for Arkon, made three tackles for the Zips during its 24-21 season-opening loss to Temple. Thomas also broke up a pass for Akron.

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