Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel earn key conference victories

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, October 1, 2017 | 11:00 PM

The Shady Side Academy football team traveled to Dormont on Friday to take on Keystone Oaks and returned home with a thrilling 35-28 win.

Once again, SSA's Skyy Moore was the driving force as he connected with Billy Frolich for a 39-yard TD in the fourth quarter to break a 28-28 tie. He also hooked up with Dino Tomlin for a 32-yard TD, ran for a 3-yard score, scored on a 2-point conversion run and returned an interception 54 yards for another touchdown. He finished with 293 passing yards as the Indians improved to 3-2 in the Class 3A Allegheny Conference.

Keystone Oaks, which entered the game unbeaten in conference play, fell to 2-1. Connor Leemhuis booted field goals of 25 and 32 yards and converted three PATs for SSA.

“That was a big win for us,” SSA coach Chuck DiNardo said. “They were undefeated in the conference, and they were at home. We played well, and we'll need to play well against Valley.”

The Indians will host Valley (1-4, 1-2) on Friday. The Vikings dropped a 20-18 nonconference game to Ellwood City on Friday in a game that was halted with 1 minute, 40 seconds left after an on-field brawl.

Foxes earn 2nd victory

Fox Chapel (2-4, 2-3) dominated Moon (3-3, 2-2) from the opening kickoff and breezed to a 42-6 win on Friday in Allegheny 9 Conference action. Nick Gizzo led the FC scoring parade as he rushed for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Micah Morris added a pair of TDs and rushed for 100 yards as the Foxes jumped out to a 28-6 halftime lead.

Gizzo scored on runs of 21, 59 and 80 yards, and Morris had 3- and 26-yard scores. Drew Witt caught a 23-yard scoring strike from Gizzo. Andrew Jeffrey was successful on all six PATs.

The Foxes are in the middle of a logjam as far as the playoff picture. West Allegheny and Upper St. Clair are 4-0 followed by Woodland Hills at 3-1 and Moon and Hampton at 2-2.

“This was a total team win,” FC coach Tom Loughran said. “It's what we need to do every week. Nick played an outstanding game, and our offensive line opened up some tremendous holes. The defense was dominating.”

The Foxes will host Hampton on Friday. The Talbots lost to Woodland Hills, 31-21, last week.

Marty Stewart is a freelance writer.

Tags: Fox Chapel, Shady Side Academy