Sports

Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher threw two touchdowns, ran for two more and intercepted two passes on defense in Week Zero.

5 things we learned in Week Zero of H.S. football

August 28, 2021

Rather than a double-double, two-sport star Rodney Gallagher recorded a double-triple.

Springdale head coach Seth Napierkowski during 7 on 7 competition on July 7, 2021, at Freeport Area High School.

Alle-Kiski Valley high school football notebook: Springdale, Deer Lakes renew rivalry

A number of high school football rivalries were put on hold last year as the covid pandemic delayed, shortened and toyed with players, coaches and fans from August to early December.

Southmoreland’s Olivia Cernuto (10) Celebrates her second goal next to Mt. Pleasant’s Alexia Stanek during their game on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at Vikings Stadium.

Westmoreland County girls soccer preview: Southmoreland has ‘something to prove’

If Josh Pajak was only allowed to give his Southmoreland girls soccer team one message before the start of the season it might be this: Proceed with caution.

Franklin Regional’s Anthony DiFalco works against Mars’ Ryan Pasko in front of the Planets’ goal during the first half of the WPIAL Class AAA championship game on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, at North Allegheny.

Westmoreland County boys soccer preview: Franklin Regional eyes another title

Franklin Regional senior Anthony DiFalco has seen just about everything there is to see in high school soccer.

Penn-Trafford head coach John Ruane during 7 on 7 completion on July 8, 2021 at Greater Latrobe Sr. High School.

Westmoreland HS football notebook: Teams enjoy return to normalcy

As the band played and cheerleaders and students chanted from packed bleachers, the normally steely-eyed John Ruane felt some emotion.

After coaching together at Valley for three seasons, Butler coach Sam Albert (left) greets Kiski Area coach Larry Kunselman on Sept. 16, 1994 at Davis Field. Kunselman also coached at Knoch from 1980-88.

George Guido: Knoch to induct 7 into Sports Hall of Fame

Knoch High School’s Sports Hall of Fame is getting set to enshrine its sixth induction class Friday night during the Knights’ home opener against Freeport.

Norwin senior football player Sebastian Rosado Guindin

After leaving Puerto Rican home, Norwin lineman Guindin adjusts to new life

Chased out of Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria in 2017, Sebastian Rosado Guindin has found a home at Norwin.

Shady Side Academy coach Chuck DiNardo oversees practice Aug. 16 at Shady Side Academy.

Shady Side, Neighborhood Academy students team up for football co-op

After 127 years as an independent football program, Shady Side Academy now has a partner.

Bethel Park’s Max Blanc looks to make a pass during a 7 on 7 high school football tournament July 18 at Bethel Park.

Bethel Park QB Max Blanc plans for college career at Youngstown State

Max Blanc is a student of the game, particularly at the quarterback position.

Bethel Park’s Brendan Ridge competes during a 2020 soccer game, at Bethel Park.

Bethel Park boys soccer eyes WPIAL playoff berth

Small steps.

North Journal notebook: North Allegheny girls golfers off to strong start

The North Allegheny girls golf team opened its season by shooting 166 to sweep a tri-match with Fox Chapel (188) and Mt. Lebanon (185).

Jadyn Perkins was an all-section selection last season, when North Allegheny won its fourth straight PIAA title.

New wave of players ready to carry on North Allegheny girls volleyball tradition

Senior middle hitter Rachel Burton understands the expectations for the North Allegheny girls volleyball team.

Franklin Regional’s Caroline Tragesser returns as one of the WPIAL’s top players in 2021.

Franklin Regional girls golfers look to stay on top of section

Franklin Regional girls golf coach Kane Daignault said he knew he had a good team returning.

Hampton sophomore Lydia Bailey was the Talbots’ top finisher at the 2020 WPIAL Class AAA cross country Championships last season.

Fresh start energizes talented, young Hampton cross country team

A youthful Hampton girls cross country team is about to get even younger.

Hampton’s Gabe Viszlay (16) celebrates a goal with Luke Staggers (20) and Zach Panza during a 2020 WPIAL Class 3A first-round playoff game against Kiski Area.

Hampton boys soccer seniors driven to make most of last chance

Since going undefeated as eighth graders, the seniors on the Hampton boys soccer team have held lofty expectations.

Ligonier Valley pitcher Maddie Griffin delivers during a game against Apollo-Ridge on Monday, April 26, 2021, in Ligonier.

Ligonier Valley pitcher Maddie Griffin commits to Youngstown State

A slightly crumpled piece of paper is far from a national letter of intent, but it sure meant a lot to Maddie Griffin when she was a big-dreaming middle schooler.

Sto-Rox’s Josh Jenkins rolls over Bishop Sycamore’s Charlie Polard for a touchdown on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 at the Wolvarena.

Big-play defense leads Sto-Rox past Bishop Sycamore at Wolvarena

Sto-Rox’s high-scoring offense will have big nights this season, there’s little doubt about that.

Imhotep Charter’s Enai White celebrates after dropping Central Catholic quarterback Payton Wehner to seal the game Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at the Wolvarena.

Philly power Imhotep Charter wears down Central Catholic with oversized offensive line

Two tight ends, a huge offensive line and a gritty running back gaining chucks of yardage at a time. This certainly was the style of offense Central Catholic usually would relish.