Sports

Central Catholic quarterback Payton Wehner scores next to JD Younger during their game against North Allegheny on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in McCandless.

WPIAL Class 6A roundup: Central Catholic rolls past Canon-McMillan

October 30, 2021

Payton Wehner threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 2 Central Catholic to a 54-14 win against No. 5 Canon-McMillan (4-6, 2-5) in a Class 6A football game Friday night.

Upper St. Clair’s Ethan Hiester rushed for 136 yards and had a key blocked field goal in the fourth quarter against Bethel Park on Friday night.

Hiester’s late-game heroics lead Upper St. Clair past Bethel Park

Upper St. Clair’s abbreviation is USC.

Steel Valley’s NiJhay Burt dives into the end zone to score his second touchdown against Serra Catholic on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, in Munhall.

2021 WPIAL statistical leaders for rushing, passing, receiving in Week 9

Top performers for Week 9 of high school football in Western Pennsylvania.

Seneca Valley and North Allegheny players meet at midfield before their game Friday, Oct. 29, 2021.

Pair of goal-line stands help Seneca Valley hold off North Allegheny

October 29, 2021

Even though both teams already had clinched playoff spots heading into their matchup, Seneca Valley and North Allegheny were battling for an opening-round bye in the WPIAL Class 6A bracket.

Peters Township players huddle up before taking on South Fayette on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021.

Peters Township drops South Fayette in battle for final Allegheny Six playoff spot

Rainbows are thought to be a sign of promise and of good things to come.

Steel Valley’s NiJhay Burt stiff-arms Serra’s Ryan Brooks during their game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, in Munhall.

Nijhay Burt carries No. 5 Steel Valley past Serra Catholic to clinch Allegheny Conference title

WPIAL rushing leader Nijhay Burt was averaging 2 yards a carry on his first 10 tries Friday night, yet nobody this season has frustrated the Steel Valley star for an entire game.

Montour’s Jake Wolfe (11) and Kaleb Platz celebrate their win as Chartiers Valley’s Austin Efthimiades walks by Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at Chartiers Valley.

Janeda’s 4th-quarter plays help Montour get past Chartiers Valley, into WPIAL playoffs

Brock Janeda is a catcher on the Montour baseball team, but Friday night he was the closer on the football field.

Pine-Richland coach Steve Campos talks to the Rams after they beat Fox Chapel on Oct. 29, 2021, at Fox Chapel.

Pine-Richland football clinches share of conference title

Pine-Richland’s football program has been no stranger to headlines of all sorts this year, but Friday night, it earned one it would be happy to read.

A view of Glassport Memorial Stadium before South Allegheny took on Mt. Pleasant on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021.

South Allegheny closes stadium with playoff-clinching win over Mt. Pleasant

The South Allegheny football program made history Friday night. In their final home game at Glassport Memorial Stadium, the Gladiators defeated the Mt. Pleasant Vikings, 21-7, getting into the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2012.

Southmoreland quarterback Anthony Govern (right) threw a touchdown and ran for two more Friday night against South Park.

Govern sparks comeback as Southmoreland beats South Park to finish 2nd in Interstate

Going into the fourth quarter, Southmoreland was watching its playoff hopes slip away as the Scotties trailed South Park, 14-7.

Hempfield and Norwin players take part in the pre-game coin toss Oct. 29, 2021, at Hempfield.

Norwin closes season with victory over Hempfield

Mathematically, Norwin is out of playoff contention.

Ligonier Valley players celebrate after defeating Apollo-Ridge on Oct. 29, 2021, at Ligonier Valley’s Weller Field.

Ligonier Valley spreads the wealth, beats Apollo-Ridge to clinch playoff spot

It was a fun night for the Ligonier Valley football team Friday.

Leechburg’s Braylan Lovelace runs against Greensburg Central Catholic on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at Greensburg Central Catholic.

Leechburg tops Greensburg Central Catholic in thrilling playoff tune-up

Two playoff-bound high school football teams, eager to flex their muscles one last time during the regular season, waged a heavyweight battle Friday night in the WPIAL Class A Eastern League.

Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin runs for a touchdown against McKeesport on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021.

Whitlock, Martin lead Belle Vernon to Big 8 Conference title by beating McKeesport

Belle Vernon didn’t wear masks with the likeness of Michael Myers, but the Leopards handed out nightmares for McKeesport Friday night.

Burrell and Valley football players take part in the coin toss Oct. 29, 2021, at Burrell.

Burrell wins, gets help, qualifies for playoffs for first time since 2012

Burrell entered Friday’s Allegheny Seven Conference finale with Valley at Buccaneer Stadium needing a win and a Deer Lakes loss to make the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

Freeport’s Parker Lucas looks back as he returns a interception for a touchdown against Deer Lakes on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at Lancer Stadium.

Defense doesn’t rest as Freeport blanks Deer Lakes to finish 2nd in Allegheny 7

In the 100 seasons of Freeport football, many nights have belonged to the defense.

Plum and Greensburg Salem players warm up before their game Oct. 29, 2021, at Plum.

Plum battles its way into playoffs with win over Greensburg Salem

Plum took advantage of four Greensburg Salem fumbles to overcome a 13-point deficit and book a ticket to the Class 4A WPIAL playoffs with a 30-27 win at home Friday.