Sports

Connellsville’s Gabriel McCrum (17) makes a catch and is tackled by Gateway’s Camron Price and Jermir Harber on Oct. 23, 2020, at Connellsville Stadium.

Gateway, Davis too much for Connellsville

October 23, 2020

The Connellsville football team did not play poorly in terms of mistakes and effort during Friday’s homecoming game against Gateway.

Mt. Lebanon’s Joey Daniels (3) celebrates with kicker Casey Sorsdal after his extra point kick in overtime against Seneca Valley on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Jackson. Lebo won, 28-27.

Mt. Lebanon tops Seneca Valley with blocked extra point in overtime

With its playoff hopes in jeopardy, Mt. Lebanon would’ve gone for two in overtime Friday night, sticking with coach Bob Palko’s win-or-go-home reputation.

North Catholic’s Carson Laconi hits Freeport’s Vincent Clark, but Clark hangs on to the ball in the first quarter Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at Mars Area High School.

Freeport pushes North Catholic to the brink but the Trojans come away victorious

It wasn’t pretty, but Friday night at Mars, the No. 2 North Catholic Trojans were happy to get off the field with their seventh win of the season and in turn capture the Allegheny Seven Conference title.

Clairton’s Dontae Sanders carries against Sprindale on Oct. 23, 2020, at Clairton.

No. 1 Clairton routs Springdale for 700th win in program history

For a program that has celebrated plenty of milestones, Clairton added another Friday night.

Plum’s Eryck Moore breaks the tackle of Armstrong’s Cole Brown in the first half Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at Plum High School.

Quick start propels Plum past Armstrong; Mustangs finish regular season unbeaten

Plum didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard in Friday’s Greater Allegheny Conference game against Armstrong at Mustangs Stadium.

Pine-Richland and Kiski Area square off Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.

No. 1 Pine-Richland scores early, rolls past Kiski Area

Going into the game, Kiski Area knew it needed to figure out a way to slow down Class 5A No. 1 Pine-Richland’s offensive attack. However, the Rams jumped on the Cavaliers early and didn’t look back.

Penn-Trafford’s Mason Frye is pursued by Franklin Regional’s Caden Smith (26) on Oct. 23, 2020.

Penn-Trafford scores every which way, routs Franklin Regional

Penn-Trafford won’t be recognized as a conference champion but the Warriors sure played like one in their regular-season finale.

Elizabeth Forward’s DaVontay Brownfield runs the ball late in the second half Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, against Southmoreland.

EF’s touchdown on last play of 1st half keys victory over Southmoreland

When Southmoreland scored a touchdown with 10 seconds remaining in the first half to pull within one of conference champion Elizabeth Forward, the Warriors could have been content to take the slim lead to the locker room.

Penn Trafford’s Delaney Shusko plays against Fox Chapel on Oct. 15.

Defending champs earn top seeds for WPIAL field hockey playoffs

If the seeds hold, WPIAL field hockey will see repeat champions across the board when the playoffs begin next week.

Franklin Regional goalkeeper Gianni Diacopoulos makes a save against Plum during their Sept. 28 match. The Panthers open the WPIAL playoffs against Knoch.

Westmoreland WPIAL soccer playoff capsules

WPIAL soccer playoffs preview

Owen Zimmerman and his Kiski Area teammates will face Hampton in the opening round of the WPIAL playoffs.

A-K Valley soccer playoff preview capsules

Boys

WPISL playoff tournament set for Saturday, Sunday

A Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Softball League varsity champion will be crowned this weekend as 13 teams will compete in a single-elimination tournament Saturday and Sunday.

Monessen’s Shane Swope leads his team against Jefferson-Morgan on Sept. 25, 2020, at Monessen.

Monessen, football coach Shane Swope part ways after 1 season

Monessen and Shane Swope are going separate ways after a college try of a 2020 football season.

North Allegheny’s Jadyn Perkins scores over Pine-Richland’s Makayla Roy next to Paige Miller during their match on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in McCandless.

WPIAL girls volleyball playoff clinchings through Oct. 22, 2020

The WPIAL girls volleyball regular season has come to an end, sort of. There is at least one more playoff spot up for grabs in a match on Saturday plus a spot undecided in both Class AAA and AA.

Plum defender Kyle Ryan leaps in front of Franklin Regional’s Blake Cooper in front of the net during their game on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Murrysville.

Plum boys soccer riding 11-game winning streak heading into WPIAL playoffs

For the second straight year, the Plum boys soccer team is playing its best soccer when it matters most.

Mt. Lebanon’s Joey Daniels (3) looks to pass the ball against Central Catholic during their game at Graham Field in Wilkinsburg on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.

Home field in playoffs likely at stake as Mt. Lebanon visits Seneca Valley

If Mt. Lebanon wins Friday’s regular-season finale at Seneca Valley, the Blue Devils will likely receive one of the top two seeds in the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Oct. 22, 2020

October 22, 2020

Cross country

North Allegheny’s Rebecca Pilotta (12) celebrates with teammates after defeating Pine-Richland, 3-0, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in McCandless.

High school roundup for Oct. 22, 2020: Plum claims section volleyball title

Plum (14-0) clinched the Section 1-3A title by winning a five-set thriller over Franklin Regional (12-2) in girls volleyball Thursday. The win finished off a season sweep of the Panthers for the Mustangs, which earned them the outright title.