Sports

Union players practice Aug. 13, 2019.
Union small in numbers but big on talent
August 20, 2019
Another year, another common scenario for coach Stacy Robinson and the Union Scotties. One of the smallest schools in the WPIAL, Union had just 20 kids arrive for the first day of camp.

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Sto-Rox quarterback Eric Wilson throws a pass during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019 in McKees Rocks.
Sto-Rox football team returns core of explosive offense
The Sto-Rox football team enters the season with plenty of motivation.

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Rochester head coach Gene Matsook works with his team during practice on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019.
Rochester eager to atone for WPIAL title game loss
Though Rochester came up short against OLSH in the WPIAL Class A championship game last season, coach Gene Matsook does not spend time reflecting on the past.

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OLSH receiver Brock Saftner catches a pass during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019.
OLSH football team reloads hoping for another championship run
Last fall, OLSH football enjoyed unprecedented success.

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Blackhawk’s Marques Watson-Trent (23) rushes the ball during the Blackhawk’s 21-0 loss against South Fayette on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018.
WPIAL position by position breakdown: Scouting the safeties
Versatile safeties are crucial in today’s WPIAL.

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Northgate quarterback Christian Davin throws a pass during practice Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Bellevue.
Northgate optimistic after nightmare season in 2018
One season after the Northgate Flames were barely an ember, second-year coach Mike Fulmore is feeling a bit more optimistic.

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Hempfield’s Ashleigh VanHorn (left) works out with teammates during practice Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Hempfield.
Hempfield girls soccer team zeroes in on defense
If you notice the Hempfield girls soccer team getting defensive, it’s nothing personal.

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Hempfield’s Jake Ballantyne will be a key member of the Spartans midfield this season.
Hempfield boys soccer team sees dividends from feeder program
It has been eight years since the Hempfield boys team tasted playoff soccer, and that season ended in a Class 4A, first-round loss to Upper St. Clair.

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Fox Chapel’s Claudia Demartino moves the ball upfield during a scrimmage against Franklin Regional Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Lessons learned should guide Fox Chapel girls soccer this season
Last season was a learning experience for the Fox Chapel girls soccer team.

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Fox Chapel’s Tommy Tsai works out during practice Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, in Fox Chapel.
Fox Chapel boys soccer expects to be battle-tested come playoff time
There is a buzz surrounding the Fox Chapel boys soccer team.

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Laurel football players huddle during practice Aug. 13, 2019.
Experienced Laurel motivated for big season
Ten starters back on offense. Nine starters back on defense. And a team that feels like it should have been in the postseason last year.

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Cornell quarterback Zaier Harrison throws a pass during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, in Coraopolis.
Cornell learns from struggles, aims to make history
Zaier Harrison has endured hard times, but he hasn’t been alone.

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Legend Ausk and his Springdale teammates will play the program’s 900th game Friday against Deer Lakes.
George Guido: Plenty of milestones to watch for this football season
The stage is set for the 121st high school football season in the Alle-Kiski Valley, and it appears several teams are poised for success in 2019.

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Keyshawn Harris participates in a drill during Bishop Canevin footbal practice Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019.
Bishop Canevin aims to resume winning tradition
Outside of the locker room at Bishop Canevin, there is a plaque that honors legendary coach Bob Jacoby. The quote on it features six words that showcase what he demanded from his teams: “48 minutes of tough Canevin football.”

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Riverview’s Zach Hanlon works on defense during a 7-on-7 game Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at Freeport High School.
Hanlon’s versatility provides unique advantage for Riverview
Zach Hanlon possesses two Riverview football jerseys: No. 36 and No. 78.

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Penn-Trafford quarterback Gabe Dunlap passes against Norwin in the championship game of the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Latrobe High School. Norwin defeated Penn-Trafford 24-13.
With options under center, Penn-Trafford could go off script offensively
Senior Gabe Dunlap and junior Ethan Carr once competed for the starting quarterback spot at Penn-Trafford. The friendly competition brought out the best in each athlete as they pushed each other to improve.

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West Greene running back Ben Jackson has been one of the WPIAL’s top rushers during the 2018 season.
West Greene ready to build off successful 2018 season
If West Greene’s 2018 season was turned into a movie script, producers might shy away from it because it wouldn’t seem realistic.

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Monessen’s Isaiah Beltran catches a pass during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019.
Monessen looks to build on WPIAL playoff appearance
When Mike Blainfield took the Monessen coaching job in 2017, his goal was to restore pride in a program that had slipped from its accustomed lofty heights.

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Mapletown senior athlete Alex Lipscomb during a preseason practice Aug. 8, 2019, at Mapletown High School.
Coach: ‘This is not the same Mapletown football team’
In his 39 years as a high school football coach — most of them spent as the head man at Mapletown — George Messich has seen plenty of the good, the bad and the ugly. Last season was too much of the latter.

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Jefferson-Morgan sophomore Colt Fowler during a July 25, 2019 preseason practice at Jefferson-Morgan High School.
Jefferson-Morgan football team relies on competition to improve
Competition for playing time tends to bring out the best in everyone. Young or less-experienced players give their all to make coaches take notice, and established players, in turn, step up their game to avoid losing playing time.

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