Sports
Former Rochester Football Star Killed in Shooting
August 8, 2012
Tragic news out of Beaver County on the brink of a new football season. Three weeks from the start of the 2012 high school football campaign, one of the top WPIAL Class A football players from 2011 was killed in a New Brighton shooting. 18-year old DeAndre Moon of Rochester died early Wednesday morning from a single gun shot wound.Authorities have not made any arrests. Moon was apparently shot on a houseboat and was taken to Heritage Valley Beaver hospital by a friend where he later died from loss of blood.CTK 2012 – 2011 WPIAL Class AA Football Flashback
In a season in which two once proud programs, Washington and Ellwood City bounced back from recent struggles to make it into the WPIAL Quarterfinals, two of the districts richest traditions survived the postseason to do battle at Heinz Field. There was no Darrelle Revis or Terrelle Pryor, but there was plenty of great action to the end as Aliquippa came from behind late to pull out a memorable 14-7 victory over Jeannette.2011 WPIAL CLASS AA STANDINGS:# - Clinched at least a share of the conference title * - Clinched playoff spot x - Eliminated from playoff chaseMidwestern Conference:CTK 2012 – 2011 WPIAL Class AAA Football Flashback
August 7, 2012
It was another banner year for Parkway Conference. For the third straight year, the WPIAL Class AAA champion came from the 'toughest conference in the state." After losing in the finals to Central Valley in 2010, Montour won their first title in nearly 50 years by cruising past upstart Knoch. However you can't talk WPIAL Triple A football without mentioning the end to a scholastic Hall of Fame career for Hopewell running back Rushel Shell. Shell ended up not only breaking the all-time rushing record in the WPIAL, but set a new rushing mark in the PIAA as well along with countless other records in an amazing career. 2011 WPIAL CLASS AAA STANDINGS:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 08/07/2012
As we continue our Countdown to Kickoff 2012 schedule, youth baseball joins pro baseball on a crowded center stage this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We begin our coverage of the 2012 PONY League World Series from Washington, PA along with Eastern League baseball featuring the Altoona Curve and Frontier League baseball featuring the Washington Wild Things, plus all of the news from the auto racing world with Rappin on Racin is here at MSAsports.netMonday, August 6th:TALK SHOW - Rappin on Racin at 6:00pm on MSAsports.netPro Baseball: Class AA Eastern League - Bowie Baysox vs Altoona Curve at 7:00pm on MSAsports.net Tuesday, August 7th:MUZZY COLOSIMO OUT AT GREENSBURG CENTRAL CATHOLIC
August 6, 2012
One week before football training camps officially open around the WPIAL, a veteran coach has been replaced at a Class AA perennial power. William 'Muzzy' Colosimo and Greensburg Central Catholic High School are parting ways after 17 years.It is not yet known if Colosimo was fired or if he resigned.Greensburg Central Catholic had a record of 143-46 under Colosimo with 15 winning seasons.Colosimo led the Centurions to their only football championship only three years ago when Greensburg Central Catholic beat Aliquippa in the 2009 Class AA championship game 33-7. The Centurions lost in the AA finals in 2005 to South Park and in 2006 to rival Jeannette.CTK 2012 – 2011 WPIAL Class AAAA Football Flashback
They weren't ranked number one at the start of the season, but for a second straight season, North Allegheny proved that #1 at the end was all that mattered. after going undefeated through the regular season, the Tigers made it back to Heinz Field where they held on to beat Upper St. Clair in a Quad Classic. The magical run for North Allegheny came to an end however in the PIAA playoffs as the defending champions were edged in the state Semifinals, ending their winning streak at 21 in a row. 2011 WPIAL CLASS AAAA STANDINGS:# - Clinched at least a share of the conference title * - Clinched playoff spot x - Eliminated from playoff chaseNorthern Seven Conference:CTK 2012 – New High School Football Rules
August 3, 2012
As part of the Countdown to Kickoff, here are the new rule changes for the 2012 high school football season. Rule changes involve the definition of a catch, blocking restrictions on free (onside) kicks and the removal of a helmet during a down. The first major change defines what makes a catch. Prior to this season, officials could rule that a player in the air would have come down in the field of play, but was prevented by an opponent from doing so in completing a catch. The new rule any guess work out of the play, a player must come down with a foot or body part inbounds while maintaining possession, regardless of an opponent's action.CTK 2012 – 7:00pm Kickoffs in WPIAL
August 2, 2012
There are 125 schools in the WPIAL that field a high school football team. While a majority still begin at 7:30pm, the 'early risers' continue to grow and are nearly half. Now 52 of them will kickoff their home games at 7:00pm. Here is a list of schools that will get the thirty minute head start on Friday and Saturday nights.CLASS AAAA Foothills:Altoona Mountain LionsMcKeesport TigersCLASS AAAA Northern Eight:Fox Chapel FoxesNorth Hills IndiansCLASS AAAA Southeastern:Plum MustangsWoodland Hills Wolverines-----------------------------------------------------------CLASS AAA Northeastern:CTK 2012 – New Conference Alignment in WPIAL Football
Major changes have taken place to the look of the WPIAL football conference alignment for the next two years. The biggest change comes in Class AAAA and Class AAA where both classifications have shrunk from the standard four conferences to three conferences. Both Class AA and Class A will remain with four conferences.COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF 2012
July 31, 2012
The countdown to the start of the 2012 high school football season is underway. High School football training camps throughout Western Pennsylvania open up on Monday, August 13th as teams prepare for a new season starting Friday, August 31st and Saturday, September 1st. As has been the case in the thirteen previous years here at MSA Sports, the ONLY place to turn for original DAILY updates that help prepare fans for all the excitement of the 2012 high school football season in the WPIAL is 'Countdown to Kickoff' here at www.msasports.netCOMPLETELY UPDATED: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/30/2012
July 30, 2012
With great anticipation, we are ready to begin Countdown to Kickoff 2012 as July melts into August this week on the MSA Sports Network. We begin our coverage of the 2012 high school football season with a special edition of This Week in the WPIAL followed by the MSA Sports/Kennywood Park Preseason All-Star Team Presentation Show from Kennywood Park. We also have coverage of Class AA Eastern League baseball with the Altoona Curve hitting the road for series in Trenton and New Britain along with Frontier League play featuring the Washington Wild Things at River City before returning home to CONSOL Energy Park to face Lake Erie, plus all of the news from the auto racing world with Rappin on Racin is here at MSAsports.netMonday, July 30th:
London Bound: Local Athletes on the US Olympic Team – Jake Herbert
July 26, 2012
Jake Herbert, a 2003 North Allegheny graduate has been named to the 2012 Olympic wrestling team in the 185 pound weight class. He is one of two Western Pennsylvanians to make the team, the other being Coleman Scott from Waynesburg. Herbert is also a 2009 graduate of Northwestern University and lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is a two time NCAA champion winning titles in 2007 and 2009, and four time All American. He compiled a 135-4 record in college with two undefeated seasons. In High school he won the 2003 PIAA state championship and placed all four years. He compiled a 141-18 record in his four years at North Allegheny.
London Bound: Local Athletes on the US Olympic Team – Coleman Scott
July 24, 2012
Former three-time PIAA state champion and Waynesburg high school graduate Coleman Scott has made the US Olympic Wrestling team as a freestyle wrestler. Scott, an NCAA Champion in 2008, was the final man to make the Olympic squad after defeating top ranked Shawn Bunch and Reece Humphrey in a wrestle off. Scott has been a member of the US National team since 2009. He was a four time All American at Oklahoma State and one of two Western Pennsylvanians to make the 2012 Olympic team. The other is North Allegheny graduate Jake Herbert.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/23/2012
July 23, 2012
The pro baseball diamonds own the week long center stage in the final days of July this week on the MSA Sports Network. We have coverage of Class AA Eastern League baseball with the Altoona Curve hitting at Reading for three, then back home for a long four game weekend series against New Hampshire along with Frontier League play featuring the Washington Wild Things at CONSOL Energy Park for series against London and Florence before hitting the road against Lake Erie, plus all of the news from the auto racing world with Rappin on Racin is here at MSAsports.netMonday, July 23rd:TALK SHOW - Rappin on Racin at 6:00pm on MSAsports.netPro Baseball: Class AA Eastern League - Altoona Curve vs Reading Phillies at 7:05pm on MSAsports.netWPIAL Hires, Resignations and Commitments
July 18, 2012
Even though the school doors are locked and the student-athletes are preparing for a new school year, there has been plenty of news in the first couple weeks of July with athletic directors and coaches on the move as well as players making D-I verbal agreements.Butschle Steps Down at Sto-RoxThe 2011 WPIAL Class A runner-up is looking for a new coach just one month before training camp officially opens up. Ron Butschle's second stint as head coach at Sto-Rox has ended when he resigned due to personal reasons.Butschle, who led the Vikings to an undefeated regular season last fall and a berth in the district title game, hopes to coach again some day, but a family situation has forced him to step away at least for the 2012 season.
London Bound: Local Athletes on the USA Olympic Team – Christa Harmotto
July 16, 2012
Christa Harmotto, a 2005 graduate of Hopewell High School, was named to the final roster for the US Olympic Volleyball team that will compete in the London Olympics. She has been a part of the national team since she graduated from Penn State University in 2009 after a four year career where she was a two time first team All-American selection, and three time All-American. At Penn State, she was part of four straight Big Ten titles, consecutive NCAA titles and an undefeated season in 2008. During her career at Hopewell, she was the 2004 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year and was a two-time high school All-American.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/16/2012
The pro baseball diamonds own the week long spotlight as the second half of the season is into full swing this week on the MSA Sports Network. We have coverage of Class AA Eastern League baseball with the Altoona Curve hitting the road for three, then back home for a long four game weekend series along with Frontier League play featuring the Washington Wild Things at CONSOL Energy Park for three before a short three game road trip to Illinois, plus all of the news from the auto racing world with Rappin on Racin is here at MSAsports.netMonday, July 16th:TALK SHOW - Rappin on Racin at 6:00pm on MSAsports.netPro Baseball: Class AA Eastern League - Altoona Curve vs Richmond Flying Squirrels at 7:05pm on MSAsports.netGateway Football Coach Terry Smith Keeps Job…For Now
July 12, 2012
Terry Smith is still the head football coach at Gateway High School, although his position as head coach and athletic director is up in the air after the 2012 season. On Wednesday night in front of a packed house at the high school auditorium, the Gateway school board voted 8-1 to prevent the athletic director of the school district to have a supplemental contract as the high school football coach. However, it would not go into effect until December 31st of this year.Last month, the school board approved a new 65 million dollar budget with plenty of cuts, including cutting the athletic directors position to part time.Former Shady Side Academy Star Pete Sauer Dies
July 9, 2012
Former Shady Side Academy and University of Stanford basketball standout Pete Sauer collapsed and died Monday in New York City while playing in a pick-up basketball game.The cause of death has not been determined, but witnesses say Sauer collapsed and hit is head and never revived.Sauer starred at Shady Side Academy in the early to mid-90's and was the Indians all-time leading scorer when he graduated in 1995.He then went on to star at Standford. helping to lead the Cardinal to four straight NCAA men's basketball tournament berth's including the 1998 team that advanced to the Final Four in his junior season.Sauer is survived by his wife Amanda and three daughters. He was 35-years old
London Bound: Local Athletes on the USA Olympic Team – Cassidy Krug
Former WPIAL and PIAA champion and Montour High School graduate Cassidy Krug has qualified for the 2012 London Olympics in the 3 meter diving springboard competition. Krug averaged over 364.95 per round at the US Olympic diving trials in Federal Way Washington during the week of June of June 17th thru 22nd. Her overall meet score was 1094.85 was good enough for first place as she outdistanced 2nd place finisher and Olympic qualifier Christina Loukas by 77 points. Krug who missed qualifying in 2004 but went to Athens as a runner to help her teammates and fellow Olympians, and 2008 where she failed due to injuries, finally was able to secure the long sought after Olympics berth.
