Sports
This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 11/29/2015
November 29, 2015
We make the move from The Highway to Heinz to the Road to Hershey while also making the move from fall sports to winter sports as November turns into December this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We follow all four of the 2015 WPIAL champions as they play PIAA Quarterfinals state football playoff games. We also tip off the WPIAL boys and girls high school basketball and scholastic wrestling seasons along with several PIHL high school hockey games and men's and women's college basketball featuring Carlow University, plus the final edition of This Week in the WPIAL and the first edition of The PIHL Power Play Show ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, November 30th:
Thomas Jefferson Shuts Down Central Valley to Win AAA Gold
After Thomas Jefferson dropped its first two contests of the 2015 season, some began to question if the Jaguars had lost their distinction as a powerhouse team. Those questions have been definitively answered, as the Jaguars won 11 straight games from that point, culminating with the WPIAL Class AAA Championship, defeating top-seeded Central Valley 20-7 at Heinz Field. With the triumph, the No. 6 Jaguars captured their sixth championship, and first since 2008, when Thomas Jefferson notched the final of three-consecutive titles.
Aliquippa Wins 16th Crown in Ending South Fayette’s 2-Year Reign
November 28, 2015
Aliquippa has found it tough to dispatch South Fayette in WPIAL Class AA championship games at Heinz Field. After falling to the Lions in the title contest two straight years, the Quips finally emerged victorious this year. But it wasn’t easy. In an incredible game that featured numerous ebbs and flows of emotion and momentum, Aliquippa (13-0) topped South Fayette (12-1) in pulsating fashion by a score of 44-38. In the process, the Quips snapped South Fayette’s 44-game winning streak and captured the school’s 16th WPIAL championship.
Central Catholic Wins 2nd Title In 3 Years With Win Over Penn-Trafford
Using an explosive running back and a defense to make big plays, The Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings claimed their fifth WPIAL championship with a 24-17 victory over the previously unbeaten Penn-Trafford Warriors in the WPIAL Quad-A Championship game at Heinz Field. The Vikings ground out 262 yards, with senior Ronnie Jones gaining 146 of those yards on the way to their tenth straight win. The defense came up big as well, holding the Warriors, who had scored 559 points in their twelve wins, to just 232 offensive yards and 29 points below their season average.
Clairton Caps Decade of Dominance With Rout of Jeannette
Defending champion Clairton wasted no time getting things started in this year’s WPIAL Class A Championship. Senior running back Harrison Dreher took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Lamont Wade added a two point conversion to put the Bears up 8-0 just 16 seconds into the game. Jeannette took over at the 36-yard line. Struggling to find an offensive rhythm, Jeannette went three and out on its first possession.Scholastic Notebook – 11/26/2015
November 26, 2015
The weather has been pretty good the past few days. That means it’s a perfect time to pick a fresh batch of “factoids” from the “factoid tree.” They always go well with the WPIAL football championships, which are Saturday at Heinz Field. **** Just about all of the coaches in the title games have had that championship feeling before. Penn-Trafford’s John Ruane and Jeannette’s Roy Hall are the only coaches who haven’t won a title. Between the other seven, there are 17 championships. Aliquippa’s Mike Zmijanac has won five, Thomas Jefferson’s Bill Cherpak four, South Fayette’s Joe Rossi three, Central Valley’s Mark Lyons two, Pittsburgh Central Catholic’s Terry Totten two and Clairton’s Wayne Wade one.Chicks Picks – Championship Saturday – 11/26/2015
Welcome to Championship Week of the high school football season. Chick’s Picks never understood why the song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” was a Christmas carol, when the title clearly explains WPIAL football Championship Week. First, Thanksgiving. Then, Championship Saturday. What time of year could possibly be more wonderful than that? In the midst of this most wonderful time of the year, Chick’s Picks took a moment to reflect on all that she is thankful for this year. First and foremost, she is thankful for her loved ones that will place the fate of their Thanksgiving dinners in her hands on Thursday.WPIAL Big Game Hunting – Championship Saturday
A little light reading for your post-turkey dinner relaxation in this week’s Big Game Hunting. This is a pretty epic Championship Saturday. The eight contestants have combined for some astronomic numbers over the years. All-time, this group of teams has combined to win 50 WPIAL football championships. More recently the numbers get even more impressive. Since 2003 there have been 48 WPIAL football championships won, these teams have combined to win 26 of them, that’s 56% of the championships in the last twelve years going to these teams! They know all about Big Game Hunting. Weather, the surface, the bright lights, and injuries all will play a part Saturday.MSA Sports Frozen Fab Five Hockey Rankings – 11/26/2015
Here are the latest MSA Sports Sports Frozen Fab Five rankings of PIHL high school hockey teams in each of the four classifications for the 2015-2016 high school hockey season...including a NEW #1 team in Class A. Don't miss the latest rankings every Wednesday during the regular season, plus PIHL Notebook every Monday on our website and the weekly PIHL Power Play Show every Wednesday night at 8:00pm starting in December with audio and video broadcasts as well here on the home of the best PIHL high school hockey coverage, the MSA Sports Network. PIHL CLASS AAA: 1) PETERS TOWNSHIP INDIANS (5-0-3) (Last Week #1)District College Football Preview for Saturday, November 28
November 25, 2015
And then there were three district college football teams alive in the post season. SRU and IUP hope to both advance and meet in the Super Region ! final while Duquesne makes their initial trip into the FCS playoffs. Here are previews of ALL 3 GAMES, with recaps coming Saturday night. NCAA Division II Playoffs/Super Region 1 Semifinal Assumption (11-1) at Slippery Rock (11-1) Noon A battle of the third and second seeds in the region with the winner to advance to the regional final next weekend. The two teams have never met. Slippery Rock is ranked 8th in the D2football.com poll, while Assumption is ranked 17th.PIAA Alignment Numbers for 2017 & 2018 – Spring Sports
The new alignment list has been released by the PIAA for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 spring sports seasons. With the expanded classifications, there are still a lot of questions to be answered by WPIAL school officials and the schools themselves before anything in finalized and conferences are set. Schools must make a decision by mid-December if they want to remain in their designated classification OR decide to move up in class. A school is not permitted to move down.PIAA Alignment Numbers for 2016-2017 & 2017-2018 – Winter Sports
November 24, 2015
The new alignment list has been released by the PIAA for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 winter sports seasons. With the expanded classifications, there are still a lot of questions to be answered by WPIAL school officials and the schools themselves before anything in finalized and conferences are set. Schools must make a decision by mid-December if they want to remain in their designated classification OR decide to move up in class. A school is not permitted to move down.WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Twelve 2015
The 2015 WPIAL football season began in early September, and every team's ultimate goal at that time was to advance to Heinz Field to play for a championship. The teams that accomplished that objective were determined on Friday, as eight teams advanced from the semifinals. The majority of the contests were competitive, with several coming down to the final minutes. To that point, this week's edition of the top plays includes a final-minute touchdown pass for a team building a reputation for comeback victories, a spectacular run by a quarterback to give his team the lead, a long return touchdown on the opening kickoff, and a defensive stop on the final play of the game. Here are the best of the best from the WPIAL semifinals tilts.PIAA Alignment Numbers for 2016 & 2017 – Fall Sports
The new alignment list has been released by the PIAA for the 2016 and 2017 fall sports seasons. With the expanded classifications, there are still a lot of questions to be answered by WPIAL school officials and the schools themselves before anything in finalized and conferences are set. School must make a decision by mid-December if they want to remain in their designated classification OR decide to move up in class. A school is not permitted to move down.Carnegie Mellon Ends A Winner in ECA Bowl Game
November 22, 2015
In the ECAC Legacy Bowl at Central Connecticut State, Carnegie Mellon defeated Bridgewater State 48-13 to pick up their third win in four bowl game appearances. Sophomore RB Sam Benger became the 21st player in D-III history to rush for more than 2 thousand yards in a season. Benger ran for 190 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win, he was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player. He opened the scoring on a 2 yard run. The Bears answered with a Danny Higgins 15 yard pass to Michael Viola. Chris Herrera gave CMU the lead for good with a 88 yard return of the ensuing kickoff and a 14-7 lead after one. Herrera scored his 2nd touchdown on a 50 yard pass from Andrew Hearon and Benger added a 1 yard run to extend the advantage at the break.2015 PIAA Boys Soccer State Playoff Results
In an amazing feat, the WPIAL sent three boys soccer teams to Hershey to play for state gold - Seneca Valley, South Park and Sewickley Academy...this after none of the three even made it to the WPIAL championships two weeks ago. Sewickley Academy was the only team to bring home gold as the Panthers captured the schools third Class A boys soccer state crown. Meanwhile both the Seneca Valley Raiders in AAA and the South Park Eagles in AA settled for silver after greats runs to the PIAA title matches. Here are ALL of the results from the 2015 PIAA Boys Soccer Playoffs. 2015 PIAA CLASS AAA BOYS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Central Bucks East Patriots 2 - SENECA VALLEY RAIDERS 02015 PIAA Girls Soccer State Playoff Results
Upper St. Clair played the role of undefeated spoiler to perfection and in the end, had the gold to prove it. After beating undefeated Norwin in the PIAA Class AAA Semifinals, the Panthers knocked off previously unbeaten Central Bucks East to capture the schools first ever girls soccer state championship. District 10 champion Villa Maria Academy in AA and District 3 champion Camp Hill Trinity in A were the other state champs crowned in Hershey. Here are ALL the results from the 2015 PIAA Girls Soccer Playoffs. 2015 PIAA CLASS AAA GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: UPPER ST. CLAIR PANTHERS 2 - Central Bucks East Patriots 1 PIAA CLASS AAA Semifinals:2015 PIAA Girls Volleyball State Playoff Results
Bishop Canevin didn't even win it's regular season section, but the Crusaders had a golden shine to their game in the postseason. Two weeks after winning the schools second WPIAL girls volleyball championship, Bishop Canevin added a first ever PIAA state title to its resume. The Crusaders beat District 5 champion North Star in three games to capture the only state title for a WPIAL school this fall. District 11 champion Parkland won the state AAA championship while District 3 champion Berks Catholic captured state gold in AA. Here are ALL the results from the 2015 PIAA Girls Volleyball Playoffs. 2015 PIAA CLASS AAA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 11/22/2015
The Highway to Heinz is only open for one more week and only eight special teams are allowed to cruise to their final destination on the North Shore of Pittsburgh for a football feast that they are very thankful for this week here on the MSA Sports Network. We have wall-to-wall coverage of ALL Four WPIAL Championship Games at Heinz Field all day Saturday along with a PIAA First Round Class AAA state football playoff game. We also have ice action with PIHL high school hockey along with men's and women's college basketball featuring Carlow University, plus a Championship Saturday preview during This Week in the WPIAL ALL here at MSAsports.net Monday, November 23rd: No Broadcasts
Upper St. Clair Wins First PIAA AAA Girls Soccer Championship
November 21, 2015
Two shots, two goals, one championship. That was the recipe for success for the Upper St. Clair Panthers girl soccer team Saturday evening at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey as they edged the Central Bucks East Patriots 2-1 in the PIAA Class AAA title match. Senior Emma Hasco scored an unassisted goal with just over six minutes left in the first half to give the WPIAL runner-up Panthers a 1-0 lead which they took into the half. With about 16 minutes left in regulation, Emma Loving scored for Central Bucks East to tie the game at 1-1 with an assist from Hannah Zach. But with one second under seven minutes left in regulation, Hasco struck again as she executed a great give and go with Rachel Witte before slamming a shot past Kristen Obetz to give USC a 2-1 lead.
