Sports

Dom Barca, left, scored twice for Norwin on Friday night.

WPIAL Class 6A roundup: Norwin takes down No. 5 Canon-McMillan

October 23, 2021

Dominic Barca ran for 124 yards and a 95-yard touchdown and caught a TD pass as Norwin scored a 16-7 upset over No. 5 Canon-McMillan (4-5, 2-4) in a WPIAL Class 6A football Friday night.

Players from Central Valley and Avonworth meet at midfield before their game Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.

Central Valley keeps firm grasp on 1st place in conference, routs Avonworth

The football never saw Central Valley territory in the first quarter.

Quarterback Thomas Burke (right) and his Leechburg teammates are playoff-bound.

Alle-Kiski Valley high school football notebook: Leechburg snaps drought

Leechburg traveled Route 66 on Friday to face Imani Christian and wrapped up its first trip to the WPIAL playoffs since 1988.

Penn-Trafford’s Carter Green cuts back on Franklin Regional’s Tyler Bewszka for a first-quarter touchdown on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at Warrior Stadium.

2021 WPIAL statistical leaders for rushing, passing, receiving in Week 8

October 22, 2021

Top performers for Week 8 of high school football in Western Pennsylvania.

Mt. Lebanon players line up to warm up before facing Seneca Valley on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.

Mt. Lebanon football team easily handles Seneca Valley

Mt. Lebanon just keeps on rolling its way through WPIAL Class 6A.

California’s Damani Stafford carries against Monessen on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.

Field day for California defense in shutout against Monessen

Inclement weather and harsh field conditions played a big role in Friday night’s Tri-County South Conference matchup between California and Monessen.

Upper St. Clair’s Mateo Cepullio, shown making a catch against Moon, caught a touchdown pass and threw a touchdown pass in Friday night’s win over South Fayette.

Upper St. Clair rallies for win, honors Jim Render

Upper St. Clair held a ceremony Friday night to honor its legendary former coach Jim Render. With a thrilling comeback win over South Fayette, the Panthers also honored him with a 31-28 overtime victory.

Thomas Jefferson’s Elias Lippincott is pursued by McKeesport’s Keyshawn Humphries on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.

McKeesport knocks off TJ, sets up winner-take-all showdown with Belle Vernon next week

When it comes to the Big 8 Conference, most of the talk usually revolves around Thomas Jefferson and Belle Vernon. But there’s a new big cat on the block, and the McKeesport Tigers have entered the chat.

Greensburg Central Catholic and Jeannette players meet for the coin toss before their game Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.

Jeannette transfers lead Greensburg Central Catholic to win over Jayhawks

Talk about a U-turn.

Ligonier Valley players take the field for their game against Shady Side Academy on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.

Ligonier Valley pulls out thrilling win vs. Shady Side Academy

Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel joked he will need to visit his cardiologist after watching the last 24 seconds of Friday’s game against Shady Side Academy.

Penn-Trafford’s Cade Yacamelli scores a first-quarter touchdown past Franklin Regional’s Logan Donnelly on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at Warrior Stadium.

Franklin Regional can’t cool off Penn-Trafford

A cold front blew through Western Pennsylvania on Friday morning, cooling the unusually warm temperatures.

Greensburg Salem’s Hayden Teska lines up a pass in the rain against Highlands on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at Offutt Field in Greensburg.

Highlands pulls away from Greensburg Salem for important Greater Allegheny win

On a rainy senior night at Greensburg Salem, the Golden Lions and Highlands had an important contest when it came to their playoff hopes.

Moon’s Ben Bladel sacks Bethel Park quarterback Max Blanc during their game on Friday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Moon.

No. 1 Moon shuts out Bethel Park, clinches Allegheny Six title

Moon has a fondness for physical football, clock-consuming drives and 225-pound running backs.

Pine-Richland’s Connor Lenz shown intercepting a pass against Upper St. Clair last season, had a key fumble recovery against Kiski Area on Friday night.

Pine-Richland comes through for victory over Kiski Area

The Kiski Area football team needed a win Friday at Pine-Richland to keep its WPIAL playoff hopes alive in the Northeast Conference.

Armstrong’s Dozick Zabblocki catches a pass as Plum’s Shandon Walsh defends during the first half at Armstrong’s NexTier Bank Complex on Friday, Oct. 23, 2021.

Olsen, Armstrong run wild, hold off Plum

Armstrong is in the WPIAL playoffs for the fourth time in the school’s seven-season existence.

North Hills and Fox Chapel shake hands Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.

Long 1st-half drive sparks North Hills to win over Fox Chapel

After neither team could get things going offensively against stout defensive play in the first half, North Hills took over in the middle of the second quarter with the worst field position for either team at its own 10-yard line.

Southmoreland’s JJ Bloom scored both of his team’s touchdowns in the Scotties’ 55-13 loss to Elizabeth Forward on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at Russ Grimm Field.

Elizabeth Forward clinches conference title with resounding win over Southmoreland

The Southmoreland football team hit visiting Elizabeth Forward with some big body blows in the early part of Friday’s Class 3A Interstate Conference game Friday at Russ Grimm Field in Alverton.