Sports

Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher carries against Belle Vernon on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.

WPIAL Class 4A football roundup: Laurel Highlands upsets No. 4 Thomas Jefferson

October 1, 2022

Rodney Gallagher threw two touchdown passes for Laurel Highlands as the Mustangs upset No. 4 Thomas Jefferson, 31-24, in a Class 4A Big Seven Conference football game Friday night.

Central Catholic quarterback Payton Wehner works out on Monday, August 1, 2022, in Oakland.

WPIAL Class 6A/5A football roundup: Central Catholic rallies to beat No. 2 Canon-McMillan

Xavier Thomas scored on a 45-yard interception return and a 75-yard punt return as No. 5 Central Catholic rallied for a 31-20 victory over No. 2 Canon-McMillan (2-4, 1-2) in a Class 6A football game Friday night.

Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin runs for a 79-yard touchdown against South Allegheny on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Belle Vernon opens conference play with dominant win over South Allegheny

September 30, 2022

Belle Vernon football coach Matt Humbert wanted his team to be battled tested when Class 3A Interstate Conference play began Friday night.

Elizabeth Forward’s Keilly Rush scores against Southmoreland on Sept. 30, 2022, at Southmoreland.

Elizabeth Forward dominates Southmoreland for conference win

Southmoreland scored on its opening possession, but Elizabeth Forward responded in a big way to defeat the homestanding Scotties, 42-6, in Interstate Conference play Friday night at Russ Grimm Field in Alverton.

Shaler players salute the crowd after defeating Woodland Hills on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Late touchdown gives resurgent Shaler its 1st victory over Woodland Hills

After his team’s thrilling double-overtime victory over Franklin Regional on homecoming last week, Shaler coach Jim Ryan said he hoped the win would kick start the Titans into conference play.

Monessen’s Daevon Burke ran nine times for 233 yards against West Greene on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Pair of 200-yard rushers help Monessen beat West Greene for 4th straight win

For the first time in 50 years, Monessen featured a pair of 200-yard rushers Friday night.

Avonworth players gather after defeating West Mifflin on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Key goal-line stand highlights Avonworth’s hard-fought win over West Mifflin

It wasn’t a pretty start for Avonworth, but it turned into a beautiful ending.

A view of the field at Penn-Trafford High School prior to the start of a high school football game between Norwin and Penn-Trafford on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Harrison City.

Penn-Trafford bounces back for shutout of Norwin

Penn-Trafford shrugged off last week’s disappointing loss to one of its arch-rivals and took out its frustrations this week on another.

Plum quarterback Sean Franzi is sacked by Franklin Regional’s Andrew DeVola on Friday.

Franklin Regional rides big 2nd half past Plum

Franklin Regional suffered a disappointing loss last Saturday in double overtime to Shaler. After the first half Friday in Murrysville, it looked like the Panthers may have been on their way to another disappointment.

Mt. Pleasant’s Robbie Labuda and Greensburg Salem’s Cody Rubrecht play Sept. 20, 2022, at Mt. Pleasant.

4th-quarter scoring spurt propels Mt. Pleasant past Greensburg Salem

Mt. Pleasant and Greensburg Salem were locked in a close battle early in the fourth quarter when Vikings junior linebacker Camden Moore came up with a clutch interception at his team’s 29-yard-line.

Gateway quarterback Brad Birch throws a touchdown pass during the first quarter against Hempfield on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at Spartan Stadium.

Brad Birch leads Gateway to rout of previously unbeaten Hempfield

Would anyone have been surprised if Gateway quarterback Brad Birch crashed the halftime homecoming ceremony, took the blue-and-white balloons and named himself Hempfield’s king?

Burrell ran past Amani Christian on Friday for a 41-30 win.

Devin Beattie’s 6-TD game leads Burrell past Imani Christian

Burrell improved to 5-1 Friday by defeating Imani Christian, 41-30, at UPMC Graham Field.

Knoch and Deer Lakes players meet for the coin toss before their game Sept. 30, 2022, at Deer Lakes.

Deer Lakes holds off Knoch’s furious rally

The Deer Lakes and Knoch football teams put the pedal to the metal in the fourth quarter of their Allegheny 6 Conference opener Friday at Deer Lakes’ Lancers Stadium.

Greensburg Central Catholic’s Jaydin Canady celebrates a touchdown against Clairton with teammate Samir Crosby (12) on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at Greensburg Central Catholic.

GCC uses big plays to upset Clairton, get 1st win over Bears since 2001

No Greensburg Central Catholic team had beaten Clairton since 2001.

Highlands’ Landan Signorella and Aiden Burford celebrate with Chandler Thimons after Thimons’ touchdown against Mars in the second quarter Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at Highlands Golden Rams Stadium.

Randolph scores 5 TDs to lead win over Mars, keep Highlands undefeated

Highlands junior Aaran Randolph had a night to remember.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is examined during the first half Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Cincinnati.

NFL’s handling of concussions questioned after Tua’s injury

The NFL’s handling of concussions has evolved dramatically from the days when players were handed smelling salts on the bench and sent back into the game.

Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) breaks away from Central Michigan linebacker Dakota Cochran (52) during the second half Sept. 24, 2022.

No. 11 Penn State hosts Northwestern trying to stay perfect

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State coach James Franklin realizes it’s a luxury to have so many serviceable players at his disposal this early in the season. Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald is impressed by the numbers.

Franklin Regional head coach Lance Getsy talks with his team during a preseason practice.

5 things to watch in Week 5 of high school football

In an ultra-competitive Class 5A, Bethel Park, Hempfield and Upper St. Clair are the only WPIAL teams that haven’t lost to a 5A opponent yet this season — a list that keeps getting shorter.