Through the years: 10 years ago, Apollo-Ridge’s Duane Brown had night for the ages

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Each week throughout the high school football season, the Valley News Dispatch will take a look at the players, coaches and events that shaped our scholastic legacy.

Duane Brown set a WPIAL single-game rushing record with 460 yards in a 56-35 Apollo-Ridge victory at Deer Lakes on Oct. 23, 2015.

The old mark was 455 yards set by Connellsville’s Marcus Furman in 2000. Brown also tied a WPIAL mark with eight touchdowns in one game, equaling California’s Casey Zajicek from earlier in 2015 and preceding Derry’s Justin Flack in 2018.

100 years ago

• Tarentum’s Benny Beal blocked a Butler punt, and George Nease pounced on the loose football in the end zone for the game’s only score. The 6-0 win kept Tarentum undefeated and unscored upon.

75 years ago

• Plum Township rolled past East Deer-Frazer, 39-6. Future Chicago Bears player Vic Zucco tallied three Mustangs touchdowns.

• Rocco Buffone’s fumble recovery led to a 2-yard run by Ken High’s Leonard Houser resulting in a 7-2 Red Raiders win at Ellwood City.

60 years ago

• Knoch scored twice in the fourth period to defeat Seneca Valley, 14-13. Leroy Frederick’s 52-yard interception return and Keith Porter’s point after proved decisive.

• Burrell scored for the first time in the 1965 season when Waverly (Rocky) Andrews blocked a Tarentum punt and Jeff Johasky picked up the ball and raced 12 yards for a touchdown as the Bucs later settled for a 14-14 tie.

50 years ago

• In just its 14th season, Kiski Area won its 100th game with a stunning 18-13 upset over previously undefeated Penn Hills. Bryan Kiebler’s 98-yard kickoff return provided the winner for the Cavaliers.

• Valley’s Mike Langer and Dave Claassen scored touchdowns, and the Vikings defense produced eight turnovers in a 14-0 shutout over Hempfield.

40 years ago

• A 27-yard pass interception return by Fox Chapel’s Mike Harris with 2 minutes, 30 seconds left in the game was enough for the Foxes to upset Central Catholic, 7-0.

• Todd Hatajik passed to Dave Magoc for three TDs as Highlands recorded a 26-21 decision at Franklin Regional.

25 years ago

• Apollo-Ridge, thought to have clinched the Allegheny Conference title two weeks earlier, had to re-clinch the title after Riverside forfeited a previous game to Burrell. Jake Nulph’s three TD runs advanced the Vikings to 9-0 and the first undefeated season in school history.

• Ford City sophomore Richie Bennett ran for 146 yards and three scores in a 24-19 win at Freeport.

10 years ago

• Junior tailback Nasan Tibbens ran for 222 yards at four touchdowns, lifting Riverview to a 35-17 victory at Leechburg.

Five years ago

• Plum finished its first undefeated season in 43 years by blasting Armstrong, 63-13. Sophomore Eryck Moore scored from 63 yards just 18 seconds into the game.

• Highlands sophomore Chandler Thimons hit on 7 of 9 passing attempts for 311 yards and three TDs in a 35-0 Golden Rams victory over Greensburg Salem.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Highlands, Kiski Area, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Valley