Through the years: 25 years ago, Knoch ran past Burrell

By: George Guido
Thursday, September 12, 2024 | 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.

Knoch quarterback Nick Gammell ran for 175 yards, including a 61-yard keeper, helping to lift the Knights to a 28-23 victory at Burrell on Sept. 17, 1999. Joe Campbell’s 8-yard run in the fourth quarter proved to be the winner.

75 years ago

• Freeport’s 17-game winning streak was snapped with a 19-0 loss to Ford City. Bobby Stivason scored all three Glassers touchdowns, the first coming on a 76-yard run.

• Springdale blasted East Deer-Frazer, 33-6, behind a pair of TD runs by fullback Babe Accorsi.

60 years ago

• Franklin Regional dedicated its new stadium with a 31-14 victory over Trafford. Bill Apel hit split end Dave Spruance for a 12-yard pass and the first Panthers Stadium touchdown.

• Bruising Arnold fullback John Henry Favors scored on an 85-yard kickoff return as the Lions manhandled West Deer, 34-7. A blocked punt by George Hustak for a safety gave Arnold an early, 2-0 lead.

50 years ago

• Marcus Woody’s 58-yard interception return, coupled with Andy Vida’s 8-yard sweep, gave Kiski Area a 12-0 victory over Latrobe.

• J.P. Froelich’s touchdown with 29 seconds to go lifted Riverview to a 14-8 victory at Ford City. A fumble recovery by Chuck Tursky led to the first Raiders touchdown in the second quarter.

40 years ago

• Fox Chapel stormed out to a 28-0 halftime lead behind two Chris Thorpe TDs, and Derek Morasco put the icing on the cake with a 75-yard kickoff return as the Foxes defeated Highlands, 38-14.

• Kevin Heard and Bill Kemp ran for two touchdowns each, pacing Valley to a 40-14 win over Churchill.

25 years ago

• Defending WPIAL champion Shady Side Academy needed overtime to defeat Ford City, 13-10. Ric San Doval scored the tying touchdown with 1 minute, 47 seconds left in regulation, then tallied the winner as the Indians won their 15th consecutive Allegheny Conference game.

10 years ago

• Tre Tipton and Duane Brown combined for 510 yards of offense as Apollo-Ridge ended Kittanning’s 10-game conference winning streak with a 44-41 overtime victory.

• Elijah Jackson had 179 rushing yards and two TDs, and his brother, Jeremy Jackson, had two second-quarter pass interceptions — one for a 39-yard score — giving Highlands a convincing 47-20 win at West Shamokin.

Five years ago

• Deer Lakes quarterback Aris Hasley tossed five touchdowns passes as the Lancers hammered Uniontown, 35-13.

• Leechburg’s Jake Blumer scored six touchdowns — one short of Dick Hunter’s school record — but it wasn’t enough as Greensburg Central Catholic held on for a 42-41 triple-overtime victory.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Riverview, Shady Side Academy, Springdale, Valley