Through the Years: 40 years ago, Jeff Christy sparked big Freeport comeback

By: George Guido
Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 8:24 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.

After falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter, Freeport rallied for a 21-17 victory in the opening round of the 1985 Class 2A playoffs at Washington. Jeff Christy scored on a pair of 1-yard runs, and Brian Henry’s 10-yard run proved decisive. It was also the 200th and final victory of coach Don Earley’s illustrious career.

75 years ago

• In the battle for The Antlers, West Deer topped East Deer, 30-14, behind a pair of scoring passes from Braves quarterback Stan Watychowicz. It meant that East Deer, winner of the 1949 contest, had to return The Antlers Trophy to West Deer.

• Leechburg pounded Arnold, 40-0, for its 19th consecutive victory before an overflow crowd at Leslie Memorial Stadium. Vic Kolenik and Bill Brown each scored a pair of TDs.

60 years ago

• Oakmont stayed undefeated by cruising to a 34-0 victory over Washington Township at Riverside Park. Rick Springer scored two touchdowns and tallied four PATs for the Oaks.

• Leechburg punched its ticket to the WPIAL title game with a 19-12 victory at Freeport. Gene Yajko’s 3-yard run in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference.

50 years ago

• Kittanning notched its first AIC crown with an 8-0 victory at Freeport. The Wildcats blocked a Freeport punt with 4 minutes, 43 seconds remaining, and Bob Ochs ran for a 43-yard touchdown three plays later.

• Kiski Area clinched the Foothills Conference title with a 27-6 Saturday night decision at Derry. Two TD passes from Angelo Fasano to Mark Bartoe paced the Cavaliers.

40 years ago

• Emotions ran high in Oakmont as Chuck Wagner announced he was stepping down after coaching Oakmont and Riverview for 25 seasons following a 14-7 loss to Chartiers-Houston.

25 years ago

• Valley scored 20 unanswered points to post a 27-23 first-round playoff win against Blackhawk. Despite a broken thumb, Donny Booker rushed for three touchdowns, and B.J. Flenory’s 34-yard run with 6:47 left completed the comeback.

• Fox Chapel gave outgoing coach Pat Johnston a victory in the season’s finale with a 33-30 win over Bethel Park. A 7-yard pass from Matt Brunck to Steve Wagner with 1:16 to go the last of nine lead changes.

10 years ago

• Apollo-Ridge lost a first-round playoff heartbreaker to Beaver Falls, 33-29, on a 4-yard run by Derrell Carter with 3.5 seconds to go. Quarterback Kyle Fitzroy had put the Vikings up 29-26 with an 18-yard scramble with 3:15 remaining.

• For the second straight season, Shenango eliminated Springdale from the WPIAL Class A playoffs with a 23-10 victory despite a 103-yard rushing effort by Ben Sowinski.

Five years ago

• Washington fumbled on its first three drives, and Apollo-Ridge scored after each turnover as the Vikings routed the Little Prexies, 42-6, at Owens Field. Logan Harmon ran for 248 yards and three TDs.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Kiski Area, Leechburg, Riverview, Springdale, Valley