Through the Years: 5 years ago, after pandemic delay, Burrell edged rival Valley

By: George Guido
Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 10:27 AM

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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.

Finally some football. After a two-week delay to the start of the season because of the covid-19 pandemic, Burrell’s Caden DiCaprio ran 30 times for 166 yards and a TD to give the Bucs a 22-13 victory at Valley on Sept. 11, 2020.

75 years ago

• Arnold’s Ed Marzullo threw a 30-yard scoring pass to Neil Laney on a fullback option and later tallied on a 7-yard keeper as the Lions blanked Mars, 19-0.

• Carl Albacker scored on a 1-yard burst and later on a 60-yard sideline run to give Aspinwall a 13-0 victory over Springdale.

60 years ago

• A 6-yard touchdown run by Ken High quarterback Tom Rakoczy with 18 seconds left lifted the Red Raiders to a 19-18 victory over Pittsburgh’s Fifth Avenue.

• Fox Chapel’s Wiley Gaines returned an interception 35 yards for a score and later carried 6 yards for another as the Foxes defeated Hampton, 19-0, at Fridley Field.

50 years ago

• Freeport tailback Jack Huth scored 61 seconds into the game on a 52-yard run and finished with 157 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns to lift the Yellowjackets to a 28-0 home victory over Deer Lakes.

• Springdale rallied for 18 points in the final 13 minutes to upend Knoch, 18-13. Jim Zurisko’s 6-yard pass to Mike Brill with 1:15 left sealed the deal.

40 years ago

• Plum’s Phil Kinney threw scoring passes to Joe Amato and Todd Prete, then tallied on a 1-yard keeper as the Mustangs upset New Castle, 19-12.

• Asayan Jordan scored on a 56-yard pass from Seth Duckworth and later ran 67 yards for another score as Kiski Area blasted Seneca Valley, 37-10.

25 years ago

• Valley scored 27 points in a 10-minute span to knock off Mt. Pleasant, 40-21. Justin Glenn scored on runs of 73 and 20 yards and returned kickoffs for 82 and 88 yards for the Vikings.

• After a four-year stint in Class 3A, Burrell returned to the Class 2A ranks and posted a 17-0 victory over Mars. Tim Eckman and Greg Dulnikowski scored the Bucs’ TDs.

10 years ago

• Armstrong’s first football game turned out to be a midnight special. After three weather delays, the game didn’t end until 12:17 a.m. as the River Hawks posted a 33-14 victory over Hollidaysburg at Red Ullom Field. Zane Dudek ran for 309 yards and the school’s first touchdown on a 4-yard carry.

• Junior Duane Brown scored all five Apollo-Ridge TDs in a 37-34 Vikings victory over Keystone Oaks at Owens Field.

Five years ago

• Chandler Thimons threw for 261 yards and four TDs as Highlands belted Knoch, 39-7, in Greater Allegheny Conference play.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Burrell, Fox Chapel, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Plum, Springdale, Valley