Through the Years: 50 years ago, Freeport spoiled a Deer Lakes housewarming party

By: George Guido
Thursday, September 5, 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.

After five seasons at West Deer’s Braves Stadium, Deer Lakes opened Lancers Stadium only to sustain a 30-7 loss against Freeport on Sept. 7, 1974. Yellowjackets tailback Jack Huth scored the stadium’s first touchdown on a 3-yard run with 7 minutes, 59 seconds left in the first quarter. The Lancers answered with a 4-yard run by Tom Parker.

75 years ago

• Har-Brack’s Rudy Mattioli threw a pair of touchdowns to Bob Grove and another to Frank Stanowski as the Tigers rolled to a 31-6 win before 6,000 fans at Sharon Stadium.

• Tarentum extended its unbeaten streak to 20 games with a 25-12 win over Vandergrift at Dreshar Stadium. Jerry Robinson’s 7-yard run in the third period gave the Redcats the lead for good.

60 years ago

• Springdale’s Bob Helper scored three touchdowns — one on a 24-yard interception return — as the Dynamos beat Pine-Richland, 34-6.

• Oakmont fullback Allen Delmonaco threw two option passes for touchdowns, and halfback Rick Springer added another as the Oaks blasted West Mifflin South, 31-7, at Riverside Park.

50 years ago

• First cousins Tim and John Collins each scored TDs as Highlands raced past North Allegheny, 20-7.

40 years ago

• Chris Thorpe had a big day for Fox Chapel, rushing 19 times for 238 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Foxes to a 31-0 win over Knoch.

• Burrell rolled past Ford City, 32-0, at Buccaneer Stadium. Jason Altmire, who later became a U.S. Congressman, hauled in a 3-yard scoring toss from Jeff McCarrell.

25 years ago

• The switch from jersey number 90 to 34 paid off for Deer Lakes senior Ryan Zalus. He carried 22 times for 229 yards, scored all three Lancers TDs, intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble and kicked two extra points in a 20-12 win over East Allegheny.

• Ford City’s Dan Jageman ran for a career-high 137 yards and a touchdown after catching a 19-yard scoring pass from Adam Peck en route to a 34-0 Sabers victory over Beth-Center.

10 years ago

• Freeport’s Ian Miller ran for two touchdowns, and the Yellowjackets defense recorded five sacks and three interceptions in a 19-0 victory over Ford City.

• Wil Burress returned an interception 45 yards for a score, one of four Highlands takeaways in a 35-13 Golden Rams win over Deer Lakes.

Five years ago

• Knoch won the 300th game in school history with a 42-7 victory over Beaver. Matt Goodlin ran for a school-record 298 yards for the 3-0 Knights.

• Leechburg quarterback Dylan Cook and freshman Braylan Lovelace each scored rushing touchdowns in a 13-6 Blue Devils win over Rochester.

Tags: Armstrong, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Knoch, Leechburg, Riverview, Springdale