Through the years: 60 years ago, Har-Brack topped Ken High in thriller

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 19, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Each week throughout the high school football season, the Valley News Dispatch will take a look back at the games, players and events that have shaped local scholastic history.

A 51-yard scoring pass late in the game from Har-Brack’s Tim Karrs to Howard King lifted the Tigers to a 20-14 victory over Ken High on Oct. 18, 1963. Karrs then picked off a late Ken High pass, and Har-Brack ran out the clock.

75 years ago

• Ken High’s run of 22 consecutive wins was halted by a 7-7 tie against Allentown’s Allen High School. Willie Thrower ran for 85 yards for the only Red Raiders score and intercepted a late pass at the Ken High 5 to prevent a likely loss.

• Springdale and Ford City played to a 13-13 stalemate at PPG Field. Dick Drennan fell on a loose ball in the end zone after a bobbled Glassers kickoff, but Bob Stivason’s late TD tied it.

60 years ago

• Apollo safety Jim Coulter returned an interception 70 yards on the game’s second play to pace a 24-13 Striped Tigers victory over Elders Ridge. Bob Buchner added two Apollo TDs.

50 years ago

• Valley’s Kevin Thrower set a school record with five touchdowns as the Vikings pounded Norwin, 33-7, to stay alive in the Foothills Conference race.

• Dan Leri ran for a pair of third-quarter touchdowns and tossed a conversion pass to tackle eligible Keith Rhodes to guide the Yellowjackets to a 28-0 victory over Apollo-Ridge.

40 years ago

• Plum coach Abby Mauro’s switch of Paul Palamara from fullback to tailback paid immediate dividends as the senior carried 22 times for 138 yards and a touchdown to give the Mustangs a 22-0 victory at Laurel Highlands.

• Deer Lakes overcame rainy conditions to defeat Richland, 30-8. Darek Paskorz ran for two TDs, and Rick Stoneburner threw for a TD and a pair of 2-point conversions.

25 years ago

• Mike Laurito’s interception in the end zone with 10 seconds left preserved a 15-12 Riverview victory over Duquesne. Lucas Heakins pulled down Dukes standout Todd Harris at the Raiders 3 moments earlier.

• Undefeated Highlands clinched a playoff berth by blanking Burrell, 17-0. Jordan Babinsack scored on a 16-yard pass from Jarrod Sleppy and secured a fumble and interception on defense.

10 years ago

• Burrell posted an emotional 24-15 victory over Ford City less than a week after press box spotter and former Bucs quarterback Jim Liput died of a heart attack. His father, Butch Liput, continued public address duties despite his grief.

• West Shamokin qualified for its first WPIAL playoff berth with a 36-6 win over Leechburg at Jack Boyer Field. The Wolves were a year removed from the WPIAL’s longest 46-game losing streak.

Five years ago

• Leechburg reached four wins for the first time since 2000 by blanking Bentworth, 28-0. Bret Kardos ran for 158 yards, and Jake Blumer scored on a 42-yard interception return.

• Knoch pounded Trinity, 41-14. Chase Mullen ran for three TDs and threw a 32-yarder to Scott Fraser for another.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport, Highlands, Knoch, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley