Through the years: 60 years ago, Kittanning spoiled Burrell’s grand opening

By: George Guido
Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 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.

Burrell opened Buccaneer Stadium with a 26-0 setback against Kittanning on Sept. 14, 1965. Bob Schonecker scored the stadium’s first touchdown on a 7-yard pass from Brad Houser.

75 years ago

• Leechburg extended its unbeaten string to 22 games with a 34-12 win over Freeport. Bill Czirjak caught a 45-yard scoring pass from Tom Favero and returned an interception 20 yards for another tally.

• Springdale blanked East Deer-Frazer, 19-0, behind a pair of Jim Allias rushing touchdowns.

60 years ago

• A capacity crowd in Creighton watched East Deer-Frazer post a 19-6 victory over Karns City behind Larry Kushner’s runs of 45 yards and 1 yard.

50 years ago

• Better known as an all-state basketball player, Valley’s B.B. Flenory convinced coach Tim Thyreen he could get open and the result was a 23-yard scoring pass with Flenory barely keeping his feet in bounds. Tom Wyant then threw a 2-point conversion pass to Fred Seguiti as Valley stunned Kiski Area, 8-7.

• Apollo-Ridge gave coach Harry Rollinson his first victory with a 22-8 upset at Knoch. Joe Ralph returned a fumble 86 yards for the Vikings.

40 years ago

• Knoch quarterback John Ivory threw for 277 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Knights to a 35-7 win over Hampton.

• Phil Hayden’s 72-yard TD run with 1 minute, 16 seconds to go iced a 14-6 Highlands victory over Fox Chapel.

25 years ago

• Kiski Area scored all 28 points in the fourth period to post a 28-12 win over Franklin Regional. Tristan Booker broke the school’s career rushing record with 1,884 yards during the game.

• Burrell’s defense held Freeport to 25 rushing yards en route to a 21-0 victory.

10 years ago

• Deer Lakes senior Hunter Burns rushed for 183 yards, a touchdown and a key 2-point conversion to lift the Lancers to a 14-12 victory at Valley.

• Freeport quarterback Ryan Weigold passed for 289 yards and five scores in a 41-0 win over Summit Academy.

Five years ago

• Plum’s Logan Brooks caught three of four Ryan Hubner touchdown passes in a 48-10 Mustangs win over Indiana.

• A potential winning drive for Knoch was halted by Greensburg Salem’s Ahkeem White’s interception with a minute left as the Golden Lions recorded the school’s 700th victory 13-12.

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