Through the Years: 60 years ago, West Deer went toe-to-toe with Richland

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 2, 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.

West Deer’s Bill Smith returned the opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown at Richland on Oct. 2, 1965. Bob Pagano, however, returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for one of his two touchdowns and an eventual 14-12 Rams victory.

100 years ago

• Jerome Kernan scored a pair of touchdowns as Ken High blasted Arnold, 33-0. Kernan was also successful on three drop kicks for extra points.

75 years ago

• Rudy Mattioli’s 43-yard pass to Joe Horning in the waning moments lifted Har-Brack to a 13-6 victory over Central Catholic.

• Tarentum stayed alive in the WPIAL Class A title race with a 19-13 win over Ford City, with Paul Gongola’s 90-yard kickoff return making the difference. Future Washington Senators pitcher Ed Hobaugh caught a 33-yard pass to keep the Glassers in the game.

60 years ago

• Freeport quarterback Ralph Westerman’s fourth-down sneak from the Plum 1 lifted the Yellowjackets to a 13-9 road victory.

50 years ago

• Future Pro Football Hall of Famer Russ Grimm, playing quarterback for Southmoreland, ran for two touchdowns as the Scotties knocked off Franklin Regional, 26-7. Kicker David Trout, who broke his arm earlier in the game, booted two field goals.

• Steve Paskorz tallied a pair of touchdowns, and Mike Stariha returned a fumble 45 yards in a 23-8 Lancers victory over Hampton.

40 years ago

• Chris Trimble ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns as Riverview blanked Westinghouse, 20-0.

• Knoch put together a 14-play, 87-yard drive resulting in a Jarod Schmeider 2-yard scoring plunge in the fourth quarter to secure a 20-7 Knights victory at Seneca Valley.

25 years ago

• Apollo-Ridge became the first area team to clinch a WPIAL playoff berth with a 46-14 victory over Ford City. Brian Newton put the new, $9,000 Owens Field scoreboard to work quickly with a 90-yard return of the opening kickoff.

• Valley’s Donny Booker ripped the football away from Pine-Richland quarterback Kevin McCabe and scored a touchdown on the following play with 3 minutes, 26 seconds left to give the Vikings a 13-10 victory.

10 years ago

• Kiski Area’s Jon Bracy, on a fullback option, hit Cameron Turner on an 80-yard scoring play and later intercepted a pass to give the Cavaliers a 23-14 victory over Plum.

• Burrell quarterback Max Garda ran for 93 yards, passed for 109 more and gathered a pair of pick-offs in a 30-6 Bucs victory at West Shamokin.

Five years ago

• Freshman Eryck Moore’s 32-yard TD run culminated a 63-yard touchdown drive to give Plum the lead for good in a 20-7 victory over Highlands.