Through the years: A decade ago, Apollo-Ridge won big in ‘Viking Bowl’

By: George Guido
Thursday, August 29, 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.

In what was billed the Viking Bowl, Apollo-Ridge’s Vikings defeated Valley’s Vikings, 49-0, in 2014. Big plays included an 81-yard scoring run by Jonah Casella, a 92-yard punt return by Tre Tipton and a 47-yard interception return by Duane Brown.

75 years ago

• Leechburg blew past Washington Township in the season’s opener 33-0. Dom Garda scored the first of two touchdowns on a 65-yard run.

• An interception and 10-yard return by Lou Abel with four minutes left in the game was the decisive score in Arnold’s 14-7 victory over Mars at Leslie Memorial Stadium.

60 years ago

• After eight seasons as a PIAA District 9 school, Knoch won its WPIAL debut with a 20-7 decision at Mars. Keith Porter scored the school’s first WPIAL touchdown on a 2-yard run in the first quarter.

• Apollo won the first game in coach Chuck Bonello’s tenure, 27-16 over Saltsburg. Jim Stankus scored three TDs and ran for two PATs, worth one point at the time.

50 years ago

• Jeff Jackson scored both Kiski Area touchdowns in the second quarter to lift the Cavaliers to a 13-6 win over Derry.

• Riverview had a touchdown denied when a Raiders player was detected with his mouthpiece dangling out. Leechburg responded with two Frank Spaniel touchdowns in a 21-12 Blue Devils victory.

40 years ago

• Valley overcame a 19-point deficit to defeat Burrell, 26-25. Kevin Heard scored the decisive touchdown from 8 yards with 52 seconds to go, and Mike McNabb booted the extra point.

• Freeport’s trip to Lawrence County proved successful as Mike Petras scored on a 14-yard run, and Mike Brestensky kicked a 22-yard field goal in a 10-0 Yellowjackets win against Neshannock.

25 years ago

• Valley’s Andre Burke caught a 76-yard scoring pass from Dom Girardi and tallied two more touchdowns on the ground as the Vikings soared past Knoch, 42-8.

• With Highlands athletic director Bill Heasley serving as interim coach while the district’s teachers were on strike, Justin Bouch hauled in an 11-yard scoring pass from Jordan Babinsack to highlight a 20-6 Golden Rams win over Derry.

10 years ago

• A 19-yard run by Leechburg fullback Luke Camp with 1 minute, 21 seconds remaining lifted the Blue Devils to a 19-13 victory over Springdale.

Five years ago

• Central Catholic transfer Alex Arledge passed for 206 yards and two touchdowns, including a 56-yard aerial to Seth Fischbach, as Burrell defeated Valley, 20-0.

• Logan Harmon rushed for three touchdowns and scored on a 96-yard fumble return in Apollo-Ridge’s 28-12 victory over Leechburg.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Riverview, Springdale, Valley