Through the Years: Freeport played final game at Swartz Memorial Stadium in 2015

By: George Guido
Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 12:18 PM

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 76 seasons, Freeport played its final game at Swartz Memorial Stadium and dominated McGuffey, 45-6, in a Class 2A playoff game Nov. 6, 2015. Quarterback Ryan Weigold completed 22 of 24 passes for 353 yards and five scores for the 9-1 Yellowjackets.

75 years ago

• Har-Brack thwarted Munhall’s WPIAL title hopes by defeating the Indians, 6-0, at muddy Har-Brack Field. Willie Ellard scored the game’s only touchdown on a 65-yard run.

• Bell Township finished its second consecutive undefeated campaign with a 19-0 win over Elders Ridge behind two Jimmy Ripple TDs.

60 years ago

• It was time to say goodbye to Washington Township High School football as the Crimson Tide rolled past Ligonier, 31-6. Ron Daugherty scored the last touchdown in school history on a 3-yard run to end the third period. The school ended its legacy with a 109-156-22 record, but it was 51-17-4 over its last eight seasons with one WPIAL title and one runner-up.

• Apollo punched its ticket to the WPIAL Class B title game with a 32-12 victory over South Huntingdon, combined with an 18-7 Avalon loss to Bellevue. Jim Nelson scored two Striped Tigers TDs and picked off three Eagles passes as the community’s celebration spread from Owens Field to the downtown.

50 years ago

• WPIAL history was made as Kiski Area and North Allegheny battled in the first playoff game decided by the overtime procedure where each team gets a series of downs at the 10-yard line. Mark Shaffer’s field goal gave the Cavaliers a brief 10-7 advantage only to see the Tigers’ Mark Fritz score a touchdown for the 13-10 win.

• Kittanning won the first (and only) playoff game in school history as the Wildcats crushed Union, 32-8, at Leechburg Veterans Stadium. Bob Ochs scored four TDs, and Kurt Bowers booted a field goal and two PATs. Kittanning’s defense limited the Scotties to 14 net rushing yards.

40 years ago

• Kiski Area fell to Aliquippa, 24-7, in an opening-round Class 3A playoff game at Davis Field. John Norman ran for 166 yards and two scores for the Quips.

25 years ago

• Apollo-Ridge’s dream season ended with a nightmare against Steel Valley. The Vikings took a 26-0 lead, but the Ironmen scored 20 unanswered points in the second half for a 34-26 shocker. Brian Newton scored three touchdowns and had one interception before suffering a hip injury.

• Riverview lost to big-play Farrell, 34-16, in a Class A first-round game at Riverside Park. The Steelers scored on plays of 86, 37 and 54 yards from scrimmage.

10 years ago

• Highlands’ title hopes were derailed by Seton LaSalle sophomore Lionel Deans, who ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-14 Class 2A win. Pitt recruit Paris Ford returned two interceptions for TDs.

Five years ago

• Plum led Thomas Jefferson by 10 in the first half, only to see the Jaguars rally for a 20-17 victory in a Class 4A semifinal. The Mustangs were seeking their first championship game appearance since the 1983 title run.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Plum, Riverview