Through the years: In 1948, Ken High won bruising battle with Ambridge

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 26, 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.

Ken High remained in WPIAL title contention with a hard-fought, 25-19 victory at Ambridge on Oct. 25, 1948. The game was marked by rough play that resulted in Ken High’s Renaldo Kozikowski suffering a broken jaw and several Red Raiders unable to continue play.

75 years ago

• East Deer improved to 8-0 with a 25-19 victory at Plum Township. Dave Ferrari’s 2-yard scoring run proved to be the game-winner.

60 years ago

• Arnold handed Leechburg its first loss of the season, 18-6, before an overflow crowd at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Lions held the Blue Devils to just 41 net offensive yards.

• In the battle for the Antlers Trophy, West Deer turned back East Deer-Frazer, 20-16. Larry Guerrieri scored on a 97-yard punt return, and Joe Paskorz had a 70-yard pick-6.

50 years ago

• Despite Freeport’s first-team defense not allowing a touchdown all season, Springdale put up 35 points against 6 for the Yellowjackets to take over first place in the AIC. Sam Sack tallied a pair of Dynamos TDs.

• Kiski Area’s four-year reign as Foothills Conference champs ended as Greensburg Salem quarterback Jeff Kaufman found John Holland in the end zone on a 3-yard pass with 2:51 to go for a 35-28 victory.

40 years ago

• Knoch took a major step toward its sixth WPIAL playoff berth in eight seasons with a 30-0 victory over Valley. Three Knights touchdowns within 2 minutes, 5 seconds of the third quarter sealed the deal.

• Fox Chapel stayed in the playoff race with a resounding 38-0 victory over Kiski Area. Sean Densmore and Chris Thorpe scored a pair TDs each for the Foxes.

25 years ago

• Lucas Heakins scored on runs of 67 and 64 yards, and defensive lineman Ethan Gigler recorded six tackles and a sack to lead Riverview to a 33-3 victory at Springdale.

• Burrell clinched a playoff berth by clobbering Pine-Richland, 49-14. Dane Park ran for three touchdowns, and Mike Zollinger and Kirk Rhoades tallied a pair of TDs each.

10 years ago

• Kiski Area secured a playoff berth with a 27-16 victory over Latrobe. A blocked punt by Lincoln Clayton at the Latrobe 4 led to a Chad Kuhn touchdown to get the scoring underway.

• Jesse Zelonka threw for 282 yards and four touchdowns as Apollo-Ridge defeated West Shamokin in a playoff tuneup for both teams.

Five years ago

• Leechburg clinched a .500 record for the first time in 27 years with a 44-21 victory at Springdale. Jake Blumer scored a on a rushing play and on a pass reception.

• Matt Goodlin set a Knoch school record with 234 rushing yards as the Knights handed Freeport a 26-7 loss.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley