Through the Years: In 1963, West Deer earned bragging rights vs. Richland

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 5, 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.

West Deer won the 1963 version of the “Battle of Bakerstown Road” with a 14-12 victory at Richland. Junior running back Paul Martinez scored both Braves touchdowns.

75 years ago

• East Deer won its fifth straight game 19-6 over Verona. Julius Stofega, Henry Cetti and Bob Zarko accounted for the Bucks’ touchdowns.

• Springdale finally hit the victory column with a 20-7 home win against McKees Rocks. Lou Fike ran for two TDs and threw to Charles Drennan for another.

60 years ago

• Arnold defeated Tarentum, 13-7, as 5,000 fans crammed into George Leslie Stadium. A fumble recovery by Herman Demao with eight minutes left set up a 27-yard run by Dave Olivo to decide the issue.

50 years ago

• Kiski Area lost its first home game in five years with Penn Hills downing the Cavaliers, 28-7. Louis Biondi, who became a long-time automobile dealership operator in Monroeville, scored two Indians touchdowns.

• Springdale advanced to 4-1 with a 30-24 decision over Leechburg as the Dynamos employed two quarterbacks with two minutes to go. Jim Zurisko pitched to fellow QB John Valasek, who fired a 30-yard pass to Mike Simcic to pull out the victory.

40 years ago

• Hempfield coach Joe Naunchik saw his Spartans hand his alma mater, Plum, a 22-14 defeat. It was the final Mustangs loss of the season as Plum reeled off seven straight victories to cop the WPIAL 4-A Division II title.

• Kevin Heard ran for three touchdowns as Valley knocked off Swissvale, 33-21, in a Greater Allegheny Conference encounter.

25 years ago

• A 3-yard scramble by Jarrod Sleppy with 8:58 to go lifted Highlands to a 20-19 victory over Valley. Jordan Babinsack’s interception with 1:12 left preserved the win before 7,000 fans in New Kensington.

• Kittanning quarterback H.B. Beckwith’s 67-yard pass to Brent Hockenberry was a key to the Wildcats’ 41-0 victory over Knoch.

10 years ago

• Riverview quarterback Zach Hanus scored twice and made a key interception late in the game to preserve the Raiders’ first victory of the season, 19-12 over Wilkinsburg, under the portable lights at Riverside Park.

• Freeport’s 18-play drive ate up nine minutes of the fourth quarter clock to give the Yellowjackets a 12-10 decision over Burrell. The night wasn’t a total loss for Bucs coach Kevin Horwatt, however, as he became a father for the first time.

Five years ago

• Fox Chapel’s Sam Brown rushed for 155 yards with four touchdowns on 26 carries as the Foxes pounded Connellsville, 45-15.

• Luke Kastelic’s 51-yard interception return put Burrell on its way to a 35-7 home victory over Mt. Pleasant.

Tags: Burrell, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley