Through the Years: In 2000, Valley stayed unbeaten at Highlands’ expense

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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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.

Donny Booker scored on runs of 9 and 4 yards to lift 7-0 Valley to a 21-7 victory over Highlands on Oct. 13, 2000, at Nick Staresenic Stadium. The Vikings’ Craig Duncan picked off two Golden Rams passes.

75 years ago

• Chuck Wagner scored on a 45-yard run to spur Oakmont to a 12-2 upset over West Deer at Scaife Field. As a future hall of fame coach, Wagner would accumulate 270 victories, the A-K Valley’s all-time best.

• Har-Brack blanked Penn Hills, 19-0, at Rosedale Field. Joe Herring’s 4-yard run in the second quarter proved to be all the Tigers would need.

60 years ago

• In a battle of undefeated neighbors, Leechburg downed Apollo, 32-13. Blue Devils halfback Jim Girardi scored two touchdowns. Since it was a nonconference clash, Apollo stayed alive for the WPIAL title.

• Freeport spilled Kittanning from the unbeaten ranks with a 23-7 victory behind Ralph Westerman’s scoring passes of 34 and 53 yards to Ron Ballina.

50 years ago

• Highlands shocked Gateway, 7-6. A 57-yard TD run by Robbie Samuels was followed by an extra point from Ethiopian exchange student Gaebre Daniel.

• Leechburg stunned Freeport, 3-0, on a 19-yard field goal by Frank Pastva. Terry Klingensmith and Mike Garrone sacked Freeport’s Mark Nealer on a late fourth-down play to ice the win.

40 years ago

• Kiski Area advanced to 7-0 with a 40-0 romp over North Catholic at Lt. J.C. Stone Field. Seth Duckworth tossed three TD passes and the Cavaliers defense held the Trojans to minus-7 yards rushing.

• A first-quarter field goal by Plum’s John Moores held up, and four Mustangs sacks for minus-32 yards were keys to a 3-0 win over Norwin.

25 years ago

• Apollo-Ridge claimed the first conference title in school history by blasting Northgate, 40-6. Jake Nulph threw for 133 yards and three TDs.

10 years ago

• Knoch senior and Ohio University baseball recruit Cole Shinsky changed his mind and returned to the football field in time to throw for 148 yards and one touchdown, guiding the Knights to a 21-14 win over Hollidaysburg.

• The Deer Lakes defense returned three fumble recoveries for touchdowns in the first half, and Hunter Burns rushed for 231 yards in a 41-16 Lancers victory at Summit Academy.

Five years ago

• Springdale went to 4-0 for the second consecutive season by downing Greensburg Central Catholic, 45-22. Legend Ausk returned to the lineup and threw for 203 yards and two scores, and Logan Dexter ran for two more TDs.

• Burrell’s A.J. Corrado caught 11 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns to give the Bucs a 44-6 win over Deer Lakes.

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