Through the years: Kittanning stayed unbeaten at Burrell’s expense in 2013

By: George Guido
Thursday, September 28, 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.

Kittanning remained undefeated with a 48-14 victory at Burrell on Sept. 27, 2013. Alek Schaffer caught scoring passes of 54 and 65 yards, and current Miami Dolphins tight end Nick Bowers scored on an early 4-yard run for the Wildcats.

75 years ago

• Ken High won its 21st consecutive game, 20-0 over Steubenville Central Catholic. Joe Girdano’s 49-yard punt return preceded a TD run by Willie Thrower and a Thrower scoring pass to Jack Haser.

• Tarentum handed Arnold its first loss of the season with a 25-7 victory at Dreshar Stadium. Floyd (Dixon) Anthony scored three Redcats touchdowns.

60 years ago

• Leechburg remained undefeated with a 26-13 home victory over Ford City. Dan Carroll threw for two touchdowns and scored on a 43-yard keeper for the Blue Devils.

• Oakmont blanked Blairsville, 19-0, behind a 49-yard pick-6 from Len Persin. Blairsville was a WPIAL member school at the time.

50 years ago

• Kiski Area’s Jeff Jackson, making his first varsity start, scored two touchdowns and the decisive 2-point conversion to lift the Cavaliers to a 23-21 victory over Connellsville.

• Despite three Freeport fumbles inside the Richland 12, the Yellowjackets managed a 10-yard TD by Dan Leri in a driving rainstorm en route to a 9-0 victory.

40 years ago

• A.J. Pagano returned a punt 88 yards for Knoch and added a 51-yard run later as the Knights hammered Swissvale, 55-7, in Greater Allegheny Conference action. Knoch also picked off five Gold Flashes passes.

• Highlands kick returner J.D. Kindler started the scoring with an 80-yard return on the opening kickoff, and Mark Zendarski added a later TD, giving the Golden Rams their first victory of the season, 17-6, over Latrobe.

25 years ago

• Riverview coach Jake Cappa won his 100th career game with a 17-13 victory at Clairton. Earl Bellisario’s 7-yard run and a 35-yard field goal paced the Raiders.

• Dane Park ran for 175 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-6 Burrell victory over Kittanning.

10 years ago

• Valley’s Dylan Clarke scored three touchdowns, and Demetrius Houser added two in the Vikings’ 46-32 victory over Yough.

Five years ago

• Deer Lakes took advantage of three Burrell turnovers and rolled to a 34-21 victory over the Bucs. Aris Hasley threw for three touchdowns and ran in one on his own for the Lancers.

• Freeport held Yough’s Dustin Shoaf, the WPIAL’s leading rusher, to just 89 yards as the Yellowjackets posted a 20-0 home victory.

Tags: Armstrong, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Riverview, Valley