Through the years: Valley kept its win streak vs. Burrell going in ’17

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 13, 2022 | 11:01 AM

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.

Valley’s first-year football player, senior Shawn Demharter, returned an interception 23 yards for a score as the Vikings downed Burrell for the fifth straight year, 18-13, on Oct. 14, 2017.

75 years ago

• Leechburg blanked Ford City, 19-0, behind touchdown runs of 24 and 72 yards by Mooley Walker. Leechburg was nicknamed the “Blue Wave” at the time.

• Har-Brack remained undefeated by edging Penn High (now known as Penn Hills), 7-6, behind Ed (Big Mo) Modzelewski’s 5-yard run and Jim Bartell’s PAT.

60 years ago

• Apollo remained in the WPIAL Class B title hunt with a 33-13 victory over neighboring Washington Township. Art Williamson and Gary Rearic had two TDs each for the Striped Tigers.

• Kiski Area won the first game in school history, 13-12, over Latrobe. Sam Maraffi and Darwin Pilson had the Cavaliers’ touchdowns.

50 years ago

• Tom Manley scored on a 66-yard punt return and 53-yard sweep to pace 4-1-1 Highlands to a 48-0 romp over visiting Steel Valley.

• Plum left halfback Steve Swartzwelder scored three TDs as the Mustangs took the measure of East Allegheny, 26-6.

40 years ago

• Freeport’s defense held Ford City to 10 net rushing yards as the Yellowjackets posted a 26-6 victory. Brad Rehak threw two TD passes and ran for another score.

• Riverview knocked off Bishop Boyle, 21-0, at Munhall’s West Field. Raiders quarterback Bob Shoop, now defensive coordinator at South Florida, threw a 29-yard scoring pass to Doug Adamson.

25 years ago

• Ford City’s Ben Contrucci tallied four touchdowns as the Sabers defeated Deer Lakes, 32-14.

• Fox Chapel scored two touchdowns in the first seven minutes en route to a 28-14 victory over Franklin Regional as the Foxes remained undefeated in the Quad East Conference.

10 years ago

• A 19-yard field goal by Lonny Wells as time ran out lifted Apollo-Ridge to a 20-19 victory over Northgate at Bellevue’s Alumni Field.

• Burrell junior quarterback Cody Wolfe stepped in for the injured James Liput and led the Bucs to a 17-10 victory over Ford City. Wolfe threw a 28-yard pass to Cole Bush to get the scoring underway.

Five years ago

• Deer Lakes traveled to Lawrence County and emerged with its first victory of the season, 33-0, over Laurel. Josh Solomon ran for three touchdowns.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, East Allegheny, Fox Chapel, Franklin Regional, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Latrobe, Laurel, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Steel Valley, Valley