Through the years: Willie Thrower TDs, trick play sparked Ken High to win in 1948

By: George Guido
Thursday, September 7, 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’s Willie Thrower threw a pair of scoring passes, and guard Renaldo Kozikowski opened the scoring by realizing a lineman’s dream, finding the end zone from 57 yards on the old Statue of Liberty play. The Red Raiders secured a 20-0 victory over Central Catholic before nearly 8,000 fans at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 10, 1948.

75 years ago

• In an era when the season opened the Friday after Labor Day, Plum blanked Sharpsburg, 20-0, behind two Bill Copeland touchdowns. The Mustangs held the Wolverines to just three first downs.

60 years ago

• Freeport went to 2-0 with a 27-13 victory at Tarentum. Chip Young ran for two Yellowjackets TDs and threw an option pass to Barry Babinsack for another.

• Springdale earned a 14-0 victory at Fox Chapel behind scoring runs from Ernie Maglisco and Jim Christie.

50 years ago

• Valley went to 2-0 for the first time in school history with a 27-10 victory over Canevin Catholic behind a pair of touchdowns from both Mario Shannon and John Martin. The stadium’s name was changed from Ken High Memorial to Valley High Memorial in a pregame ceremony.

• Kim Sypula, lining up at halfback for the only time in the game, scored from 12 yards with 2 minutes, 46 seconds to go, lifting Highlands to a 19-12 victory over North Allegheny.

40 years ago

• A new agreement between Leechburg Area teachers and the school board on supplemental contracts allowed coach Larry Cignetti and his regular staff to guide the Blue Devils to a 14-6 victory over Mars behind two Bob Marco touchdowns. Had an agreement not been reached, administrators would have coached the team.

• Fred Soilis returned an interception 35 yards to get the scoring underway as Riverview blanked Shady Side Academy, 20-0.

25 years ago

• A 51-yard run on a fake punt by Barry Taylor was the key to Valley’s 34-14 victory over Kittanning. Sophomore Donny Booker ran for two Vikings scores.

• Highlands held Hampton to nine rushing yards in a 49-0 romp over the Talbots. Mark Corbett and Jarrod Sleppy ran for two TDs each.

10 years ago

• Apollo-Ridge set a school record for points in a game by blasting Wilkinsburg, 56-36. Duane Brown scored on a 6-yard run and a 49-yard interception return.

• Kiski Area’s Joe Brungo picked off two Altoona passes and scored on a reception from Chad Kuhn as the Cavaliers blanked Altoona, 20-0.

Five years ago

• Playing in his hometown of New Kensington, Shady Side Academy’s Skyy Moore threw three touchdown passes to Dino Tomlin in a 43-14 Indians win over Valley.

• Deer Lakes coach Tim Burk notched his first victory as the Lancers downed Uniontown, 47-14. Aris Hasley threw for 341 yards and four TDs.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Shady Side Academy, Springdale, Valley