Week 4’s don’t-miss high school football matchups in A-K Valley

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 | 7:54 PM

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Class 5A Allegheny Nine CONFERENCE

4-5A Upper St. Clair (3-1, 3-0) at Fox Chapel (1-3, 1-2)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Upper St. Clair remained undefeated in WPIAL play with a 42-12 win over Baldwin. Fox Chapel suffered a 37-21 loss to North Hills in Allegheny Nine action.

The buzz: The Foxes are hoping to take down the ranked Panthers and bounce back after miscues cost them against the Indians.

Key players: USC quarterback Jack Hansberry has thrown for 583 yards and five touchdowns against only one interception. He had 182 yards passing and two TDs against Baldwin. Foxes quarterback Nick Gizzo only threw seven passes against North Hills, but he completed six for 107 yards. He scored both TDs on short runs.

About the Panthers: Upper St. Clair's offense has averaged 31.6 points against three conference foes since recording only seven in a season-opening loss to Steubenville, Ohio. The Panthers won last year's matchup 35-0.

About the Foxes: Fox Chapel is hoping to secure the football better this week after fumbling six times and squashing scoring opportunities in the loss to North Hills.

Class 5A Big East 9 CONFERENCE

Kiski Area (0-4, 0-3) at Connellsville (1-3, 0-3)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Kiski Area suffered a 37-21 loss at home to Latrobe, while Connellsville found tough sledding against McKeesport in a 60-7 loss.

The buzz: Something has to give as both teams hope to get in the win column in Big East 9 play. The Cavaliers defeated the Falcons, 43-14, in Week 4 last year for their final win of the season.

Key players: Kiski Area's Ross Greece was a bright spot against Latrobe with 83 yards and a touchdown on 19 rushes. He added an 88-yard kickoff return for a score. Bodee Stonebraker (rushing) and Jared Ozias (receiving) are ones to watch in the Connellsville offense. Ozias has a team-best three touchdowns.

About the Cavaliers: Kiski Area hopes to do better this week in finishing drives. The Cavaliers were stopped inside the Latrobe 10 three times last week. Kiski turned the ball over six times. Quarterbacks Ryne Wallace (259 yards) and Bryson Venanzio (215 yards) have commanded the offense.

About the Falcons: After a 46-33 victory over Uniontown in a Week Zero contest, the Falcons offense struggled against conference powers Penn-Trafford, Gateway and McKeesport with only one touchdown in each of those games. The defense surrendered an average of 52.6 points in those matchups.

Class 5A Big East 9 CONFERENCE

5-5A McKeesport (2-1, 2-1) at Plum (2-2, 2-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: McKeesport routed Connellsville, 60-7, while Plum surprised Franklin Regional, 33-7.

The buzz: The winner helps itself in the race for a WPIAL playoff spot. The teams sit in a three-way tie for third place with Franklin Regional behind Gateway (3-0) and Penn-Trafford (2-0).

Key players: McKeesport's Layton Jordan and John Harper each scored two touchdowns in the first quarter as the run-first Tigers took control against the Falcons. Plum tailback Coulter Robb broke out in a big way against Franklin Regional with 116 yards on 17 carries. He had 82 of his 116 in the second half.

About the Tigers: The Tigers defense has surrendered an average of nine points in its three games, second in the conference behind Penn-Trafford (3.8).

About the Mustangs: Plum's offense erupted last week after only scoring nine points on three field goals in its first three games. The Mustangs had 212 yards on the ground against FR after totaling 231 rushing yards coming into the game. Dakota Sunday had a great Friday as he tallied three short TD runs and caught another.

Class 4A Northwest Nine CONFERENCE

Highlands (2-1, 2-1) at 4-4A Mars (3-1, 2-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Highlands topped rival Knoch, 24-16, while Mars upended Montour, 26-15, and moved into the Tribune-Review Class 4A rankings.

The buzz: Both teams hope to keep up momentum after key victories in Week 3. Mars and Highlands are in a logjam for second in the Northwest Nine with Montour and New Castle at 2-1. South Fayette is one-half game ahead at 2-0.

Key players: Highlands wideout Logan Crise came up big against Knoch with seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. Mars senior Anthony Greico recovered two fumbles to key a defensive effort that forced five Montour turnovers.

About the Golden Rams: A week after scoring 47 points against New Castle, Highlands turned on its defense against Knoch. When it came to crunch time, the Golden Rams shut out the Knights in the second half and forced three turnovers.

About the Planets: Mars' top rusher, Garrett Reinke, was sidelined with an ankle injury in the first half against Montour. Coach Scott Heinauer said Reinke should be able to play this week. Teddy Ruffner finished with 82 yards rushing and a touchdown on 18 carries.

Class 3A Allegheny CONFERENCE

Burrell (1-3, 0-2) at Apollo-Ridge (3-1, 1-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Burrell fell to Seton LaSalle, 35-19, and Apollo-Ridge suffered its first defeat of the season, 38-14 at Shady Side Academy.

The buzz: The Bucs hope to right the ship after a three-game losing streak, while the Vikings will try to add to their conference rival's woes and bounce back from the loss to Shady Side.

Key players: Logan Bitar continues to be a workhorse for Burrell as he tallied 154 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries against Seton LaSalle. Two-way lineman and three-year starter Joe Sodowsky (6-4, 280) hopes to continue to be a force in the trenches for Apollo-Ridge.

About the Bucs: Burrell trailed Seton LaSalle by only two points in the fourth quarter Friday before the Rebels pulled away. Quarterback Seth Tatrn used his feet to gain 69 yards on six carries and score on a 26-yard scamper.

About the Vikings: Apollo-Ridge averaged 31.6 points over its first three games before being limited to 14 by Shady Side Academy. The Vikings hope to better limit Bitar and the Bucs running attack after surrendering 196 yards and three scores by SSA standout Skyy Moore.

Class 3A Allegheny CONFERENCE

Valley (0-3, 0-2) at Deer Lakes (0-3, 0-2)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Valley suffered a 40-14 loss to Class AA No. 1 Steel Valley, and Deer Lakes was shut out 35-0 at Keystone Oaks.

The buzz: Someone will pick up their first win of the season as the Allegheny Conference rivals meet at Lancers Stadium.

Key players: Valley quarterback Tyler Green threw his third touchdown this season of at least 59 yards last week as he connected with Deonte Ross on an 80-yard scoring strike. Deer Lakes' Aris Hasley completed 14 of 31 passes for 147 yards and four interceptions last week.

About the Vikings: The Vikings gave up a combined 10 points in the first halves against Keystone Oaks and Seton LaSalle and were in a position to win in the second half. But they put themselves in a hole last week by falling behind 27-0 by halftime against the Ironmen.

About the Lancers: Deer Lakes is 0-3 for the first time since 2014. But the Lancers hope history repeats itself as they won their fourth game that season, 35-20 against Burrell.

ClasS A Eastern CONFERENCE

Leechburg (0-4, 0-3) at Springdale (1-3, 0-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Leechburg lost to Bishop Canevin, 28-7, and Springdale fell to Beth-Center, 53-22.

The buzz: The Blue Devils hope to taste victory for the first time this season, while the Dynamos will try to add a second win to a nonconference triumph over Jefferson-Morgan in Week 1.

Key players: Leechburg quarterback Bret Kardos hopes to jump-start the offense this week. He scored on a 4-yard run last week against Bishop Canevin. Springdale signal-caller Josh Jones threw for 144 yards and a touchdown and added a rushing TD against Beth-Center.

About the Blue Devils: Jake Blumer continues to carry the load for the Leechburg offense. Last week, he ran the ball 19 times and gained 72 yards. He had six runs for 38 yards on a fourth-quarter scoring drive.

About the Dynamos: Springdale has won the last two in the series. The Dynamos scored 57 points in last year's game and shut out the Blue Devils in 2015. But Leechburg topped Springdale, 19-13, in 2014.

Class A EAstern CONFERENCE

Riverview (1-2, 1-2) at Bishop Canevin (1-2, 1-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Dormont Stadium

Last week: Riverview couldn't find the end zone in a 43-0 loss to Jeannette. Bishop Canevin picked up its first win of the season, 28-7 over Leechburg.

The buzz: The winner will help its cause in its quest for a WPIAL playoff spot in Class A.

Key players: Riverview senior Luke Coxon was a bright spot against Jeannette as he tallied 74 yards on 16 carries. Zach Trusky was a do-it-all running back for Bishop Canevin last week as he ran for 171 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries against Leechburg.

About the Raiders: Low numbers have hampered Riverview from the start of the season, but injuries, including one to running back Nick Palmierie on the opening kickoff last week, reduced the number of dressed and available players to 17 against Jeannette.

About the Crusaders: Bishop Canevin's run game got untracked against Leechburg. Led by Trusky's 171 yards, the Crusaders racked up 303 on the ground.

Class 5ABig East Conference

Armstrong (2-2, 0-2) at Franklin Regional (2-1, 2-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Gateway defeated Armstrong, 54-13. Plum upset Franklin Regional, 33-7.

The buzz: Armstrong played last week without starting quarterback Dawson Porter, who has thrown for 355 yards and rushed for a team-high 431 yards. Franklin Regional tries to rebound following a tough loss at rival Plum.

Key players: Armstrong senior tackle Nate Baillie has lined up at quarterback in short-yardage situations, and the 6-foot-2, 270-pounder has scored three touchdowns on six attempts. Franklin Regional junior quarterback Adam Rudzinski is 36 for 70 for 506 yards and five touchdowns.

About the River Hawks: Without Porter at quarterback, Armstrong's offense struggled mightily against Gateway last week.

About the Panthers: Franklin Regional turned the ball over three times in scoring position at Plum last week. Rudzinski was intercepted twice. The Panthers don't have a runner who has gained more the 100 yards this season.

Class 5ABig East Conference

2-5A Penn-Trafford (4-0, 2-0) at Latrobe (2-2, 1-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Penn-Trafford stayed perfect with a 34-8 win at Woodland Hills. Latrobe moved to .500 with a 37-21 win over Kiski Area.

The buzz: Penn-Trafford has been a force on defense, allowing just 15 points. It faces an improved Latrobe team that has won back-to-back games for the first time in six seasons.

Key players: Penn-Trafford's John Gay IV, a third-generation running back, leads the Warriors rushing attack. He ran for 166 yards and two TDs last week. Zakharee Williams has become a pass-catching threat for Latrobe.

About the Warriors: Watch sophomore Cam Lisbon, who is becoming an impact player on both sides of the ball.

About the Wildcats: While the Wildcats look to keep a hot streak going, they have not won three in a row since 2005.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Bishop Canevin, Burrell, Connellsville, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Highlands, Kiski School, Leechburg, Mars, McKeesport, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Upper St. Clair, Valley