Week 8’s don’t-miss high school football matchups in the A-K Valley

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 | 9:06 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

Class 5A Allegheny Nine Conference

Fox Chapel (4-4, 4-3) at Chartiers Valley (1-7, 1-5)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Fox Chapel topped Baldwin, 19-13. Chartiers Valley fell to North Hills, 52-14.

The buzz: The Foxes hope to avoid a letdown against the struggling Colts as they aim to wrap up a WPIAL playoff spot.

Key players: Nick Gizzo and Micah Morris continues to be a 1-2 rushing punch. They combined for 327 of the team's 372 yards on the ground against Baldwin. Reed Bruggeman threw for 110 yards and two touchdowns for Chartiers Valley in its loss to the Indians last Friday.

About the Foxes: It's pretty simple; a win by Fox Chapel over Chartiers Valley will clinch a first trip to the WPIAL playoffs since 2014. The Foxes hope to cut down on penalties. They had 10 for 102 yards last week.

About the Colts: Chartiers Valley started out 0-6 before a 32-13 win over Moon on Oct. 6. The Colts have given up 37.5 points a game, second worst in Class 5A, trailing only to Connellsville (45.4).

Class 5A Big East Conference

Kiski Area (1-7, 1-5) at 1-5A Penn-Trafford (8-0, 6-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Kiski Area lost to Gateway, 61-21. Penn-Trafford rolled past Armstrong, 49-3.

The buzz: Penn-Trafford looks to keep its record unblemished as it searches for its second undefeated regular season in three years. The Warriors went 9-0 two years ago en route to a spot in the WPIAL Class 4A championship game.

Key players: Kiski Area junior linebacker Drew Dinunzio-Biss is a run-stopper but last week returned an interception 90 yards for a score. The three-pronged rushing attack of John Gay IV, Caleb Lisbon and Cam Laffoon has made Penn-Trafford a difficult team to defend.

About the Cavaliers: An unsteady defense allowed Gateway quarterback Brady Walker to throw for 456 yards and six touchdowns last week.

About the Warriors: The defense has allowed just 47 points, including just three at Warriors Stadium this season.

Class 5ABig East Conference

Plum (3-5, 3-4) at Latrobe (2-6, 1-5)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Plum defeated Connellsville, 48-12. Latrobe gave Franklin Regional all it could handle in a 23-20 loss.

The buzz: After close calls the past two weeks — including a 38-37 loss to Armstrong in double overtime — Latrobe is primed to break through at home.

Key players: Colt Robb ran for 96 yards and a touchdown and also scored one of Plum's two pick-6 touchdowns last week. Latrobe quarterback Jason Armstrong continues to put up passing numbers. He threw for 239 yards against Franklin Regional and ran for two scores.

About the Mustangs: They are 2-3 since losing standout Corey Thomas to a leg injury in Week 2.

About the Wildcats: While the offense has shown efficiency, the defense has been problematic at times, allowing drive-extending plays.

Class 4A Northwest Nine Conference

Highlands (4-3, 3-3) at 1-4A South Fayette (8-0, 6-0)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Highlands defeated Blackhawk, 49-12. South Fayette had no trouble with Indiana, 62-14.

The buzz: The Golden Rams hope to pull the upset and stay alive for a WPIAL Class 4A playoff spot. A loss eliminates them from contention.

Key players: Seth Cohen only completed six passes against Blackhawk, but they totaled 303 yards, and five of them were for touchdowns. South Fayette quarterback Drew Saxon threw for 114 yards and four touchdowns — in the first 12 minutes — of last week's rout of Indiana.

About the Golden Rams: Highlands must defeat South Fayette on Friday and Montour next week and have Mars (4-2) lose to Indiana and Knoch in its final two games to earn the fourth playoff spot from the Northwest Nine.

About South Fayette: The Lions are riding a 55-game regular-season winning streak. Its last loss before the WPIAL playoffs came at the hands of Seton LaSalle, 33-10, in Week 8 of the 2011 season.

Class 3A Allegheny Conference

Deer Lakes (1-6, 0-5) at Shady Side Academy (5-2, 4-2)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Deer Lakes won its first game of the season 33-0 at Laurel. Shady Side Academy defeated Avonworth, 37-28, in nonconference play.

Key players: Deer Lakes' Jared Colton recorded an interception and caught a TD pass, both in the fourth quarter, as the Lancers put the finishing touches on a dominant victory over Laurel. Dino Tomlin, the son of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, had 113 receiving yards and two touchdowns in last week's win over Avonworth.

About the Lancers: Deer Lakes got the chance to feel what it's like to pitch a shutout after being on the other side of it three times this season. The Lancers had only 48 points in six games before rolling against the Spartans.

About the Indians: Quarterback Skyy Moore accounted for 357 total yards (199 rushing, 158 passing) and five touchdowns against Avonworth. Shady Side still is alive for one of the eight WPIAL Class 3A playoff spots. Four of the eight spots have been clinched.

Class 3A Allegheny Conference

Valley (2-5, 2-3) at Apollo-Ridge (4-4, 2-4)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Valley picked up its second win of the season, 18-13, over Burrell. Apollo-Ridge suffered a 35-13 loss at Keystone Oaks.

The buzz: Valley hopes to win two in a row for the first time this season, while Apollo-Ridge hopes to get back in the win column after setbacks to the top three teams in the conference.

Key players: Valley's Vaun Ross and Noah Hutcherson tallied TD runs of 50 and 2 yards, respectively, in the third quarter against Burrell to make the difference in a close conference victory. Apollo-Ridge freshman Logan Harmon, who has been battling back from injury, tallied 70 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against Keystone Oaks.

About the Valley Vikings: Valley's win over Burrell was the fifth consecutive over its neighboring rival. The Vikings hold a 24-14 advantage in the all-time series.

About the Apollo-Ridge Vikings: Apollo-Ridge saw its hopes for a WPIAL playoff spot end with the loss to Keystone Oaks. Jacob Fello completed 8 of 14 passes for 90 yards and added a 26-yard TD run against the Golden Eagles.

Class A EASTERN CONFERENCE

3-A Imani Christian (6-2, 4-1) at Springdale (4-4, 3-2)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Imani Christian topped Frazier, 20-12. Springdale held off Bishop Canevin, 37-27.

The buzz: Playoff implications loom large for the Dynamos as they face the No. 3-ranked Saints.

Key players: Springdale's Scott Landis and Dylan Hargenrader combined for 205 rushing yards and each scored one touchdown in the key win over Bishop Canevin. Imani's Tawan Wesley is third in the WPIAL in passing with 1,785 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has thrown 10 interceptions.

About the Saints: Imani has won three in a row after a two-game losing streak (Jeannette, California). Despite scoring 18 points three weeks ago and 20 last week, the Saints still are third in Class A at 41 points per game.

About the Dynamos: Springdale is fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 3-2 record. The top five teams from the conference are guaranteed playoff spots. Greensburg Central Catholic and Bishop Canevin each have two conference wins heading into Week 8.

Class A Eastern Conference

Riverview (2-5, 1-5) at 5-A Clairton (5-2, 4-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Riverview stepped away from conference action and defeated Avella, 43-0. Clairton snapped a two-game losing skid with a 40-7 win over Leechburg.

The buzz: Despite only having one conference victory, Riverview still is alive for a Class A playoff spot. The Raiders hope to stay in the hunt with an upset of the Bears.

Key players: Riverview's Ben Blacksmith took the reins at quarterback for the first time this season against Avella and completed 7 of 13 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. Bears quarterback Brendan Parsons was an efficient 9 of 13 for 138 yards and three touchdowns against Leechburg.

About the Raiders: Riverview's defense stood tall against the Eagles, holding them to 87 yards and forcing four turnovers. Both of the Raiders' wins this year have come by shutout. They beat Leechburg, 16-0, in Week 1.

About the Bears: Clairton got back on track offensively after scoring only six combined points in losses to Imani Christian and Aliquippa. Tre'sean Howard hauled in two passes for touchdowns and returned a punt for a score against Leechburg.

NONCONFERENCE

5-2A East Allegheny (5-2, 4-1) at Burrell (1-7, 0-6)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: East Allegheny fell to Class AA No. 1 Steel Valley, 34-13. Burrell dropped an 18-13 Allegheny Conference contest to rival Valley.

The buzz: Burrell will celebrate senior night with the hopes of pulling off the upset against the No. 5-ranked Wildcats.

Key players: Junior Alex Bellinotti led the receiving corps for Burrell against Valley with five catches for 98 yards. Tight end T.J. Banks, at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds and on the radar of several FBS schools, is an offensive force for East Allegheny.

About the Wildcats: Quarterback Tamaine Underwood completed 14 of 32 passes for 206 yards against Steel Valley. The loss to Steel Valley last Friday snapped a five-game winning streak.

About the Bucs: Burrell has lost three games this season by seven points or fewer. The Bucs also held a 12-point halftime lead against Apollo-Ridge before falling by nine. Seth Tatrn's TD run against Valley on Friday gave him five rushing scores to go along five passing touchdowns this season.

NONCONFERENCE

Leechburg (0-8, 0-6) at Brownsville (1-7, 1-5)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Leechburg suffered a 40-7 loss to Clairton. Brownsville was shut out by Beth-Center, 47-0.

The buzz: A losing skid will come to an end this week. The Blue Devils will win their first of the season or the Falcons will put a halt on a four-game winless streak.

Key players: Dylan Cook's four touchdowns — two rushing and two passing — lead the Leechburg offense. Brownsville quarterback Lucas Harn has a team-best four touchdowns — two on the ground and two throwing.

About the Falcons: Brownsville has given up 182 points over its last four games for a 45.5 average since its lone win, a 14-7 triumph over Chartiers-Houston on Sept. 15.

About the Blue Devils: Leechburg's only victory last year was a 35-34 home victory over Brownsville. Mike Herbinko, a longtime team manager who is unable to play football because of a heart condition, got a chance to carry the ball against Clairton. His one carry went for an emotional 50-yard touchdown.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Brownsville, Burrell, Chartiers Valley, Clairton, Deer Lakes, East Allegheny, Fox Chapel, Highlands, Imani Christian, Kiski School, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Shady Side Academy, South Fayette, Springdale, Valley