Western Pa. high school roundup: Aliquippa off to fast start after shutting out New Castle

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 11:09 PM

The top-ranked team in WPIAL Class 3A flexed its muscles on opening night Friday, as Aliquippa shut out Class 4A's New Castle, 24-0, in a Week Zero nonconference game at the Pit.

Avante McKenzie ran for 126 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown, and Kiyon Fooks and Ceoveon Crute also scored for the Quips (1-0).

Tariq Jones added a safety. New Castle was a WPIAL finalist last season.

Apollo Ridge 34, Leechburg 7 — Kyle Fitzroy threw for 204 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing score to lift the Vikings (1-0) to a nonconference victory. Klay Fitzroy hauled in five passes for 110 yards and a touchdown, Jake Fello and Bradley Milko added TD receptions, and Ryan Bias tallied a 53-yard scoring run for the Vikings. Bret Kardos threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Sean Mason for Leechburg's (0-1) lone score.

Armstrong 41, Karns City 14 — In a nonconference game, Dawson Porter had two touchdown passes, two rushing touchdowns, a punt return for a score and an interception return for a touchdown to lead Armstrong (1-0) to victory.

Beaver 69, New Brighton 21 — Beaver's defense forced eight turnovers and held New Brighton (0-1) to four first downs on way to a nonconference victory. On offense, Beaver (1-0) gained 453 yards, including 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns from TeVonn Williams.

Canon-McMillan 17, Kiski Area 10 — Jack Quinque connected with Andrew Engel on a 14-yard touchdown pass in the final two minutes to seal a nonconference victory for Canon-McMillan (1-0). Cuyler Rancher intercepted a pass in the final moments and also had an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first quarter. Ross Greece scored on a 2-yard run for Kiski Area (0-1).

Cathedral Prep 40, Central Catholic 7 — Joseph Mischler threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns to lead Cathedral Prep (1-0) to a nonconference win over Central Catholic (0-1). Tyler Oedekoven caught three passes for 131 yards and a touchdown for Erie Cathedral Prep, which led 26-0 at halftime. Troy Fisher threw for 133 yards and a touchdown to pace the Vikings.

Connellsville 46, Uniontown 33 — In nonconference play, Jared Ozias caught three scoring passes as Connellsville (1-0) beat Uniontown (0-1). Lucas White added touchdowns on a 36-yard fumble return and an 18-yard run for the Falcons. Omar Teets threw for 161 yards and three touchdowns and ran 13 yards for another score in the loss.

Freedom 7, Hopewell 3 — Zach Rosa's 18-yard touchdown pass to Jason Norman in the fourth quarter lifted Freedom (1-0) to a nonconference victory against Hopewell. Rosa threw for 106 yards. Hopewell took the lead in the third quarter on a 26-yard field goal by Samantha Hysong.

Gateway 35, Woodland Hills 23 — In nonconference play, Isaiah Cameron ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 26-yard pass from Brady Walker for another score in Gateway's win against Woodland Hills (0-1). Walker threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns and teammate Courtney Jackson added five receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown and scored another TD on a 95-yard run.

Jefferson-Morgan 7, Chartiers-Houston 6 — Despite Matt Whitfield's 124 rushing yards, Chartiers-Houston (0-1) was edged out by Jefferson-Morgan (1-0) in nonconference play. Whitfield scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter but the conversion failed. Jake Broadwater hit Dennis Garrett with a 35-yard scoring pass — followed by a successful point after — in the second quarter for Jefferson-Morgan and the Rockets' defense held on the rest of the way in the win.

Moon 34, Ambridge 6 — Cole Konieczka threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 34 yards and another TD as Moon (1-0) downed Ambridge (0-1) in nonconference play. Nick Sebastian caught three passes for 78 yards and a 39-yard touchdown.

Neshannock 28, Farrell 26 — Neshannock (1-0) ran 70 plays for nearly 400 yards of offense in its narrow victory against nonconference opponent Farrell (0-1). Jared Staph ran for 93 yards and a touchdown and teammate DJ DeBlasio added 89 rushing yards and another TD for Neshannock. Brandon Chamber ran for 132 yards and an 83-yard touchdown for Farrell.

North Hills 45, Shaler 17 — North Hills running back Melvin Blanks scored three times and piled up 172 rushing yards to help the Indians (1-0) beat Shaler for the sixth straight time in a nonconference game at Titans Stadium.

Blanks devastated Shaler right before halftime with a 98-yard kickoff return to put North Hills ahead 24-3. The Titans had just cut the lead to 17-3 seconds earlier. Kamron Taylor also scored twice for North Hills, while Brian Colarusso had 120 yards receiving and two touchdowns for Shaler (0-1).

Quaker Valley 55, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 21 — Ricky Guss threw for 167 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 132 yards and three more scores as Quaker Valley (1-0) won big over Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic (0-1) in a nonconference game. Isaiah McNair caught five passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Zack Rocco threw for 180 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another TD to pace the Trojans.

Serra Catholic 30, Mapletown 8 — Khalil Smith rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown as Serra Catholic (1-0) defeated Mapletown (0-1) in nonconference play. Serra outgained Mapletown, 286 yards to 124. Mapletown's lone touchdown came on Dylan Rush's 85-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.

South Fayette 20, Central Valley 0 — Bruce Faxton threw for 151 yards and a touchdown as Class 4A No. 2 South Fayette (1-0) blanked Class 3A No. 2 Central Valley (0-1). Brandon Coe booted field goals of 24 and 31 yards and hit both of his point-after attempts.

Steubenville 37, Upper St. Clair 7 — Javon Davis threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns to lead Steubenville (1-0) to the nonconference win over Upper St. Clair (0-1). Jack Hansberry threw a 57-yard scoring pass to Dom Cepullio in the second quarter for Upper St. Clair's only touchdown.