Westmoreland H.S. notebook: Local players featured on all-conference football teams

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, November 9, 2025 | 6:50 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Several local players were selected for the Big 5/6 Conference all-conference football teams.

Norwin had seven players chosen in Class 6A, including quarterback Tristyn Tavares, running back Giovanni Rothrauff, punter Evan Pfeifer, Josh Lenart (LB), and Jake Knight (DB).

Patrick Schmook (C), Michael DeFazio (LB) and Zack Pawling (DB) made the second team.

The Knights’ Mike Brown was tabbed coach of the year.

Also in 6A, Hempfield’s Brock Heisler (OL) and Jack Kopas (WR) made the first team, and Dom Detruf (QB) and Brayden Gerst (LB) were second-teamers.

In Class 5A, Penn-Trafford had five first-team selections out of the Big East Conference: Bryce Ruby (C), Travis Moorhead (G), Aiden Corbett (T), Ben Grabowski (RB), Jack Miller (PK), Jake Briggs (DE), Lucah Butler (LB), Landyn Stikkel (LB), Nick Ponko (DB) and Ty Boss (DB).

Warriors second-teamers were Dave Dziedzic (G), Nico Casciato (WR), Cody Yacamelli (RB) and Aiden Toth (DT).

Also from the Big East, Troy Slezak of Franklin Regional (DT) made the first team, and Jet Taylor (RB), Lochlan Bresnahan (DE), Tommy Verruggio (LB), Matt Moore (DB) and Dom Mascara (P) the second.

For Latrobe, Mitch Horner (P) was a first-teamer, while Brady Kronewelter (G), Gamin Owens (OT), Aaron Gaskey (TE), Dylan Miller (DT), Cash Achhammer (LB), Chris Cochran (LB), Danny Noonan (DB) and Sawyer Butina (DB) made the second team.

Early exit

With Norwin, Penn-Trafford and Jeannette all losing Friday night, football season is finished earlier than usual for local fans.

That makes two years in a row without a county team in the championships.

Last year ended a 10-year run of area teams reaching the finals. A team from Westmoreland had played for a championship every year since 2014.

Another streak, however, continued. With Norwin advancing in 6A, a Westmoreland team has made the WPIAL semifinals every year since 2010.

Streak breakers

The Norwin hockey team snapped an 18-game losing streak last week with a 4-3 victory over Cathedral Prep.

Cal Costantino had three goals and an assist, Brody Boban added a goal and four assists and Parker Toth scored two goals and added an assist for the Knights (1-4-0-1).

The Knights, whose last win came against Hempfield last January (6-5 in a shootout), finished 1-20-0-0 a season ago.

On the ice

Hempfield’s hockey team remained undefeated with a 3-1 victory over Armstrong.

Guerin Gardner, JJ Williams and Nick Crupie each had a goal, and Evan Saltzgiver made 39 saves.

The Spartans (5-0) were led by Gardner’s 12 points (seven goals, five assists), while Williams was next with 10 (six goals, four assists).

Penn-Trafford, meanwhile, was tied with Bishop Canevin and Hempfield for the most goals in PIHL Class 2A with 29.

The Warriors (5-1-0-0) were leading the classification in second-period goals with 14.

Penn-Trafford’s Brock Bieneman was tied for fourth in points with 10 (six goals, four assists).

Playing the field

The WPIAL announced its field hockey all-star lists for the fall season.

Local players selected in Class 2A include Ryanne Lehman (midfield), Addison Tinsley (D) and Julia Macey (MF) of Latrobe; and Caeley Simon (MF) of Penn-Trafford.

In Class 3A, Norwin had two picks: Mila Gregg (MF) and Sophia Laskowski (MF); and Hempfield’s Keelin Sullivan (GK) also was selected.

Greensburg native Kate Habershaw of The Ellis School made the Class A team.

Sign of the times

NCAA National Signing Day for Division I and II sports other than football will be Wednesday.

The day marks the early period for Division I basketball, with the regular signing day set for April 15. Early signing day for football is Dec. 3, and the regular day is Feb. 4.

Winter wonderland

Official practice for WPIAL winter teams in basketball, wrestling, swimming, gymnastics, rifle and competitive spirit begins Friday.

The first play date for most sports is Nov. 28.

This is the final year of the current two-year enrollment cycle, so the league will realign after the spring sports season ends in June.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Hempfield, Latrobe, Norwin, Penn-Trafford