Westmoreland high school football notebook: Smithnosky shines in hometown … for visitors

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, August 30, 2025 | 4:53 PM

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Bobby Smithnosky had a homecoming game on the road but still earned his flowers.

The sophomore quarterback from Greensburg Central Catholic had a career game at Mt. Pleasant, showing out in front of friends and family in his hometown.

Class A GCC rolled to a 40-7 victory over the Class 3A Vikings.

“I know I have a lot of friends and Mt. Pleasant is ‘home,’ but GCC is my place and that team is my family,” Smithnosky said. “I would go to war for any one of those kids.”

The first-year quarterback completed 14 of 22 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns, two to Samir Crosby and another to Luke Semelka.

“It felt great to win, and I could not have done it without my coaches, my O-line and my receivers,” Smithnosky said. “It was a great win as a team.”

Smithnosky competed in camp with Crosby for the starting quarterback job, and his play showed he has earned his stripes.

“Bobby definitely stepped up a ton from the from the last game … first time truly at quarterback,” Crosby said. “He definitely stepped up today. And definitely a big part, knowing that he’s from Mt. Pleasant, playing against his boys. He definitely had a crazy game. And I’m proud of him. “

GCC coach John Thompson said Smithnosky took “a large step.”

Running back Blase Bugosh, who also is from Mt. Pleasant, added a rushing touchdown for the Centurions.

2-0 teams

Hempfield, Penn-Trafford, Yough, Southmoreland and Monessen share more than spots on the Westmoreland County map. All five are 2-0 heading into the third week of the season.

Power ball 

Hempfield went to a ground-and-pound attack in the second half to put away Franklin Regional in a 31-14 win.

The Spartans, who blew an early 14-0 lead, ran the ball with authority to regain the lead, controlling the line of scrimmage and winding the clock.

“We wanted to run more power,” lineman Brock Heisler said. “We knew we could run on them. We didn’t get down on ourselves when they came back.”

The Spartans stacked the line, using five linemen at times, including three tight ends.

Aidan Stinebiser ran for more than 100 yards for the second straight game.

“These guys are so close, and they believe in one another,” Spartans coach Nick Keefer said. “These kids don’t flinch.”

Triple treat 

Based on Week Zero results, Latrobe was considered a heavy underdog against Plum.

The Wildcats lost to Connellsville, and Plum blew out Franklin Regional.

But the Wildcats pulled a stunner Friday, downing the host Mustangs, 42-35, in three overtimes.

It was win No. 1 for first-year coach Tom McIntyre.

“For it to happen that way, in three OTs, I’ll certainly never forget that one,” McIntyre said. “It’s so fun to coach these kids. They just fight and claw and never give in.”

Sophomore running back AJ Yeboah scored two touchdowns in overtime.

“To think how many young kids took part in that win and how mature they handled themselves and stayed composed,” McIntyre said. “I’m so proud of every one of them. And our older kids have stepped up and shown great leadership. There’s not a kid on our roster who didn’t play a role in that one.”

Vikings injured 

Mt. Pleasant’s backfield was hit hard by injuries.

Feature back Stev Predajna did not play Friday because of a lower body injury. His replacement, Mason Eicher, was injured on the first play of the game.

A third back, Tristan Tworkiewicz, taken off the field on stretcher following a blindside hit.

Week 2 

Top local games next week include Laurel Highlands (2-0) at Southmoreland (2-0), Norwin (1-1) at Latrobe (1-1), Penn-Trafford (2-0) at Moon (2-0) and Kiski Area (1-1) at Hempfield (2-0).

Extra points 

Norwin snapped a nine-game losing streak. … Southmoreland scored 36 points in the second quarter of Friday’s 49-7 win over East Allegheny. The Scotties have outscored two opponents 89-7. … Penn-Trafford first-year starting quarterback Nate Desmond threw for a career-high 222 yards and two touchdowns, both to Nick Ponko, who caught eight for 151 yards. … Five Westmoreland teams scored 40 or more points in Week 1: Southmoreland (49), Yough (42), Norwin (42), Latrobe (42) and GCC (40).

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

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Hempfield, Latrobe, Mt. Pleasant, Penn-Trafford, Yough