Conference champ Woodland Hills holds off Kiski Area in regular-season finale

By: Bob Orkwis
Friday, October 25, 2024 | 10:36 PM

Heading into the regular-season finale, Kiski Area needed a win at the Wolvarena to solidify a chance at one of the three Class 5A wild-card spots in the WPIAL playoffs.

The Wolverines already had clinched the Big East Conference championship, but in addition to extending their winning streak to seven games, they were locked in on securing a top seed in the playoffs.

Woodland Hills, missing several players because of injury, put its defense on display in the first half, scoring the first points of the game on an interception and holding the Cavaliers offense in check for a 24-6 win.

“It’s been a great year obviously,” said second-year Woodland Hills coach Brain Tarrant. “The kids have given a great effort, but the injuries are starting to mount up.”

Late in the first quarter, and backed up in his own territory, senior Carson Heinle’s third-down pass was intercepted by Woodland Hills sophomore Jayden Jones, who returned the pick-6 14 yards for the game’s first touchdown.

“We have just been working our tails off and trying to stay healthy to win some football games and win this championship,” Tarrant said.

Then, after a long drive, Woodland Hills freshman Carter Akins scored on a third-and-1 with 10 seconds left before halftime to put the Wolverines up 14-0.

Already missing Cam Walter, the Wolverines turned to the freshman as the third option under center, and he threw for 67 yards and ran for 16 yards and the score.

“We were already down one quarterback,” Tarrant said. “Then another goes down and we have to play the freshman, so we really don’t have anything to hide. But Carter always steps up and contributes, but we’ve tried to protect him as a freshman.”

Elijah Nesby, who carried the ball 17 times for 119 yards, made it 21-0 Woodland Hills late in the third quarter.

The Cavaliers broke the shutout early in the fourth quarter when Heinle hit freshman Landyn Artman for a 33-yard touchdown. It was the first touchdown of the season for Artman.

Jacob Mroz added a 34-yard field late for Woodland Hills to make the final score 24-6.

The loss for Kiski Area (4-6, 2-4) snaps a three-game winning streak and dims the Cavaliers’ wild-card hopes.

Kiski Area will graduate 10 seniors from this years team, with Heinle and running back Landon Kucic leaving with impressive all-time numbers.

Heinle completed 11 of 17 passes for 172 yards, giving him 4,117 career yards, most all time at Kiski Area.

He is also the all-time leader in touchdown passes, attempts, completions.

Kucic rushed for 53-yards, giving him 1,839 in his career and moving him into third place in Cavaliers history.

Woodland Hills improved to (8-2, 6-0), and the Wolverines most likely are looking at a top seed and a bye in the playoffs.

As for his message to his team heading onto the playoffs, Tarrant was very direct.

“The message is always the same: Don’t blink and keep playing.”

The WPIAL will unveil the football brackets tomorrow afternoon.

Tags: Kiski Area, Woodland Hills