WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Five 2014

We interrupt Buctober to bring you another edition of WPIAL Plays of the Week. Boy, were there some great, close contests throughout week five. It’s amazing to think that we’ve passed the midway point and soon will hop on the Highway to Heinz. We appreciate your attention and, once you check out some of the top moments from Friday night, you may return to your scheduled Blackout (of PNC Park).

1. Highlands 28, Apollo-Ridge 27

In one of the wildest finishes of the 2014 WPIAL football season, Apollo-Ridge’s rally would fall just short, as Highlands would pull off an improbably late victory to take sole possession of fist place in AA’s Allegheny Conference. After blowing a 21-0 lead by allowing Apollo-Ridge to score 27-straight points, Highlands would get one last chance with the football and make it count. Quarterback Brayden Thimons would lead the Golden Rams on a 42-yard drive, going 3-for-3 for 46 yards and capping it all off with a five-yard touchdown strike to Jordan Lineburg with 17 seconds remaining. Most impressively, Thimons entered the final drive having completed just one of his eight attempts. But Thimons rallied, leading his team to the win.

MSA Sports’ Josh Rowntree and Brandon Showers on the call.

2. West Allegheny 21, Montour 14

After losing star Running Back Chayse Dillon early to an injury, defending AAA Champion West Allegheny was in need of a big play. And they got it from Dillon’s backup, Terence Stephens. With 33 seconds left in regulation, Stephens would cap off a 56-yard drive with a 13-yard run up the middle, breaking a 14-14 tie and leading the Indians to a tough Parkway Conference victory over rival Montour. The win was the 25^th straight victory over WPIAL competition for Bob Palko and his West Allegheny Indians.

MSA Sports’ Sam Hall and Steve Nagler on the call.

3. Steel Valley 28, Quaker Valley 26

Unlike the first two top plays, Steel Valley received a tremendous defensive play late to grab a meaning AA Century Conference win on Friday night. Up 28-26, Steel Valley would turn the football over on a fumble and, after Quaker Valley advanced the ball inside of the Ironmen’s 10 yard line, Steel Valley would get one of their biggest plays of the season on a pair of back-to-back sacks. The win lift the Ironmen to 4-1 on the season, while Quaker Valley, who has been without Pitt recruit Dane Jackson, is now 3-2.

MSA Sports’ Matt Vandriak and Sean Meyers on the call.

4. Seneca Valley 29, Butler 22

Late in regulation, Seneca Valley was in need of a big play from their top player. Their top player, mind you, had been injured since week one. But T.J. Holl returned and was able to lead the Raiders to their first victory of the season, 29-22. With 2:47 remaining, Holl would find Cody Boozel pen in the end zone for a two-yard touchdown pass, breaking a 22-22 tie and leading the Raiders to the win. This came moment after Holl made an improbable play to stay upright on a scramble and pitch the ball to running back Mason Dehart.

WBUT-AM 1050’s Ron Willison and Dr. Craig Lucas on the call. 

More Uncategorized