WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week One 2013

By: Bruce Markey
Tuesday, September 3, 2013 | 2:25 PM

After an exciting Week One of WPIAL football, one of the prominent storylines was big defensive plays at crucial moments. In fact, three of the top five plays of Week One were done on the defensive side of the ball. The top play, however, belongs to a surprising backup running back for one of Class A’s top teams.

Here are the top plays from Week One:

#1- North Catholic 22, Apollo-Ridge 21 (2OT)

In a Week One, double-overtime thriller, #3 North Catholic Coach Bob Ravenstahl elected to roll the dice without his best player on the field. The result was an important 22-21 win over #7 Apollo-Ridge (0-1, 0-1). After losing star Running Back P.J. Fulmore to injury, Junior Jerome Turner took over in the backfield, rushing for 93 yards and a second-overtime touchdown, cutting the Apollo-Ridge lead to 21-20. But Turner wasn’t done, as Ravenstahl decided to go for the win. Turner took the ball off the left side and bullied his way into the end zone for the winning two-point conversion, giving North Catholic (1-0, 1-0) the 22-21 victory in a matchup of the projected top two teams in the Eastern Conference.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/apollo-ridge-boys-football-at-north-catholic-boys-football

Troy Clardy and Greg Kuntz of MSA Sports with the call.

#2- Montour 20, Hopewell 14

Down 14-0 at half, the #6 Montour Spartans (1-0, 1-0) needed to regroup and get their offense moving. They did just that, scoring 20 unanswered points en route to an important 20-14 win over the Hopewell Vikings (0-1, 0-1) on Friday night. The Spartans needed a big play late though, trailing 14-12. Montour Coach Lou Cerro would draw up a halfback option pass, as Running Back Cole Macek would take a pitch and throw a 42-yard strike to Donald Payne to give the Spartans a 18-12 lead with 2:13 remaining. Montour would add a two-point conversion and hold on to secure a Parkway Conference win in Week 1.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/montour-boys-football-at-hopewell-boys-football

Bob Barrickman and Kerry Lacey of WMBA-AM 1460 with the call.

#3- Franklin Regional 20, Mars 13

#10 Franklin Regional’s Colin Jonov is a known for his prowess at making fine catches in the outfield for the Panthers’ baseball team. But on Friday night at Mars, Jonov stole a little more than an out from the #5 Planets (0-1, 0-1). Jonov finished with three interceptions, including one of Mars’ final drive of the game, solidifying a gigantic Week 1 win for the Panthers (1-0, 1-0) in the Greater Allegheny Conference. Of the three picks though, none was better than his Pick-6 of Mars Quarterback Owen Nearhoof with 1:26 left in the first half, giving Franklin Regional a 14-6 halftime edge.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/franklin-regional-boys-football-at-mars-boys-football

Sam Hall and Steve Nagler of MSA Sports with the call.

#4- USC 16, Woodland Hills 10

In quite possibly the biggest game of Week 1, #5 Upper St. Clair (1-0, 1-0) went into the Wolvarena and knocked off #1 Woodland Hills, 16-10. Linebacker Mac Pope inspired the Panthers defensively. Pope, in addition to rushing for a touchdown, also recovered the game-clinching fumble with 23 seconds remaining. Woodland Hills (0-1, 0-1) would drive to the Panthers’ 49 yard-line late in regulation, but a shotgun snap on 1st and 10 would go through the legs of Quarterback Harry Randall. Pope would pounce on the football, clinching the win for Upper St. Clair. 

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/upper-st-clair-boys-football-at-woodland-hills-boys-football

Lanny Frattare and Bob Orkwis of MSA Sports with the call.

#5- Gateway 22, Latrobe 20

#4 Gateway (1-0, 1-0) had to overcome a 13-7 halftime deficit, but rallied to beat unranked Latrobe (0-1, 0-1) in a surprising opening week contest. Gateway, who has four Division-1 recruits in their secondary, was unable to handle the legs of Latrobe Quarterback Logan Carns, who rushed for 136 yards and 3 TD. But despite Carns’ accomplishments on the ground, it was his arm that ultimately failed the Wildcats’ efforts. Devin Pinkett would intercept a Carns pass with 43 seconds remaining in the game, clinching the victory for the Gators, who fought cramping issues all night. The win is the first for new Gateway coach Don Militzer, who replaced Terry Smith this offseason.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/gateway-boys-football-at-latrobe-boys-football

Dow Carnahan and Mike Porembka of 1480 WCNS-AM with the call.