WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Seven 2016

By: Bruce Markey
Tuesday, October 18, 2016 | 5:56 PM

With the “stretch run” officially under way for the 2016 regular season, every play in key games becomes magnified. Thus, the top plays this week not only were instrumental in the outcome of the particular games, but also likely will greatly affect the playoff landscape in the district. This week’s selection includes a winning score in the final minute that spanned more than 90 yards, a decisive field goal in the closing seconds, a long strike that added even more uncertainty to the Beaver Valley Conference, and a one-handed grab that broke open an important Allegheny Conference clash. Here are the best plays from this week’s slate.

1. Woodland Hills 31, Moon 27

The Wolverines were on the brink of becoming victims of a massive upset in 5A, but a miraculous comeback allowed Woodland Hills to spoil the Tigers bid. Woodland Hills trailed by 10 points in the fourth quarter, and the Wolverines needed a touchdown with approximately a minute left. Pinned deep in their own territory, the Wolverines got the big strike they needed, when Avram Abramovitz hauled in a short pass from QB Daniel Jones, and turned it into a long score, spanning 93 yards.

The Woodland Hills Sports Networks’ Adam Gusky and Fred Guy provide the commentary for the winning play for the Wolverines:

2. Blackhawk 25, Highlands 22

Blackhawk and Highlands have both played in a few tight contests this season, so it was only fitting that the matchup of the Cougars and Golden Rams came down to the final seconds. Both teams had previously engaged in four one-score contests, and Blackhawk and Highlands were tied for most of the fourth quarter. The Cougars engineered a late drive, though, and pulled within field goal range. With less than 10 seconds left, senior Myles Vujaklya booted the 24-yard kick, which sailed through the uprights to give Blackhawk the W.

MSA Sports’ Ed Troup and Johnny Lee detail the decisive kick that gave the Cougars a massive boost to their playoff hopes:

3. Beaver Falls 27, Central Valley 21

No conference this season has seen a power struggle atop the standings quite like the Class 3A Beaver Valley Conference. Aliquippa, Beaver and Central Valley all have spent time as the team to beat in the section, but now the Tigers might hold that distinction. Beaver Falls scored its biggest win of the season, courtesy of a crucial fourth-quarter strike. With just less than 10 minutes left, Tigers’ QB Austin French connected with Nate Stratton on a 42-yard score, which proved to be the decisive touchdown.

WBVP-AM 1230’s Tom Hays and Jason Colangelo have the call of the winning connection that put the Tigers in a tie for first:

4. Keystone Oaks 49, Apollo-Ridge 21

Golden Eagles’ QB Alex Smith has garnered the majority of the headlines for Keystone Oaks this season, and rightfully so, but the team also boasts an experienced and talented receiving corps. With the Golden Eagles clinching to a seven-point edge late in the first half, receiver Nick Hrivnak hauled in a spectacular one-handed catch, eluded the defensive back, and then tight roped the sidelines for a 47-yard score. The score gave KO command, as the Golden Eagles cruised to the victory in the battle for first in the Allegheny Conference.

The game was the Pro Grass Video Stream Game of the Week, with MSA Sports’ Sean Meyers and Jake Holmes on commentary, and Scott Majesky providing videography. Hrivnak’s play comes at the 56 minute mark.