WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Two 2015

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 15, 2015 | 3:44 PM

The second week of the football season was perhaps even more exciting and unpredictable than the first. To that point, this installment includes another instant classic between Class AA Allegheny Conference foes, as well as a Big Ten Conference powerhouse tasting defeat for the second straight week. Additionally, this compilation highlights narrow victories in the closing moments by a pair of teams hoping to rebound from their difficult 2014 campaigns. Without further adieu, here’s the top plays for week two.

1. Highlands 31, Apollo-Ridge 28 (OT)

Last year when these teams met, the Golden Rams scored a thrilling 28-27 victory, which paved the way for the section title in the Class AA Allegheny Conference. The rematch more than lived up to the hype, as the teams battled into overtime after Highlands scored 14 unanswered points. With Vikings’ standout Duane Brown sidelined for the extra session, Highlands took advantage, and moved the ball near the goal line for a game-winning field goal opportunity for female kicker Taylor Gunn. Her 20-yard attempt sailed between the uprights, giving the Golden Rams the victory.

MSA Sports Matt Vandriak and Brandon Showers have the call:

2. Belle Vernon Area 31, Thomas Jefferson 24 (OT)

For a team that has shown complete section dominance for more than a decade, the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars’ week one loss to Ringgold came as a surprise to many. A week two loss at home to Belle Vernon Area was almost unthinkable, but that’s exactly what happened, as the Leopards scored the overtime upset. Belle Vernon Area’s Ben Cole scored a 1-yard touchdown in the extra frame to put his team ahead, and the Leopards’ defense came up with a big stop to seal the shocker.

MSA Sports Greg Warnock and Gero Von Dahn have the call of the game’s final play.

3. Hempfield Area 35, Norwin 34

After the Hempfield Area Spartans fell into a three-touchdown deficit in the first half  on Friday, the team appeared headed towards a 0-2 start to the season. The Spartans battled back against Norwin, though, and had the ball in the final minute trailing by seven points. Quarterback Daniel Walters made the play of the game, and perhaps of the season for Hempfield Area, when he connected with Nick Shade on a 25-yard score with 10 seconds left. With momentum on his team’s side, Spartans’ coach Rich Bowen called for a two-point conversion, which Walters also converted to give Hempfield Area the unlikely victory.

107.1 WHJB FM’s Mike Zappone and Jimmy Lee Santorella provide the commentary for the touchdown strike that set up the winning conversion.

4. Deer Lakes 14, Valley 12

The Lancers have endured some difficult seasons recently, including just one win in 2014. But after an opening week triumph, Deer Lakes had a chance to move to 2-0 following a battle against the Valley Vikings. That’s exactly what happened, as the Lancers and Hunter Burns controlled the tempo of the game with a powerful running attack. Valley mounted a comeback bid in the fourth quarter, though, and after a touchdown with 3:24 remaining, the Vikings needed a two-point conversion to deadlock the contest. The Deer Lakes’ defense came up big, stopping Valley’s quarterback Philip Petit on his scramble attempt.

MSA Sports Sean Meyers and Steve Nagler call the action.