WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Two 2016

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 | 12:37 PM

Week Two featured so many fantastic finishes and game-changing moments, that finding four plays that stood above the rest was nearly impossible. Included in this week’s calls are a spectacular run that capped off an improbable comeback, a daring two-point conversion in overtime, a game-winning field as time expired, and a defensive stand to preserve an upset win. Thus, here are the best moments of the week.

1. Hempfield 41, Mount Lebanon 38

As the rain poured at Hempfield Area High School, the Spartans appeared to be dead in the water to the visiting Blue Devils late in the fourth quarter. A defensive stand on a fourth-down attempt in Mount Lebanon territory allowed the Spartans to get the ball back with a chance to take the lead, though. Running back Jordan Kempa made sure to capitalize on the opportunity, as he absorbed multiple hits but refused to go down on the winning 20-yard touchdown run with less than a minute left.

MSA Sports’ Sean Meyers and Brandon Showers have the call of the spectacular score that gave the Spartans’ the comeback win:

2. Armstrong 43, McKeesport 42

A crucial matchup between Class 5A section foes went to overtime, and after the Tigers scored on their possession, the River Hawks needed to answer. Armstrong found paydirt on its attempt, but coach Frank Fabian decided to go for the win instead of the tie. On the two-point conversion, the River Hawks got the ball in the hands of Zane Dudek, who had eclipsed 300 yards rushing and scored five touchdowns in the game. The work horse put an exclamation point on his terrific effort by crossing the goal line for the victory.

MSA Sports’ Greg Warnock and Jake Holmes detail the decisive play:

3. Mars 24, Blackhawk 21

The Fighting Planets fell into an early hole against Blackhawk, but Mars managed to battle back and deadlock the game in the fourth quarter. Mars then drove into Cougars’ territory, setting up a chance to get the go-ahead score in the closing seconds. Mars kicker Caleb Brake booted a 39-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give the Planets the W.

WBVP-AM 1230’s Bob Barrickman and Kerry Lacey provide the audio for the winning kick:

4. Valley 19, Seton-LaSalle 14

The Vikings were looking to close out an upset win, but Seton-LaSalle manufactured a lengthy drive in the final minutes of the contest that put the Rebels in a position to take the lead. Facing a fourth-down scenario inside the red zone, however, the Rebels were denied by Valley, as Nijal Rodgers batted down the pass to effectively seal the outcome.

MSA Sports’ Andy Stanko and Kevin Zielmanski paint the picture of the Vikings’ big defensive stand: