WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Two 2013

By: Bruce Markey
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 | 2:33 PM

Week Two of the WPIAL football season featured a high number of blowouts, as the top teams began to separate themselves from the pack. However, big plays were prominent, particularly on special teams. Week Two included 6 punt return touchdowns, 6 kickoff return touchdowns and a blocked punt returned for a score as well. Throw in 13 pick-six returns and 5 fumbles returned for scores and it was an exciting week for non-offensive players. So it maked sense that the Top Play of Week Two belongs to, who else, a kicker.

#1- Chartiers-Houston 9, Bishop Canevin 6

Chartiers-Houston trailed 6-0 at halftime, but rallied to defeat Bishop Canevin 9-6 in a defensive slugfest Friday night. After missing a go-ahead extra point earlier in the game and with 11:20 to play, Mike Cushma would connect on a 42-yard field goal, giving the Bucs their first lead at 9-6. The defense would do the rest, shutting down the Crusaders (1-1, 0-1) attack and giving Chartiers-Houston its first win of the season. But Cushma, a sophomore, earns the top play for his 4th quarter heroics.

Full broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/bishop-canevin-boys-football-at-chartiers-houston-boys-football

WJPA-AM 1450’s Bob Gregg and Nate Regotti on the call.

#2- McKeesport 33, Woodland Hills 20

Two weeks ago, Woodland Hills was billed as the top team in Class Quad A. Now? They’re 0-2 and an old foe on the McKeesport Tigers sideline is a big reason why. Not only was Saturday Homecoming for McKeesport High School, but it was also a homecoming for George Smith, who coached his first home game in nearly four years. Down 13-6, David Queen would hook up with TyWann Smith for a 56-yard strike, tying the game at 13-13 and turning the momentum the Tigers way. McKeesport would never trail again, running away with a 33-20 victory.

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

Adam Gusky and Fred Guy of the Woodland Hills Sports Network on the call.

#3- Uniontown 26, Albert Gallatin 25

Albert Gallatin (1-1, 0-1) has never had a winning season since they became a school in 1987. That’s longer than yours truly has been alive! A 2-0 start would have been a good step. Unfortunately for the Colonials, Uniontown (1-1, 1-1) came up with a giant defensive play to preserve a 26-25 victory. Down 26-19 in the 4th quarter,  Hunter Moody would connect with Branden Dice for an 86-yard touchdown. AG would elect to go for the two-point conversion and the lead. But Uniontown’s Tito Cantalamessa would provide the play of the game, breaking up a pass to the back corner of the end zone, propelling the Red Raiders to a Big Nine Conference victory.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/albert-gallatin-boys-football-at-uniontown-boys-football

WMBS-AM0 590’s Brian Mroziak and Steve Superick on the call.

#4- Seneca Valley 43, Pine-Richland 25

Gadgets and tricks are always big contenders for a Play of the Week. Special teams are always good bets too. Seneca Valley (2-0, 2-0) used both to pull off one of the biggest plays of Week Two. Down 25-22 with time dwindling in the 3rd Quarter, Raiders Coach Don Holl decided to gamble and run a fake punt pass. Upback Brad Hensler would take the snap and throw a pass to an open Mike Smith for a 15-yard gain and a first down. Mason DeHart would later score to give Seneca Valley a 29-25 lead, which they would never give up, beating Pine-Richland (1-1, 1-1) 43-25 on Thursday night.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/seneca-valley-boys-football-at-pine-richland-boys-football

Sam Hall and Lee Mohn of MSA Sports on the call.

#5- Neshannock 34, Laurel 12

It was pegged as a gigantic matchup in Lawrence County. It turned into a Neshannock blowout. The Lancers (2-0, 2-0) were paced by QB Ernie Burkes and RB Eli Owens, who powered Neshannock to a 34-12 win over Neshannock. It is Burkes that gets the Top Play nod though ,as his 76-yard 3rd Quarter rushing touchdown put the Lancers up 28-6 over rival Laurel (1-1, 1-1).

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/laurel-boys-football-at-neshannock-boys-football

WJST-AM 1280’s Mark Schaas and Lee Mohn on the call.