WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Two 2014

Possibly the top-billed game of week two produced the top play of week two as well. After battling back and forth for 48 minutes, Northern Eight Conference powers Pine-Richland and North Allegheny went to overtime, tied 21-21. After the Tigers had to settle for a field goal, Pine-Richland would get their shot at the win. That’s when Rams Quarterback Ben DiNucci would take over. After being sacked on second down for a 15-yard loss, DiNucci would hit Michael Merhaut on a fade route for a 25-yard game-winning touchdown, giving Pine-Richland a 28-24 road win.

MSA Sports’ and 1410-AM KQV’s Lanny Frattare and Bob Orkwis on the call.

The top-ranked team in AAAA needed a furious comeback and a last-second special teams dagger to take down a tough Bethel Park team on Friday night. After trailing 24-13 early in the 4^th quarter, Woodland Hills would open the game up with one big play after another. After falling behind 31-27 on a fumble return under 1:30 left, the Wolverines would get their play of this young 2014 season, as Toledo recruit Art Thompkins would return the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for the go-ahead score, lifting Woodland Hills to a 33-31 win.

The Woodland Hills Sports Network’s Adam Gusky and Fred Guy on the call.

A week after knocking off AAA newcomer Gateway, Greensburg Salem nearly took down another Greater Allegheny Conference foe in Knoch. The Knights, who at one point led 19-0, would survive a tenacious comeback by Greensburg Salem and, after a blocked field goal with 1:27 left, would see their defense make their biggest stop of the game. Cory Godlewski would record back-to-back sacks for Knoch, forcing Greenburg Salem into a hurried final play, which would be intercepted, finishing off the win for the Knights.

WSIR-AM 680’s Scott Briggs and Dave Bacon on the call.

Up 17-7 with just over 3 minutes left, Brentwood was in need of a big stop to prevent Fort Cherry from getting back into a tough Class A Black Hills Conference battle. That’s exactly what the Spartans got and it’s good that they did. Two minutes later, Fort Cherry did get a touchdown, but it was too little, too late. The Brentwood stop not only came at a critical moment, but at a critical place of the field, the 4-yard line.

MSA Sports’ Mike Sackley and Greg Kuntz on the call.