Andrew John stories, Page 3
Gateway volleyball team working to take one step further
The Gateway girls volleyball program finds itself in a similar position to last year. However, this time, the Gators are looking to take an additional step forward. The Gators (5-3, 5-2) have been led by seven players who earned differing degrees of starting time last year. Gateway opened the season...
Power running game, with dash of an air attack, leads to early season surge for Riverview
Riverview’s powerful run game and ability to execute through the air has led to a strong first half of the season for the Raiders. The Raiders (3-2, 1-1) have been led by a two-headed monster in the backfield of their Wing-T offense. Senior running back Carlo Buzzatto led the Raiders...
No. 4 Imani Christian rolls past Burrell for Allegheny Conference win
Going into its matchup against Class 2A No. 4 Imani Christian, Burrell knew it needed to execute when it got into the red zone. But, unfortunately for the Buccaneers, a handful of their drives stalled deep in Saints territory. Imani Christian scored on its first two drives of the game,...
New coach hopes to bring stability to Chartiers Valley girls soccer program
Stability is key for a successful program. This is exactly what first-year coach Dave Zinski is looking to bring to the Chartiers Valley girls soccer program. Zinski, the Colts’ third coach in four years, has been trying to put his fingerprints on the team by injecting positivity around a program...
Despite challenges, Chartiers Valley boys soccer stays in contention
There have been many different obstacles the Chartiers Valley boys soccer program has faced this season, but the Colts have stayed positive as they’ve been challenged by potential roadblocks. The Colts (3-6, 3-4) have been dealt with navigating a coaching change, renovations to their field and injuries to key players....
Deer Lakes football settles down in rout of Apollo-Ridge
After Apollo-Ridge went right down the field on its opening drive, it looked like Deer Lakes was in for a long night. However, the Lancers (2-1) scored four unanswered touchdowns led by their ground attack as they raced to a 49-21 win over Apollo-Ridge in nonconference play at Owens Field...
Randolph runs wild in Highlands’ victory over Blackhawk
Football can be a game of inches. This was certainly the case when Highlands traveled to Blackhawk for a nonconference matchup Friday night. With Highlands holding a 20-13 lead with more than seven minutes remaining in the game, Blackhawk faced a fourth-and- goal at the 5-yard line. The Golden Rams...
North Allegheny girls soccer looks to combine returning stars with young talent
In three of the past four years, the North Allegheny girls soccer program has been standing on top of the WPIAL’s Class 4A heap. Even after the graduation of a well-decorated senior class, the Tigers still have the firepower to defend their title. If they are going to be successful...
Jeannette rallies in 4th quarter to defeat Burrell
Many people might think the Jeannette Jayhawks aren’t the same as years past. However, this year’s team started off on the right foot with a fourth-quarter comeback as they try to restore the program back to its former glory. The Jayhawks traveled to Burrell to defeat the Bucs, 16-13, in...
After breakout season, Westinghouse embraces heightened expectations
Last season, Westinghouse had a fairy tale season that ended at the doorstep of a state championship. However, the Bulldogs have turned the page as they head into a new season with a new cast. The Bulldogs (14-1, 4-0) were the first City League school to reach the state finals...
University Prep working to rejoin top tier of City League contenders
After winning three City League championships in the first 10 years of program history, University Prep has its sights set on taking its first title since 2016. The Panthers (3-6, 2-2) are looking to bounce back from losing to Allderdice, 14-6, in the semifinals of the City League playoffs last...
Allderdice eyes return to top of City League
In the last decade, the Allderdice football program has made eight appearances in the City League championship game. The Dragons hope to return again to avenge their loss to the state runner-up Westinghouse. They have navigated the offseason without coach Jerry Haslett at the helm for all workouts. Haslett suffered...
Cornell turns the page after last season’s close call
In the past two season finales, the Cornell Raiders fell short a yard or two short in matchups against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Last year’s 27-26 loss kept the Raiders from advancing to the WPIAL Class A playoffs. Being that close to returning to the postseason motivated the...
Keystone Oaks eyes deep playoff run with veteran roster
Keystone Oaks will look for another deep playoff run as most of its starters return from a team that advanced to the WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals last season. The Golen Eagles bring back seven starters on each side of the ball, including senior Clinton Robinson, who was named to the...
A WPIAL finalist last season, Avonworth again has high expectations
The way Avonworth’s season concluded last year left a sour taste in the Antelopes’ mouths. No. 2 Avonworth’s season came to a close at Acrisure Stadium after a 24-7 loss to No. 1 Belle Vernon in the WPIAL Class 3A championship. The Lopes, who finished 11-2 overall and 6-0 in...
With key players back, South Fayette poised for big year
Over the last two seasons, the South Fayette football program has dealt with a lot of roster turnover. This fall, coming off a .500 season, the Lions bring back a majority of starters who have played valuable varsity snaps. And the Lions (5-5, 2-3) will be led by an important...
After rebuilding year, Moon ready to take step forward
Heading into last season, the Moon football program was looking to replace a majority of starters who reached the 2021 WPIAL Class 5A championship game. The roster turnover proved to be too much to overcome as the Tigers finished 1-9 overall and 1-4 in Allegheny Six Conference play. This season,...
Upper St. Clair has a new cast but same expectations
The Upper St. Clair football program is no stranger to the WPIAL playoffs, holding a 23-year streak of qualifying for the postseason. Last year’s appearance was a special one. The Panthers came into the playoffs as a No. 5 seed and ended up with their first appearance in the WPIAL...
Big summer for Monroeville Marlins youth swimming program
The Monroeville Marlins summer swim program’s opportunity to utilize Gateway’s facilities has paid off as the organization will be well represented at a local long course championship meet later this month. The Marlins, who used to be based at the Haymaker Swim Club, have utilized the Gateway natatorium for the...
Hampton building foundation for 2023 football season
The spring sports schedule has just wrapped up, but that doesn’t mean teams aren’t already preparing for the fall season. After a heartbreaking WPIAL first-round playoff loss, the Hampton Talbots football team got together the week after Memorial Day to turn the page to the 2023 season. The Talbots are...
Hampton boys lacrosse adds to winning culture with playoff season
When Andy DeMichiei took over the Hampton boys lacrosse program, he wanted to build the culture that would restore the Talbots program to the success it had for over a decade. The Talbots have continued to build that culture as Hampton finished third in the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs this...
Leechburg baseball team says goodbye to talented senior class
The Leechburg baseball team gathered in early January for workouts, which coach Heath Shimer said had a lot to do with the team having its best season since 2009. The Blue Devils (13-5, 10-2) finished the regular season with an eight-game winning streak to lead them to a second-place finish...
WPIAL champion Shaler fends off Canon-McMillan in state volleyball playoffs thriller
In a season where the Shaler boys volleyball team won its first WPIAL championship, the Titans haven’t had to deal with a match that went five sets. You can check that off the Titans’ list now. After dropping their first two sets, Shaler rallied to win the final three sets...
Freeport’s departing seniors helped rebuild baseball program
Even though only one baseball team in each classification gets to celebrate a title at the end of the year, members of the Freeport baseball program can’t be too upset with how their season turned out. After winning only five games in each of the last two seasons, the Yellowjackets...
Key injury, close losses stop Gateway baseball short of playoff goal
Heading into the season, the Gateway baseball team hoped to build off its first-round loss to Bethel Park, the eventual PIAA champions, last year. However, the Gators had to try to find a way back to the playoffs without one of their top seniors. Gateway played the majority of the...
