High School category, Page 1035
The Birdie whistling a happy tune now that football is back in the A-K Valley
The TribLive HSSN high school sports staff logged on to a video conference call for the annual high school football preseason meeting. The editors and writers started discussing the plan for the upcoming season, how they would handle the restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, and how this season might work...
Run vs. Pass: Fast-paced, high-scoring offenses finding a home in Alle-Kiski Valley
When Shawn Liotta took over the Burrell football program two years ago, he brought a fast-paced and exciting passing offense with him. The Bucs quickly adopted the motto “Play Fast” as they operated with a no-huddle, run-and-shoot offense that lights up the scoreboard and set a PIAA record for most...
Waldier brothers hope to provide winning combination for Yough football
It’s been a little more than a year since Tristan Waldier’s sophomore season at Yough came to a drastic, premature end. The Cougars’ starting quarterback suffered a season-ending injury after a hit to the knee during a Week Zero matchup against Serra Catholic Aug. 23. The injury occurred after Waldier...
Jeannette superintendent sends letter to Gov. Wolf concerning fan limitation
Jeannette’s fan base is about as loyal as they come in the WPIAL. Devoted fans follow the Jayhawks wherever they go, especially in football. Remember, this is a town that sold chunks of grass from McKee Stadium when the longtime home field went to artificial turf last year. Some people...
Philadelphia high school football player collapses, dies after practice
La Salle College High School football player Isaiah Turner collapsed and died following his team’s Friday practice, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. He was 17. Turner was rushed to Chestnut Hill Hospital where he was pronounced dead, La Salle’s director or marketing and public relations, Chris Carabello, told The Inquirer. The...
Cross country coaches make tweaks to run meets, generate ‘enthusiasm, optimism’
With the hope of having a fall high school season and understanding meets most likely would take a form unlike any before, cross country coaches throughout the WPIAL collaborated with each other and others from across the country to develop ideas as well as generate enthusiasm and optimism. Pennsylvania teams...
Depth, experience to fuel Apollo-Ridge in quest for postseason
No matter where Apollo-Ridge coach John Skiba turns on the practice field, he sees a returning starter. Experience abounds for the Vikings, who hope to build on last year’s 7-4 overall record and WPIAL Class 2A playoff appearance. The team also hosted its first postseason game since 2014. “I and...
Increased numbers, returning talent fuel Serra Catholic in quest for success
Serra Catholic battled No. 4 Neshannock in last year’s WPIAL Class 2A first round before falling, 31-17. Eagles fourth-year coach Jose Regus said despite the playoff loss, much was gained by his players throughout the 2019 campaign, which finished with a 6-4 overall record. With increased numbers — from 23...
Young, inexperienced Ligonier Valley to be tested in Class 2A Allegheny
A new chapter in Ligonier Valley history starts Sept. 11. Ligonier Valley returns to the WPIAL after spending the past 50 years playing football in District 6, including the past five seasons as one of the most dominant teams in Class 2A. The Rams went 60-7 over the span, including...
With numbers up, Shady Side Academy grateful for chance to play this season
Shady Side Academy’s football team made headlines last year when low roster numbers and injuries conspired to cause the forfeit of a Week 5 conference game at Apollo-Ridge. But the players regrouped, and the next week, they defeated conference foe Summit Academy to solidify their position in the WPIAL Class...
Avoiding slow start key as Steel Valley aims for return to playoffs
Looking back with 20-20 hindsight, the Steel Valley football team needed some time to get its bearings at the start of last season. The core players who led the Ironmen to three consecutive WPIAL Class 2A title games — including championship seasons in 2016 and ‘18 — had moved on....
High school roundup for Sept. 4, 2020: Moon girls golf stays unbeaten
Rhianna Firmstone took medalist honors with a 40 and Moon stayed undefeated after four matches with a 171-202 Section 1-AAA girls golf victory over North Allegheny on Friday at Pittsburgh North GC. Alizabeth Cross shot 41 and Marley Leach 43 for Moon. Katie Rankin led North Allegheny with a 41....
One WPIAL football team expects hundreds of fans at its opener: South Fayette
South Fayette’s football team will travel two hours for its season opener, but there is an obvious silver lining. By playing a game out of state, the Lions can have a couple of hundred of their fans in the stands. “It worked out perfect,” coach Joe Rossi said. South Fayette...
Coronavirus cases create tangled web of WPIAL football schedule changes
Times are changing these days because of the coronavirus. That means changing minute by minute. Because of covid-19 issues, several schools have made adjustments to their football schedules. Kiski Area paused football activities until Sept. 10 due to a coronavirus exposure issue. Elizabeth Forward pushed back the start of in-person...
Kiski Area football reschedules postponed games
Earlier this week, the Kiski Area football team was forced to postpone its first two games of the season because of a covid-19 exposure. The Cavaliers suspended all football activities until Sept. 10 and had to postpone matchups against Penn Hills and Connellsville. But, the Cavaliers now have it all...
Franklin Regional looks to stay healthy, put rare losing season in rearview mirror
Injuries have proven costly to the success of the Franklin Regional football program the past few seasons. The Panthers usually have the players to compete with anyone in Class 5A as long as they stay healthy. That hasn’t occurred recently. Franklin Regional went 4-5 in 2019, suffering its first losing...
Gateway keeps focus on championship opportunities
Gateway captured a WPIAL championship last year, its second district football title in three years and seventh in the storied history of the program. The Gators return this season with similar intentions, and they also hope to make another run to Hershey after falling in the state semifinals a season...
Latrobe looks to get back to postseason, take next step
After reaching the WPIAL playoffs two years in a row on the heels of an eight-year drought, Latrobe feels a sense of accomplishment. But don’t expect the Wildcats to be satisfied. Resting on their laurels won’t sit well with the coaching staff. “You can’t just be satisfied with getting there,”...
Penn-Trafford ready to ride Carr toward postseason
Skill, speed, depth and potential. All typical traits of a Penn-Trafford football team heading into a new season. Seemingly, every season. Coach John Ruane rarely has a void to fill as he and his staff groom players each year to replace current standouts — a focus on today with an...
After rare playoff miss, Woodland Hills aims for normalcy
It just doesn’t happen. It’s not supposed to happen, Woodland Hills missing the WPIAL playoffs. But last year, the unthinkable became reality. For the third time in three decades and first time since 1995, the Wolverines were on the outside looking in at the postseason. It was a drag around...
High school roundup for Sept. 3, 2020: Shady Side Academy golfers win tri-match
Charles Troutman and Wes Warden shot 35 to lead Shady Side Academy to victory over Fox Chapel and Kiski Area in a Section 8-AAA boys golf tri-match Thursday at Pittsburgh Field Club. Shady Side shot 193, Fox Chapel 197 and Kiski Area 232. Aidan Oehrle led Fox Chapel with a...
Norwin’s Sydney Gray verbals to VMI for soccer
Norwin is used to churning out NCAA Division I girls soccer talent. It is practically a yearly occurrence for the perennial power. College coaches know where to find high-caliber players who will fit into their system. Sydney Gray became the latest player from the school to choose a D1 program...
Legislation that gives schools say on spectators moves closer to Gov. Wolf’s desk
Before WPIAL football teams kick off next week, state lawmakers may send a bill to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk that would let more spectators attend interscholastic events. “I absolutely think that’s a real possibility,” said state Rep. Mike Reese, R-Westmoreland, the primary sponsor of House Bill 2787. “I think that’s...
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Another D1 offer for Penn-Trafford football
A fourth player on the Penn-Trafford football team has an opportunity to play Division I football. Junior Cade Yacamelli, a wide receiver and defensive back, was offered a spot at Penn of the Ivy League. An athletic 6-foot, 190-pounder, Yacamelli could see time as a ball carrier this season for...
3 from WPIAL make volleyball All-American watch list
Pitt recruit Makayla Jackson of Plum leads a talented trio from the WPIAL selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Under Armor All-American Watch list. Jackson, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter, is joined on the lengthy list by Burgettstown libero Avery Havelka and Geibel senior setter Shannon Watkins. Havelka and Watkins...
