High School category, Page 1040
Even with star-studded senior class gone, Washington still in contention in Class 2A
One of the things Washington coach Mike Bosnic has been repeatedly drilling into his team in the run-up to the season is the importance of hand washing. It wasn’t a trick designed to get players to focus on the fundamentals, like how UCLA coaching legend John Wooden used to show...
Beth-Center looks to bounce back after rare down season
Last season wasn’t typical for the Beth-Center Bulldogs. The Bulldogs had made 16 straight playoff appearances, but after being devastated by graduation, that streak came to an abrupt end. They went 1-9 and mustered just 17 points per game while allowing 35.8. “All I know is that what went on...
Young Chartiers-Houston roster hopes to gain experience in a hurry
Chartiers-Houston is looking forward to getting back on the football field because after losing a large senior class, the Buccaneers need to gain as much experience as they can get. The Buccaneers went 7-3 last season, losing to West Greene, Sto-Rox and California, while scoring 25.8 points per game. It...
Charleroi seeks to maintain winning ways under new leadership
Charleroi has a new coach for the second time in three years, and the Cougars didn’t have to go far to find him. Charleroi athletic director and former California head coach Brady Barbero was hired as the Cougars’ new head football coach in April, and he is excited to return...
More experienced Frazier roster in hunt for playoff spot
The main color in Frazier High School’s color scheme is red. The football team in 2019 was green, meaning first-year coach Greg Boggs had to rely on juniors and sophomores for the tough grind in the WPIAL Class 2A Century Conference. But Boggs said 2019’s weakness is turning into 2020’s...
Loaded McGuffey welcomes favorite label in Class 2A
Most coaches want to run away and hide from preseason expectations. McGuffey’s Ed Dalton is not like most coaches. “We are the best team with a big roster and 17 starters back,” he said. “This is the best overall team I’ve had at McGuffey. We think we are Final Four...
Waynesburg feels at home in Class 2A Century Conference
Looking for the biggest winner in the WPIAL’s biennial realignment? How about Waynesburg? For the past two seasons, the Raiders have been through the meat grinder in the Class 3A Tri-County West, butting heads with powers such as Aliquippa, Central Valley and Beaver Falls on an annual basis. They went...
WPIAL sets Sept. 1 deadline for schools to opt out of fall sports
The WPIAL believes a large majority of member schools will play sports this fall, but it’s hoping to know for sure in the next week. School administrators will receive a survey Tuesday asking them to respond if they intend to opt out of any fall sport, WPIAL executive director Amy...
Norwin track coach Harry ‘Bucky’ Hickle included family in passion
A championship family man and a championship coach, Harry Hickle was loyal to his loved ones and his student-athletes. If Norwin’s track and field teams were winning — and they won a lot — he was happy. Victories by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Notre Dame didn’t hurt, either. Watching...
Mt. Lebanon shuts down football workouts, must cancel season opener
A positive covid-19 test caused Mt. Lebanon to shut down football activities until next week, a delay that will force the team to cancel its preseason scrimmage and season opener. The PIAA requires 10 practices before a scrimmage and 15 before the first game, thresholds Mt. Lebanon can’t reach in...
Football coaches fear postponement, transfers could doom City League
City League football coaches are worried about losing their season, but they’re also fearful they could lose the entire league. “If we don’t play football this year, we won’t have City League football in a couple of years,” Allderdice coach Jerry Haslett said. Pittsburgh Public Schools’ administration recommended earlier this...
Despite graduation losses, Thomas Jefferson retains title aspirations
Editor’s note: This is the first installment of Trib HSSN’s high school football preview series. One WPIAL conference will be previewed each day through Wednesday, Sept. 9. Thomas Jefferson returned to the top of the WPIAL mountain last season, and the Jaguars hope to stay there this fall. The Jaguars...
Charlie Swink leaving post as Southmoreland AD with pride
Charlie Swink was there to see the football team’s breakthrough season. He witnessed the championship run of the softball team, a state-championship wrestler and he looked on as the girls basketball team made history. But Swink’s days around the Southmoreland athletic department are over, at least for now. Swink recently...
Belle Vernon has pedigree to contend
Since Matt Humbert was hired as the football coach at Belle Vernon in 2014, the program has seen steady improvement. The Leopards have defeated perennial power Thomas Jefferson, won the conference title twice, reached the WPIAL semifinals and, finally, in 2019, reached the WPIAL finals for the first time since...
Underclassmen growing into contributors for Ringgold
It’s been a rough few seasons for the Ringgold football program — winless in 2018 and two wins, one by forfeit, in 2019. But second-year coach and Ringgold alumnus Darwin Manges is starting to see some light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. “It’s encouraging because now we have...
Playoff eligibility in doubt for talented West Mifflin team led by Pitt recruit Nahki Johnson
As camps finally begin across the state, every high school football team has questions, from competition for starting spots to trying to stay healthy during a pandemic. However, one district school has another massive question hanging over its heads as practices begin. Will West Mifflin be eligible for the 2020...
After successful Class 5A stint, McKeesport happy to return to 4A ranks
For 3½ decades, McKeesport called Class AAAA home in high school football. Four years after expansion to six classifications saw the Tigers competing in Class 5A, McKeesport returns to 4A football this fall. “Moving into 4A is exciting,” McKeesport coach Matt Miller said. “We get to play against a whole...
2-sport star Rodney Gallagher has talent to elevate Laurel Highlands
Sophomore Rodney Gallagher helped the Laurel Highlands basketball team win a WPIAL Class 4A title in 2020. Can the superstar athlete now help the football team become relevant? Since North Union and South Union merged to become Laurel Highlands in 1966, the basketball team has had most of the school’s...
With coach in their corner, Trinity seniors set to showcase their skills
Trinity football coach Jon Miller spent time during pandemic quarantine promoting his rising senior players on Twitter. He posted photos, links to Hudl highlights and a few strengths for each of his upperclassmen. Now, with actual football about to be played, he wants to see them back up his words...
WPIAL treasurer Michael Allison voted ‘no’ to starting fall sports. Here’s why.
Hopewell principal Michael Allison is a former high school athlete and coach, the treasurer of the WPIAL and president of the Pennsylvania Principals Association. He’s also one of five PIAA board members Friday who voted against starting fall sports next week. Allison understands his vote won’t be popular with many,...
Athletic directors, coaches express relief, optimism as fall sports get go-ahead
Most high school athletes across the state received good news Friday when the PIAA voted 25-5 to begin fall sports Monday. Now it’s up to each school district to decide if they will allow their students to participate, especially in contact sports such as football, soccer and field hockey. “I...
PIAA ignores Gov. Wolf’s recommendation, allows fall sports to start Monday
High school football season starts Monday, along with soccer, cross country, girls volleyball and all other PIAA fall sports. The PIAA board of directors ignored Gov. Tom Wolf’s strong recommendation and voted Friday to let fall sports start as scheduled, but the PIAA left the responsibility with individual school districts...
Allegheny County schools can play football under health department’s 50-person limit
The PIAA voted to allow high school sports to proceed on schedule. Allegheny County schools got a double dose of good news. Allegheny County schools will be able to play games at home, the WPIAL and Allegheny County Health Department announced Friday in a joint statement. The county’s 50-person limit...
Sto-Rox hires Aliquippa’s Dwight Hines, all-time scorer Kerry Connolly as basketball coaches
After decades in red and black, Dwight Hines is embracing green energy at Sto-Rox. The former coach and star athlete at Aliquippa was hired Thursday night as the Sto-Rox boys basketball coach. Hines didn’t choose to leave his alma mater this summer, but said his new job already reminds him...
PIAA set to make ‘biggest announcement’ regarding fall sports
The PIAA has been around for more than a century, and Friday’s decision surely ranks among its most debated. Should high school sports be played this fall? Gov. Tom Wolf repeatedly has said no and issued a “strong recommendation” that all youth sports be delayed until at least Jan. 1...
