High School category, Page 617
Mars surges past Montour as coach Eric Kasperowicz wins in return to sidelines
A year ago, coaches and players throughout Western Pennsylvania had a familiar refrain following their Week Zero contests. They got, as so many said, “back to normal.” Eric Kasperowicz finally got to experience that. The former Pine-Richland coach, who was controversially ousted last spring by the school’s administration, returned to...
New coach focuses on fundamentals, teamwork at Summit Academy
Anthony Becoate thought this was the right time to take his first job as a head coach. The McKeesport and Clarion graduate had previously coached junior varsity football at Summit Academy seven years ago but took time away from coaching after having a child. Stepping back into coaching by taking...
South Side has weapons to compete with Class A’s best
Coming off a hard-earned berth in the WPIAL Class 2A playoff field last season, South Side is looking to be one of the top teams in Class A this year. Luke Travelpiece is going into his seventh year as Rams head coach and is looking to improve in some areas....
Despite playoff win, Shenango wants to shake off disappointing 2021
Coming off a 7-2 season in 2020, Shenango had high hopes this time last year. But reality failed to meet expectations and, despite a second straight season with a playoff victory, the Wildcats were left wanting more. “We thought we would have a much more successful season based on our...
Despite roster losses, reloaded Laurel in good position to contend in Class A
Last fall, Brian Cooper watched as, week in and week out, his running back and quarterback sliced through opposing defenses. The combination of Luke McCoy and Kobe DeRosa combined for 2,938 rushing yards and scored 47 touchdowns, as the Spartans finished the season 11-1, qualifying for the WPIAL Class 2A...
With losing streak in rearview mirror, Northgate excited about progress
A year ago, Northgate entered the 2021 season carrying the weight of the WPIAL’s longest losing streak — 32 games played, 32 straight losses. But the Flames wasted no time snapping the skid, topping Carlynton, 22-6, in Week Zero. “To get that first win, and see the look on those...
Rochester ready to ‘kick the door down’ in 2022
Rochester has a message for its Class A opponents this year — tighten those hinges. “Our motto this year is, ‘Kick the door down,’” said 23rd-year coach Gene Matsook. “That door is the semifinals, and hopefully we can knock it down and move to the next level.” The Rams, for...
New coach brings lessons learned from all-time greats to Union
If anyone’s ever been ready for his first head coaching job, it’s Union’s Kim Niedbala. He is the son of the late Rich Niedbala, who won 192 games and three WPIAL titles at Western Beaver. He played under coach Joe Hamilton, second-winningest coach in WPIAL history at Blackhawk. He’s been...
New Ringgold coach ready to face challenges of restoring winning culture
Marcus McCullough played his final football game at Ringgold in 1987, losing to New Castle in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals. Now he’s in charge of restoring the Rams’ program into the force that it once was, and he’s relishing that chance in his first season at the helm. “It’s...
Elizabeth Forward not ready to relinquish top spot in Class 3A Interstate Conference
Elizabeth Forward has heard all the rumblings about certain Interstate Conference newcomers. But as far as the Warriors are concerned, they’re still the top dogs. The Warriors have won the Interstate four out of the last five years, and with a talented lineup coming back, coach Mike Collodi thinks his...
Expect balanced offense, young players in key spots for Bentworth with this season
As Bentworth football coach JJ Knabb enters his fourth year with the Bearcats, he is faced with a team that may not have a lot of experience but has tremendous upside. The Bearcats entered the preseason with 28 players on their roster, but only four are seniors. “As a coaching...
Serra Catholic ready to shake off graduation losses, begin WPIAL title defense
Confidence isn’t lacking inside the football locker room at Serra Catholic. A year after winning WPIAL gold and playing in a state championship game in Hershey, the Eagles are faced with the tall task of trying to replicate last season’s success. Can they do it? They surely believe so. “We...
New Charleroi coach knows team won’t get outworked
Soon after he was hired as head coach at Charleroi, Mark Gambino reached out to a former coach to get a little inside information on the team he was taking over. “He told me, ‘They will work hard for you,’” Gambino said. “He said, ‘Set the tone and they’ll work.’”...
Butler looking to build off most successful season in 25 years
Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side. After going a combined 0-20 in 2018 and 2019, the Butler football program decided to leave the WPIAL to play an independent schedule. After finishing 2-4 in 2020, the Golden Tornado enjoyed a winning season last fall for the first time...
Brownsville embarks on independent schedule following another coaching change
After years of despair in the WPIAL, Brownsville’s football program is on the move. The Falcons, who’ve won just 26 games in 21 seasons since their last non-losing record (5-5) in 2000, are set to begin play this year as a PIAA Class 3A independent program after a long affiliation...
Albert Gallatin football loving the independent life
These are the glory days of high school football at Albert Gallatin. The story is familiar by now. In 2018, the Colonials finished 0-10 and were outscored 479-46, an average score of 48-4 with most of the games ending with a running clock. The program hadn’t had a winning season...
Trio of Connellsville alumni to share coaching duties, trying to get program back on track
Times have been tough for the Connellsville football team for a number of years. The Falcons have endured back-to-back losing seasons and haven’t tasted victory since defeating Albert Gallatin to close out the 2019 season. Connellsville, which enters the season riding a 17-game losing streak, hasn’t qualified for the WPIAL...
Trib HSSN don’t-miss high school football matchups for 2022 Week Zero
Welcome to the 2022 WPIAL football season. Zero usually means nothing, but in this case, Week Zero equates into a lot of excitement and optimism as a new campaign kicks off. All but nine of the 117 WPIAL football teams will be in game action this weekend while eight others...
Trib HSSN football players to watch for 2022 Week Zero
Here are four WPIAL high school football players to watch in Week Zero: Bobbie Boyd Jr. McKeesport, sr., RB/S Boyd will be a focal point of McKeesport’s vaunted rushing attack again this season after rushing for 1,545 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago. The Trib HSSN preseason all-star has...
Yough has ‘extension of a coach’ in WR Roebuck
When he found out he was moving from quarterback to receiver late last season, Yough’s Gavin Roebuck had mixed emotions. OK, he was pretty bummed out. Distraught and disconnected, he was a wayward soul who lost his footing and suddenly was sliding down the side of Cougar Mountain. But then...
Westmoreland high school football notebook: ‘Huddie’ Kaufman to be honored
The press box at Offutt Field was one of his favorite spots to watch a football game. It was part office, part sanctuary. Whether he was covering games during his near-40-year career at the Tribune-Review or working the game clock later in life, Howard “Huddie” Kaufman felt connected to Greensburg...
Hydration important for athletes to compete in heat
Greensburg Salem junior wide receiver Cody Rubrecht was having the game of his life to open the 2021 football season against Hempfield. He caught nine passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns and helped the Golden Lions to a touchdown lead. But late in the third quarter after catching a...
After 6 years, 6-classification format still has pros, cons for WPIAL football teams
Six for six. The PIAA six years ago divided high school football into six classifications, up from four, a hotly debated decision that changed the Friday night landscape across the state. In Western Pennsylvania, where teams kick off their seasons tonight, the question remains: Is this six-class format good for...
Westmoreland County girls soccer preview: Class 3A field loaded with contenders
WPIAL Class 3A girls soccer just got a lot stronger. As if three-time defending champion Mars — with its 63-game winning streak — wasn’t already a problem for opponents, the addition of former 4A teams Moon, Latrobe and Penn-Trafford only stands to thicken the title chase. Moon won WPIAL and...
Westmoreland County boys soccer preview: New challenges for Jeannette, Franklin Regional
Jeannette is not necessarily running from anyone by playing up in classification in boys soccer. The way the Jayhawks see it, the move is about perspective and proper placement. Jeannette is a Class A school according to enrollment numbers, but it chose to play in Class 2A to be with...
