Belle Vernon , Page 7

Ligonier Valley begins new chapter in WPIAL football playoffs

Ligonier Valley’s football team will open a new chapter in its school’s history. The ninth-seeded Rams will play their first WPIAL playoff game when they travel to Beaver County to take on No. 8-seeded South Side in a Class 2A first-round contest. Ligonier Valley rejoined the WPIAL prior to the...
WPIAL reveals football playoff brackets, surprises with No. 1 seed in 2A

In the span of a year, Steel Valley went from a one-win season to the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL football playoffs. The Ironmen rebounded from a 1-5 record a year ago to win the Allegheny Conference title this fall with an undefeated record. That comeback story earned Steel...
Whitlock, Martin lead Belle Vernon to Big 8 Conference title by beating McKeesport

Belle Vernon didn’t wear masks with the likeness of Michael Myers, but the Leopards handed out nightmares for McKeesport Friday night. Devin Whitlock accounted for four first-half touchdowns as the Leopards rolled to a 46-14 win to claim the Big 8 Conference championship and will likely be the No. 1...
Westmoreland football notebook: GCC will take on different look in WPIAL playoffs

Greensburg Central Catholic has clinched a spot in the WPIAL Class A football playoffs, but the team the Centurions roll out in the opener might be unrecognizable compared to the one fans have seen all season. That is because the Centurions have to sit five transfers, all two-way starters, for...
Chick’s Picks certainly not a green thumb when it comes H.S. football Gardner Points

Welcome to Week 9. As we enter the final week of regular season play, all eyes are on the postseason. Amid the playoff hype, we hear a lot about clinchings, final rankings, and perhaps the most enigmatic factor of all — Gardner Points. What are Gardner Points anyway? This is...
Westmoreland soccer notebook: GCC’s Winnor out for playoffs

If Greensburg Central Catholic makes another WPIAL title run in girls soccer, the Centurions will have to do so without senior Bethany Winnor. The senior midfielder and New Hampshire recruit is out after having surgery on her right ankle on Friday. She is expected to miss four months. “I had...
There’s no disguising Birdie’s ability to pick Westmoreland County winners

Last week: 8-4 (66.7%) Season: 79-31 (71.8%) With a fingernail flick, a piece of candy corn soars across the office and hits a copy editor on the back of the head. “It’s good!” the Birdie shouts, raising his fists into the air and disturbing a lifestyles writer and a news...
With TJ out of picture, Belle Vernon, McKeesport battle for conference crown

When people talk about which team will win the Big Eight Conference, the conversation usually is centered on Thomas Jefferson, which has won the past two WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A titles. But that’s not the case this year. The conference title will be decided by the winner of Friday’s...
Westmoreland high school football notebook: GCC’s Dlugos boys play with heavy hearts

“RWG Pap” was written in bold, black lettering on the tape wrapped around Nate Dlugos’ wrist. The Greensburg Central Catholic junior quarterback/defensive back, his brother and teammate, Nick Dlugos, and their cousin, Danny Dlugos, went to Friday’s game at Jeannette with heavy hearts. Only hours before kickoff, they attended a...
Westmoreland WPIAL soccer playoff capsules: Games of Oct. 23, 2021

Saturday’s games Boys Class 3A first round 8-Mars (12-4-2) at 9-Belle Vernon (13-4) 2 p.m. at James Weir Stadium, Belle Vernon Winner plays: Winner of 16-Indiana (10-8)/1-West Allegheny (18-0) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (site TBD) Mars is the defending WPIAL and PIAA champion. The Fightin’ Planets have overcome key graduation...
Westmoreland County high school football notes: Southmoreland preps for massive game

Southmoreland coach Dave Keefer and his staff have prepared for some meaningful games since they took over in 2018. “There were some big ones that first year,” Keefer said. “We had a big one (against McGuffey) two years ago. This one Friday ranks right up there.” Southmoreland (6-2, 3-1 Class...
Westmoreland County football players to watch in 2021 Week 8

Conlan Greene Penn-Trafford, jr., TE/DE Greene has recorded eight sacks, six tackles for losses and has forced three fumbles. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior has four catches for 60 yards and is a solid blocker. Chase Ruokonen Belle Vernon, jr., WR/DB The junior has rushed for 39 yards and is the...
Westmoreland high school notebook: Local soccer teams punch tickets

The local WPIAL soccer playoff field is set. The top four teams in each girls and boys section qualify. Area girls qualifiers are Latrobe, Norwin and Penn-Trafford in Class 4A; Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional and Kiski Area in 3A; Burrell, Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland and Yough in 2A; and Greensburg Central...
Westmoreland football notebook: Penn State coaches come to watch Belle Vernon’s Martin

Belle Vernon had a couple of special guests on campus Friday. For the second week in a row, major college football coaches stopped by to check in on standout Quinton Martin, the coveted sophomore recruit who began collecting Division I offers as a freshman. Penn State coach James Franklin and...
Quinton Martin romps, Belle Vernon stomps Trinity

It’s not quite Halloween, but Trinity may have nightmares of Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin. After his performance Friday, who could blame them? Trinity bore witness to the return of the Leopards’ talented sophomore, who suffered a hyperextended knee three weeks ago against Thomas Jefferson. Martin exploded for five touchdowns against...
Westmoreland County football notebook: No. 4 GCC prepared for test at No. 1 Clairton

Greensburg Central Catholic might be new to the Trib HSSN Class A football rankings this week, but playing Clairton is nothing new to the Centurions. It is, though, to their coach. The Class A Eastern Conference game against the top-ranked Bears looks to be the toughest challenge so far for...

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