Through the Years: In 1963, West Deer earned bragging rights vs. Richland

By:
Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 11:01 AM


Each week throughout the high school football season, the Valley News Dispatch will take a look back at the games, players and events that have shaped local scholastic history.

West Deer won the 1963 version of the “Battle of Bakerstown Road” with a 14-12 victory at Richland. Junior running back Paul Martinez scored both Braves touchdowns.

75 years ago

• East Deer won its fifth straight game 19-6 over Verona. Julius Stofega, Henry Cetti and Bob Zarko accounted for the Bucks’ touchdowns.

• Springdale finally hit the victory column with a 20-7 home win against McKees Rocks. Lou Fike ran for two TDs and threw to Charles Drennan for another.

60 years ago

• Arnold defeated Tarentum, 13-7, as 5,000 fans crammed into George Leslie Stadium. A fumble recovery by Herman Demao with eight minutes left set up a 27-yard run by Dave Olivo to decide the issue.

50 years ago

• Kiski Area lost its first home game in five years with Penn Hills downing the Cavaliers, 28-7. Louis Biondi, who became a long-time automobile dealership operator in Monroeville, scored two Indians touchdowns.

• Springdale advanced to 4-1 with a 30-24 decision over Leechburg as the Dynamos employed two quarterbacks with two minutes to go. Jim Zurisko pitched to fellow QB John Valasek, who fired a 30-yard pass to Mike Simcic to pull out the victory.

40 years ago

• Hempfield coach Joe Naunchik saw his Spartans hand his alma mater, Plum, a 22-14 defeat. It was the final Mustangs loss of the season as Plum reeled off seven straight victories to cop the WPIAL 4-A Division II title.

• Kevin Heard ran for three touchdowns as Valley knocked off Swissvale, 33-21, in a Greater Allegheny Conference encounter.

25 years ago

• A 3-yard scramble by Jarrod Sleppy with 8:58 to go lifted Highlands to a 20-19 victory over Valley. Jordan Babinsack’s interception with 1:12 left preserved the win before 7,000 fans in New Kensington.

• Kittanning quarterback H.B. Beckwith’s 67-yard pass to Brent Hockenberry was a key to the Wildcats’ 41-0 victory over Knoch.

10 years ago

• Riverview quarterback Zach Hanus scored twice and made a key interception late in the game to preserve the Raiders’ first victory of the season, 19-12 over Wilkinsburg, under the portable lights at Riverside Park.

• Freeport’s 18-play drive ate up nine minutes of the fourth quarter clock to give the Yellowjackets a 12-10 decision over Burrell. The night wasn’t a total loss for Bucs coach Kevin Horwatt, however, as he became a father for the first time.

Five years ago

• Fox Chapel’s Sam Brown rushed for 155 yards with four touchdowns on 26 carries as the Foxes pounded Connellsville, 45-15.

• Luke Kastelic’s 51-yard interception return put Burrell on its way to a 35-7 home victory over Mt. Pleasant.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

More High School Football

Trib HSSN Pennsylvania high school football rankings for Oct. 15, 2024
Ringgold completes investigation, allows football team to resume season
Trib HSSN High School Football Team of the Week for Oct. 14, 2024
WPIAL launches investigations into Baldwin, Imani Christian over ‘possible recruiting violations’
Trib HSSN football player of the week for Oct. 13, 2024