Scholastic Notebook – 10/28/2016

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 28, 2016 | 5:52 PM

It was a first-time occurrence earlier this season when Armstrong’s Zane Dudek, Clairton’s Lamont Wade and Steel Valley’s DeWayne Murray all surpassed 5,000 career yards rushing. Of the 19 running backs in WPIAL history who ran for 5,000, Dudek, Wade and Murray were the first trio to do it in the same year.

But that trio isn’t just settling at 5,000. They could be the three amigos for 6,000.

It is very likely that Dudek, Wade and Murray will all have 6,000 career yards soon. Dudek and Wade already have reached the milestone. Murray has 5,536 yards. Steel Valley has one regular-season game remaining, and then the playoffs. Steel Valley has crushed every opponent and is a heavy favorite to make it to at least the WPIAL Class 2A title game. If Steel Valley makes it to the champioship, that means five more games. That also means 6,000 should be easy for Murray.

As for Dudek and Wade, 7,000 yards is a likely possibility, and seemingly a certainty for Dudek. Wade has 6,121 career yards entering Friday’s game against Jeannette. Clairton is a heavy favorite to at least make it to the WPIAL Class 1A title game. That would mean at least five more games for Wade.

Dudek, meanwhile, has 6,720 career yards and could reach 7,000 tonight against Kiski Area. Armstrong also has qualified for the playoffs.

There is a coincidence with Dudek and Wade going for 7,000. Wade holds the WPIAL single-season rushing record (including playoffs) with 2,765 in 2014. Barring injury, Dudek seems to be a cinch to break that tonight.

Robinson to West Virginia

The West Virginia football team landed a WPIAL recruit Friday afternoon when Kenny Robinson of Imani Christian announced he has made a verbal commitment to the Mountaineers. Pitt and Iowa State were his other finalists.

Robinson plays quarterback for Imani Christian, but he was recruited as an athlete. He can play receiver or defensive back in college.

This is Robinson’s first year at Imani. He previously played receiver at University Prep in the City League. He has helped Imani clinch a WPIAL Class A playoff spot.

Two Semis for Coach

The WPIAL boys and girls soccer semifinals are Saturday. For one coach, he’ll have a semifinal doubleheader.

Colin Williams does something that is practically unheard of in the history of WPIAL soccer. He coaches both the Freedom boys and girls team. This is his third year with the girls and first with the boys. Only a few others are known to coach boys and girls teams at the same time.

But now Williams has done something that puts the story among the most unusual ever in WPIAL soccer. He has guided both teams to the WPIAL semifinals. And the WPIAL has done Williams a favor by putting the Freedom boys and girls games after each other Saturday.

The Freedom boys play Sewickley Academy at 3 p.m. The Freedom girls play Highlands at 5 at North Allegheny. So Williams will have to give a postgame speech to the boys, followed by a pregame speech to the girls.

Gunn-ing for Highlands

Taylor Gunn will kick for the Highlands football team for the final time in her career Friday when the Rams play at Indiana. Saturday, she hopes she doesn’t kick a soccer ball for the final time for the Rams.

Gunn also plays soccer for the Highlands girls and is the team’s leading goal scorer. Highlands plays Freedom in the WPIAL semifinals Saturday.

Gunn has two field goals this season heading into the Indiana game.

CV Golfers “State” Their Case

Central Valley is known for having a top-notch football program. Since the school opened in 2010, the Warriors have made it to a WPIAL title game four times. Also, the school’s boys basketball team won a WPIAL title a few years ago.

But on the state level, Central Valley’s girls golf team could make a claim to a dynasty.

Earlier this week, Central Valley won the PIAA Class AA girls golf team championship. That is the third time in four years that Central Valley has won a state title.

A Matter of Perfection

If Washington defeats Beth-Center Friday, Washington will become only the 15^th team in WPIAL history to have three consecutive perfect regular seasons. Ten teams have done it three times, but four have done it four or more. Those four are Braddock (6), Aliquippa (6), South Fayette (4) and Woodland Hills (4). Also Friday, if South Fayette beats Montour, South Fayette will finish the regular season undefeated for the fifth consecutive year.

If Thomas Jefferson defeats West Mifflin tonight, Thomas Jefferson will have its 11^th perfect regular season in school history. Bill Cherpak has been the coach for nine of them.