Week 5’s don’t-miss high school football matchups in the A-K Valley

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 27, 2017 | 9:24 PM

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Class 5A Allegheny 9 CONFERENCE

Fox Chapel (1-4, 1-3) at

Moon (3-2, 2-1)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Fox Chapel lost to Upper St. Clair, 28-24. Moon outlasted North Hills, 38-31

The buzz: The Tigers will try to make it three in a row overall and in conference play, while the Foxes hope to bounce back from a heartbreaking setback to the Panthers and stay in the WPIAL playoff hunt.

Key players: Nick Gizzo continued his strong season for the Foxes last week with 187 yards passing and a 13-yard TD run. Moon quarterback Cole Konieczka threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns while running for another in victory over North Hills.

About the Foxes: The lead was in Fox Chapel's favor against No. 4 USC until the Panthers scored the winning TD with 19 seconds left. The Foxes won last year's meeting with Moon, 47-27, to start a five-game winning streak and snap a 0-5 start to the 2016 season.

About the Tigers: Moon rallied from a first-half deficit last week by outscoring North Hills, 28-14, in the second half. The Tigers are gunning for a playoff spot after missing the postseason the past two years.

Class 5A Big East CONFERENCE

Plum (2-3, 2-2) at Armstrong (2-3, 0-3)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Plum lost to McKeesport, 48-14. Armstrong fell to Franklin Regional, 26-23.

The buzz: Both teams are hoping to bounce back from tough losses. Plum hopes to stay among the conference leaders in the race for the WPIAL playoffs, while Armstrong hopes to snap a three-game losing streak overall and in conference play.

Key players: Plum quarterback Anthony Little threw a touchdown pass last week against McKeesport, his second in as many weeks. Armstrong quarterback Dawson Porter returned from injury and rushed for 128 yards on 24 carries against Franklin Regional.

About the Mustangs: Plum hopes to tighten up its run defense after surrendering more than 600 yards on the ground against McKeesport. Running back Coulter Robb tallied his second straight 100-yard performance with 115 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

About the River Hawks: Armstrong finished with 277 yards rushing against Franklin Regional. Tanner Stivason, who also lined up at quarterback against the Panthers, scored three short touchdowns to pace the scoring attack.

Class 3A Allegheny CONFERENCE

Freeport (3-1, 2-0) at Burrell (1-4, 0-3)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Freeport bounced back from a loss to Aliquippa with a dramatic 24-17 win over Shady Side Academy. Burrell saw a two-score halftime lead slip away in a 28-19 loss to Apollo-Ridge.

The buzz: The rivals clash, with the Yellowjackets hoping to stay undefeated and in the playoff race, while the Bucs hope to get into the conference win column after some tough setbacks.

Key players: Freeport's Austin Romanchak's legs and feet were in motion Friday against Shady Side Academy as he collected all three touchdowns and 88 rushing yards, including the game-winning 1-yard plunge with about two minutes left in regulation. Burrell's Logan Bitar again ran tough with 210 yards and a TD on 23 carries.

About the Yellowjackets: Conor Selinger has complimented the running of Austin Romanchak this season. The tailback collected 87 yards on the ground in the triumph over Shady Side Academy.

About the Bucs: Burrell has suffered four straight losses since topping Springdale in Week Zero. The Bucs had more than 200 yards of total offense at halftime against Apollo-Ridge, but were limited to 48 in the second half.

Class A Eastern Conference

Greensburg Central Catholic (1-4, 0-2)at Leechburg (0-5, 0-4)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Greensburg Central Catholic lost to nonconference Charleroi, 50-3. Leechburg fell 53-13 to conference foe Springdale.

The buzz: Something has to give this week as both teams are looking for their first conference victory.

Key players: Tom Voelker has helped carry the load in the backfield for the Centurians. Blue Devils running back Jake Blumer continues to be a bright spot as he carried the ball 25 times for 89 yards and a touchdown against Springdale.

About the Blue Devils: Leechburg's defense hopes to make an early stop to gain momentum this week. The Blue Devils surrendered touchdowns on Springdale's first seven drives Friday.

About the Centurions: Greensburg Central Catholic averaged the third-most points given up in Class A through Week 4 at 40.8. Only Cornell (42.5) and Avella (55.4) have surrendered more. The Centurions won last year's meeting with Leechburg, 28-21.

Class AEastern CONFERENCE

Springdale (2-3, 1-1) at Riverview (1-3, 1-3)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Springdale got into the conference win column, 53-13 over Leechburg. Riverview suffered a 35-12 loss to Bishop Canevin.

The buzz: The rivals play with heavy hearts after the passing of legendary coach Chuck Wagner, who led both programs during his hall-of-fame career. The winner improves its stock for a WPIAL Class A playoff appearance.

Key players: Springdale quarterback Josh Jones was an efficient 4 of 5 passing for three touchdowns and no interceptions in the win over Leechburg. Riverview running back Devon Binz continued his strong season with 113 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries against the Crusaders.

About the Dynamos: The 40-point win over the Blue Devils helped Springdale snap a two-game losing skid. The Dynamos averaged 47.5 points in their two victories and 16.7 in their three losses.

About the Raiders: Riverview hopes to turn around the recent losing trend in the rivalry with Springdale. From 2007 to last year, the Raiders beat the Dynamos only once — a 7-0 win in 2015. Friday's game is Riverview's lone night game at Riverside Park this season.

NoncONFERENCE

Albert Gallatin (1-3) at Highlands (2-2)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Albert Gallatin was dominated by Class 4A No. 1 Thomas Jefferson, 69-0. Highlands fell to Class 4A No. 4 Mars, 21-10.

The buzz: The Golden Rams step away from conference play hoping to bounce back from the loss to the ranked Planets and stay in the mix of the WPIAL playoff race.

Key players: Albert Gallatin quarterback Dom Lewellen threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 3 win over West Mifflin. Jermaine Jett, an important cog in the Highlands offense this season, tallied the Golden Rams' lone TD against Mars with a 75-yard run off a pass-and-lateral play.

About the Colonials: The 69 points surrendered to TJ last week was the most Albert Gallatin had given up since a 69-22 loss to Trinity in 2015. The Colonials upset West Mifflin, 28-27, two weeks ago.

About the Golden Rams: Highlands had four drives against Mars stopped by interceptions, all by the same player — Planets defensive back Tom Sheehy. The Golden Rams were limited to 10 points last week after coming in averaging 33 points.

NoncONFERENCE

Deer Lakes (0-4) at Brentwood (2-3)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Deer Lakes fell to Valley, 26-20. Brentwood fell to Avonworth, 20-6.

The buzz: Deer Lakes hopes to get into the win column, while a win for Brentwood would snap a three-game losing skid after a 2-0 start.

Key players: Quarterback Michael Trent threw for more than 1,000 yards for Brentwood last year, and he tossed a touchdown last week. Deer Lakes signal-caller Ethan Bender threw only 10 passes, but he completed 6 for 110 yards and three TDs.

About the Lancers: Despite the 20 points scored last week against Valley, Deer Lakes is averaging only 10.3 points per game, third lowest in Class 3A. The Lancers third-quarter touchdown last week — a 3-yard TD reception by Colin Kadlick from Bender, snapped a 10-quarter scoring drought.

About the Spartans: Brentwood is 11-5 on its home field dating to the 2014 season. The Spartans are 1-2 this year at home, but they were 5-1 in 2016 on their way to a spot in the WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals.

NoncONFERENCE

Ellwood City (1-3) at Valley (1-3)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Ellwood City was shut out by 3A No. 1 Aliquippa, 32-0, while Valley picked up its first win, 26-20 over Allegheny Conference foe Deer Lakes.

The buzz: Valley hopes to build on last week's conference triumph, while Ellwood City wants to shake off the performance against the Quips.

Key players: Wolverines senior defensive back Luca Botti intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, in a 28-0 victory over Beaver Falls in Week 3. Deonte Ross was a battering ram for the Vikings against Deer Lakes with 286 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries, all season bests.

About the Wolverines: Ellwood City's loss to Aliquippa came on the heels of its triumph over Beaver Falls in Week 3. The win snapped a 12-game losing streak dating to 2015.

About the Vikings: Valley was able to hold on against Deer Lakes to end a trend this season of games where they gave up leads in the second half (Keystone Oaks, Seton LaSalle). Quarterback Tyler Green threw for 113 yards and a touchdown against the Lancers.

NoncONFERENCE

1-5A West Allegheny (4-0) at Kiski Area (0-4)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: West Allegheny topped Baldwin, 40-11. Kiski Area picked up its first win of the season, 42-7 over Connellsville.

The buzz: The Cavaliers face a challenge in the defending WPIAL Class 5A champions. The Indians hope to add to their 16-game winning streak against WPIAL opponents.

Key players: West Allegheny's Will Weber, Dante Flati and Tyler Gallant combined for 279 rushing yards and five touchdowns last week against Baldwin. Ross Greece tallied 61 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries against Connellsville, giving him six on the season and five in the past two games.

About the Indians: West Allegheny is averaging 39.8 points this season. That puts them second in Class 5A behind only undefeated Gateway (44.0).

About the Cavaliers: The Cavaliers defense did its part against Connellsville. It limited the Falcons' yardage and forced four turnovers, including an interception by Troy Kuhn returned 30 yards for a touchdown.

Class A Eastern Conference

Bishop Canevin (2-2, 2-1) at 2-A Jeannette (5-0, 3-0)

7 p.m. Friday

Last week: Bishop Canevin rolled past Riverview, 35-12. Jeannette toppled Imani Christian, 54-36.

The buzz: Jeannette continues to add to its resume as it builds toward a late-season clash at Clairton. The Jayhawks overcame a tough and trying game last week at Imani Christian, their first test since Week Zero against East Allegheny. The game had 37 penalties for 310 yards.

Key players: Wide receivers Tre Cunningham and Marcus Barnes have been key targets for quarterback Robert Kennedy, who has thrown 13 touchdown passes. Kennedy scored via rush, pass, interception return and punt return against Imani. Zach Trusky and Robert Goodnight have led the Crusaders rushing attack, combining for 463 yards and five scores.

About the Crusaders: Several players transferred just before the season, including Maleik Hemingway, leaving vacancies in the lineup.

About the Jayhawks: They cruised past Bishop Canevin last year, 40-0. Kennedy ran for a score in the win and Jeannette forced a pair of turnovers.

Tags: Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski School, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley