A-K Valley’s don’t-miss high school football matchups for Week

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 5, 2018 | 7:18 PM

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Class 5A Big East

No. 1 Gateway (2-0, 1-0) at Plum (1-1, 0-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Mustangs Stadium, Plum

Last week: Gateway 27, Penn-Trafford 7; Franklin Regional 45, Plum 7

Coaches: Don Holl, Gateway; Matt Morgan, Plum

Top players: Derrick Davis, Gateway (So., 6-0, 180, RB/LB); William Guzzi, Plum (So, 5-7, 160, RB/DB)

Keep an eye on: Jeremiah Joseph, Gateway (Sr., 5-11, 170, WR/FS)

Momentum: Gateway is off to a 2-0 start after winning the WPIAL title and finishing as the PIAA runner-up in 2017.

Four downs: 1. Gateway has won nine straight in the series. Plum last beat Gateway in 2001 (34-7). The Gators won last year 48-14; 2. The Gators are not only the No. 1 team in WPIAL 5A, they are the top-ranked team in several state-wide polls, including Trib HSSN; 3. Davis, only in his second varsity season, has more than two dozen Division I scholarship offers, including ones from Penn State, Pitt, West Virginia and Ohio State; 4. Plum scored late against Franklin Regional to avoid the shutout last Friday. Hunter Linhart completed a 20-yard pass to Logan Phillips with 1:47 left.

Extra point: Linhart has thrown for 421 yards and four touchdowns through two weeks, while Gateway’s Brandon Majocha has 316 yards and four throwing TDs in his team’s wins over Penn-Trafford and Mt. Lebanon.

Class 5A Northern

Kiski Area (2-0, 1-0) at North Hills (2-0, 1-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday at Martorelli Stadium, West View

On the air: TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Last week: Kiski Area 31, Shaler 14; North Hills 42, Fox Chapel 24

Coaches: Sam Albert, Kiski Area; Pat Carey, North Hills

Top players: Jack Colecchi, Kiski Area (Sr., 6-2, 205, WR/DB); Tyler Brennan, North Hills (Sr., 6-1, 180, RB/WR/DB).

Keep an eye on: Ryne Wallace, Kiski Area (Sr., 6-5, 205, QB)

Momentum: North Hills is riding high after a 42-point effort against Fox Chapel.

Four downs: 1. Kiski Area is 2-0 for the first time since 2013. That year, the Cavaliers lost games three through five, but rebounded to make the playoffs; 2. Brennan has accounted for 10 total touchdowns (nine rush, one interception return) through two weeks; 3. Against Shaler, Wallace passed for 245 yards and tossed touchdowns of 55 and 42 yards to Colecchi; 4. In addition to Brennan’s big five-touchdown game against Fox Chapel, quarterback Dylan Pawling added a 22-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to seal the North Hills victory.

Extra point: Of the 21 5A teams to have played two games so far, North Hills ranks third in points per game (42), behind only McKeesport (51) and Baldwin (46).

No. 2 5A Penn Hills (2-0, 0-0) at Fox Chapel (0-2, 0-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Burke Stadium, Fox Chapel

Last week: Penn Hills 50, Latrobe 13; North Hills 42, Fox Chapel 24

Coaches: Jon LeDonne, Penn Hills; Tom Loughran, Fox Chapel

Top players: Corey Thomas Jr., Penn Hills (Sr., 6-3, 190, WR/SS); Cole Waxter, Fox Chapel (Sr., 5-7, 150, WR)

Keep an eye on: Daequan Hardy, Penn Hills (Sr., 5-10, 180, WR/CB)

Momentum: Penn Hills, a favorite to reach the WPIAL title game is 2-0 as conference play gets underway.

Four downs: 1. Despite the loss to North Hills, Fox Chapel quarterback Shane Susnak completed 22 of 29 passes for 225 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions; 2. Penn Hills was one of six 5A teams to not play a conference game in Week 1; 3. Fox Chapel is hoping to avoid an 0-3 start for the second time in three years. The Foxes went 0-5 to start 2016 but rallied to win its last five and almost made the playoffs; 4. Indians quarterback Hollis Mathis collected 366 yards of total offense and six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing) in the win over Latrobe

Extra point: Penn Hills is one of five teams to make the move to 5A this season. The Indians spent two seasons in 6A, and made the WPIAL semifinals before falling to Central Catholic.

Class 4A Northwest 8

No. 5 Blackhawk (2-0, 1-0) at Highlands (0-2, 0-0)

7 p.m. Friday at Golden Rams Stadium, Natrona Heights

Last week: Blackhawk 48, Knoch 12; Keystone Oaks 49, Highlands 42

Coaches: Zack Hayward, Blackhawk; Dom Girardi, Highlands

Top players: Kenny Gawley, Blackhawk (Sr., 5-11, 176, RB); Johnny Crise, Highlands (Jr., 6-7, 170, WR/CB)

Keep an eye on: Josh Butcher, Blackhawk (Jr., 5-9, 170, RB/LB)

Momentum: Blackhawk is the only team in 4A to have two games under its belt and own two victories. The Cougars make their debut in the TribHSSN top five this week.

Four downs: Crise came up huge despite last Friday’s loss as he caught 10 passes for 301 yards and five touchdowns; 2. Blackhawk is averaging 41 rushes and 251.5 yards through two games; 3. Highlands hopes to avoid an 0-3 start for the first time since 2012; 4. Blackhawk has scored 34.5 points over two games while surrendering just 9.5 a contest.

Extra point: Highlands won last year’s conference matchup 49-12.

Knoch (0-2, 0-1) at Beaver (1-1, 0-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday at Gypsy Glen Stadium, Beaver

On the air: 680 AM; TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Last week: Blackhawk 48, Knoch 12; South Fayette 35, Beaver 7

Coaches: Frank Whelan, Knoch; Jeff Beltz, Beaver

Top players: Chase Mullen, Knoch (Sr., 5-10, 160, QB/CB); Brodie List, Beaver (Sr., 6-3, 205, QB/LB)

Keep an eye on: Gino Mavero, Beaver (Sr., 5-6, 160, RB/LB)

Momentum: Beaver earned a Week Zero victory before falling in its conference opener last week.

Four downs: 1. Mullen threw for 105 yards and completed a 59-yard TD throw to Noah Cetnar in last week’s setback; 2. List is a returning starter at quarterback for Beaver after throwing for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017; 3. Knoch is hoping to avoid an 0-3 start for the first time since 2009; 4. Beaver made the move to 4A after winning nine games and making the WPIAL 3A semifinals last year.

Extra point: After Friday’s road game, its third straight to start the season, Knoch will return home Sept. 14 against conference rival Highlands.

Class 3A Big East

Burrell (0-2, 0-1) at Elizabeth Forward (1-0, 1-0)

7 p.m. Friday at Warrior Stadium, Elizabeth

Last week: North Catholic 41, Burrell 7; Elizabeth Forward 33, Deer Lakes 14

Coaches: Shawn Liotta, Burrell; Mike Collodi, Elizabeth Forward

Top players: Seth Fischbach, Burrell (Jr., 6-1, 190, WR/DB); Evan Lewis, Elizabeth Forward (So., 5-9, 180, RB/WR/CB)

Keep an eye on: Zack Benedek, Elizabeth Forward (Sr., 6-1, 190, QB)

Momentum: Elizabeth Forward rolls into Week 2 off of a solid defensive performance against Deer Lakes with two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a safety.

Four downs: 1. EF’s Benedek threw for 92 yards and a touchdown and added 91 rush yards and another score in the win over Deer Lakes; 2. Fischbach tallied Burrell’s lone score against North Catholic, a reception in the fourth quarter. He caught six passes for 40 yards; 3. Lewis complemented Benedek’s effort against Deer Lakes with 10 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown; 4. Burrell is hoping to snap an eight-game conference losing streak.

Extra point: Friday’s matchup is the first-ever meeting between Burrell and Elizabeth Forward.

Freeport (0-1, 0-1) at No. 2 North Catholic (2-0, 1-0)

7 p.m. Friday at Mars Athletic Complex, Mars

On the air: TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Last week: Derry 19, Freeport 13 (OT); North Catholic 41, Burrell 7

Coaches: John Gaillot, Freeport; Pat O’Shea, North Catholic

Top players: Austin Romanchak, Freeport (Sr., 5-10, 175, QB/WR/DB); Zack Rocco, North Catholic (Jr., 6-3, 215, QB/SS)

Keep an eye on: Isiah Bauman, Freeport (Jr., 6-1, 177, WR/DB)

Momentum: North Catholic averaged 45 points as it rolled to wins last Friday and in Week Zero.

Four downs: 1. Romanchak scored twice in last Friday’s OT loss to Derry with a TD reception from senior Patrick Keeley and an 80-yard kickoff return; 2. The Trojans’ combo of Rocco and wideout Tyree Brown connected three times for 142 yards and three touchdowns against Burrell; 3. Freeport lost star running back/linebacker Conor Selinger to a leg injury in the first half against Derry. His status for Friday’s game is day to day, Yellowjackets coach John Gaillot said; 4. North Catholic, behind just Aliquippa in the TribHSSN rankings, moved up in classification after winning 10 games and making the 2A quarterfinals in 2017.

Extra point: Freeport and North Catholic meet for the first time since 2003. The Yellowjackets won that matchup as part of a six-game winning streak to close the regular season after an 0-3 start.

Uniontown (0-2, 0-1) at Deer Lakes (0-1, 0-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Lancers Stadium, Cheswick

On the air: 590 AM, 101.1 FM; TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Last week: Yough 42, Uniontown 30; Elizabeth Forward 33, Deer Lakes 14

Coaches: Cedric Lloyd, Uniontown; Tim Burk, Deer Lakes.

Top players: Ky’Ron Craggette, Uniontown (So., 5-11, 210, RB); Aris Hasley, Deer Lakes (Jr., 5-7, 140, QB/FS)

Keep an eye on: Ethan Bender, Deer Lakes (Sr., 6-2, 185, WR/RB/SS)

Momentum: Both teams are coming off tough losses in their conference openers.

Four downs: 1. Hasley threw for 103 yards and added two rushing touchdowns against EF; 2. Uniontown’s Dom Richter returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last Friday and added a rushing score; 3. Deer Lakes senior wideout Jared Colton began his season last Friday with four catches for 67 yards; 4. Uniontown is hoping to snap an overall 14-game losing streak.

Extra point: This is the first meeting between the Uniontown and Deer Lakes football programs.

Nonconference

Apollo-Ridge (1-1) at Carlynton (1-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Honus Wagner Stadium, Carnegie

Last week: Apollo-Ridge 21, Summit Academy 0; Fort Cherry 20, Carlynton 14 (OT)

Coaches: John Skiba, Apollo-Ridge; Scott Yoder, Carlynton

Top players: Logan Harmon, Apollo-Ridge (So., 5-8, 205, RB/LB); Maclaine Greiner, Carlynton (Sr., 6-4, 225, QB)

Keep an eye on: Brad Milko, Apollo-Ridge (Sr., 6-0, 165, WR/DB)

Momentum: Apollo-Ridge is riding high after a shutout victory in Week 1.

Four downs: 1. Jake Fello threw only nine passes against Summit, but he tallied 115 yards and a touchdown. He added a 52-yard scoring run; 2. Carlynton’s Week Zero victory over Bishop Canevin snapped an overall 13-game losing streak dating back to 2016; 3. Will Richardson caught a touchdown and ran for another to account for Carlynton’s two scores against Fort Cherry. He finished with 122 rush yards; 4. The Vikings’ defense got into the scoring act last Saturday as Harmon scooped up a fumble and returned it 10 yards. He had two fumble recoveries as Apollo-Ridge forced four Summit turnovers.

Extra point: Carlynton scored as many points – 34 – in its Week Zero triumph as it did in its eight games combined (34) last season.

Leechburg (1-1) at Class A No. 5 Rochester (2-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday at Rochester Stadium, Rochester

Last week: Jeannette 38, Leechburg 0; Rochester 26, Laurel 14

Coaches: Mark George, Leechburg; Gene Matsook, Rochester

Top players: Dylan Cook, Leechburg (So., 5-11, 155, QB/DB); Darius Goosby, Rochester (Sr., 6-2, 195, TE/DE)

Keep an eye on: Jake Blumer (Jr., 6-2, 190, RB/LB)

Momentum: Rochester is off to a 2-0 start to the season and moved into the Trib HSSN rankings.

Four downs: 1. Leechburg hopes to move the ball Friday behind a line that features a quartet 270 pounds or greater; 2. Goosby earned the Big 7 Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017; 3. Blumer tallied 32 yards rushing to lead Leechburg against a quick and stingy Jeannette defense last Saturday. 4. Rochester is hoping to start 3-0 for the third consecutive season.

Extra point: This is the first-ever meeting between the Leechburg and Rochester football programs.

Springdale (0-1) at Monessen (1-0)

7 p.m. Friday at Monessen’s Memorial Stadium

Last week: Imani Christian 38, Springdale 0; Monessen 30, California 20

Coaches: Seth Napierkowski, Springdale; Mike Blainfield, Monessen

Top players: Christian Vokes, Springdale (Jr., 5-8, 140, RB/WR/DB); Dwayne Howell, Monessen (Jr., 6-2, 170, QB/DB)

Keep an eye on: Vaughan Taylor, Monessen (Sr., 5-11, 190, RB/LB)

Momentum: Monessen. The Greyhounds knocked off the defending conference champion Trojans. Cal beat Monessen, 53-0, last year.

Four downs: 1. The Greyhounds scored the final 16 points – all in the fourth quarter – to rally past the Trojans; 2. Springdale’s game with Imani Christian last Saturday afternoon was ended at halftime after high temperatures and humidity were taking their toll on both teams; 3. Monessen freshman Devin Whitlock factored into both fourth-quarter scores last Friday as he rushed for one and threw for the other. He ended the game with 12 carries for 110 yards; 4. Springdale’s offense was limited to 37 yards and committed five turnovers against Imani.

Extra point: A Week Zero matchup between Monessen and rival Charleroi was canceled because of a pregame threat made against Charleroi students.

Class 2A No. 4 Charleroi (1-0) at Riverview (0-1)

Noon Saturday at Riverside Park, Oakmont

On the air: TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Last week: Charleroi 64, Washington 33; Greensburg Central Catholic 35, Riverview 0

Coaches: Lance Getsy, Charleroi; Todd Massack, Riverview

Top players: Geno Pellegrini, Charleroi (Sr., 6-0, 170, QB/DB); Ben Blacksmith, Riverview (Sr., 6-0, 160, WR/DB).

Keep an eye on: Brayden Mihalcin, Charleroi (Jr., 5-10, 170, RB/DB)

Momentum: Charleroi is riding high after knocking off defending WPIAL 2A champion Washington and scoring 64 points in the process.

Four downs: 1. Pellegrini threw four touchdowns and ran for two others totaling 324 combined yards in the win over the Prexies; 2. Riverivew’s JD Sykes and Devon Binz combined for 114 rushing yards against GCC; 3. Brayden Mihalcin is a threat out of the backfield for Charleroi. He tallied 169 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries last Friday; 4. This is the first-ever meeting between the Charleroi and Riverview football teams.

Extra point: A Week Zero matchup between Charleroi and rival Monessen was canceled because of a pregame threat made against Charleroi students.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLove_Trib.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski School, Knoch, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale