A-K Valley high school football matchups for 2023 Week Zero

By: Bill Hartlep
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | 6:03 PM

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Nonconference

Apollo-Ridge at Leechburg

7 p.m. Friday, Veterans Stadium, Leechburg

Last year’s meeting: Apollo-Ridge 34, Leechburg 28

Apollo-Ridge gained bragging rights last season when the rivalry renewed after a two-year hiatus. Can the Vikings collect 530 yards of offense this time around? … Apollo-Ridge has a young roster, but senior QB Karter Schorck returns after an injury-laden junior campaign. Senior Alex Wurmb steps in for graduated RB Nick Curci. … QB Jayden Floyd made his first start in this matchup a year ago, throwing for 151 yards and two scores. The junior, who threw for 1,300 yards and 17 TDs in 2022, will lead the Blue Devils offense after the graduation of RB Braylan Lovelace.

Fox Chapel at Peters Township

7 p.m. Friday, Confluence Financial Partners Stadium, Peters Township

Last year’s meeting: Peters Township 56, Fox Chapel 0

Peters Township has aspirations of a conference title in the Allegheny Six, whereas Fox Chapel is looking to recover after a winless 2022. … The Foxes are under the guidance of new coach Dave Leasure and return QB Ben DeMotte, who threw for nearly 1,200 yards a year ago. … Peters Township returns the bulk of its starting lineup, including QB Chris Cibrone, who threw for almost 2,000 yards and 19 scores.

Freeport at Indiana

7 p.m. Friday, Andy Kuznieski Stadium, Indiana

Last year’s meeting: Freeport 28, Indiana 8

Freeport is looking to get its inexperienced lineup some work, and Indiana hopes to rebound after a 3-7 season. … Bolstered by senior linemen Brady Paga and Isaac Woods, Freeport is breaking in plenty of new skill players on offense. WR/DB Brady Sullivan will be a key playmaker on both sides of the ball. … Indiana returns quarterback Trevor Smith, who engineered come-from-behind victories in consecutive weeks early last season. WR Jimmy Mill was an all-conference pick last season.

Hampton at Knoch

7 p.m. Friday, Knights Stadium, Saxonburg

Last year’s meeting: Hampton 48, Knoch 0

Playing on its shiny new turf, Knoch will look for a different result than last year’s season-opening shutout that led to a 1-9 record. … Brock Borgo is back at running back for Hampton after piling up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. The defense is led by DE Gabe Gannelli, who had 13 sacks in 2022. … Knoch will look to returning QB Codi Mullen (school-record 1,660 yards, 10 TDs) to lead a group of eight returning starters on offense.

Highlands at Ambridge

7 p.m. Friday, Moe Reubenstein Stadium, Ambridge

Last year’s meeting: DNP

Both teams have playoff aspirations thanks to experienced rosters. …The Golden Rams expect some offensive fireworks with Aaran Randolph at quarterback and Luke Bombalski in the backfield. Highlands shut out Ambridge, 33-0, the last time these teams played in 2019. … Ambridge returns nine starters on both sides of the ball after going 2-8 last year, including versatile WR Adam Fernandez. Junior AJ Gerace takes over under center. The roster also is up from past years and has 49 players under third-year coach Sherm McBride.

Jeannette at Burrell

7 p.m. Friday, Buccaneer Stadium, Lower Burrell

Last year’s meeting: Burrell 31, Jeannette 10

After Burrell won for the first time at McKee Stadium since 1993 last year, Jeannette will look for payback on the road. Burrell rushed the ball 50 times in that win. The Bucs are looking for the program’s 300th win. … Devin Beattie is the centerpiece of the Bucs’ running game after piling up over 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior. … Jeannette, which is tied with Aliquippa for the most wins in WPIAL history (770), will be led by senior quarterback Payton Molter, senior running back/slot receiver Noah Sanders and a young supporting cast.

Keystone Oaks at Deer Lakes

7 p.m. Friday, Lancers Stadium, West Deer

Last year’s meeting: Keystone Oaks 19, Deer Lakes 7

Keystone Oaks used last year’s win as momentum to a 3-1 start. Deer Lakes would like to start better than 0-2 like in 2022. … Keystone Oaks has high expectations with seven starters back on both sides of the ball after finishing 9-3. QB/DB Clinton Robinson is a Syracuse recruit. … Derek Burk is back for his fourth year under center. He threw for 1,426 yards and nine scores last season.

Ligonier Valley at Springdale

7 p.m., Friday, Veterans Memorial Field, Springdale

Last year’s meeting: Ligonier Valley 48, Springdale 0

This is a game that features twins on both squads: John and Mark Jablunovsky of Ligonier Valley and Colton and Calen Gent from Springdale. This is also a role reversal. Last year, Springdale had three seniors and a lot of inexperience. Ligonier Valley has only one senior this season. … Ligonier Valley (8-3) looks to use a wing-T offense highlighted by the Jablunovskys. … The Dynamos will rely on senior quarterback Chase Weihrauch, senior linebacker Noah Bradley and the Gents.

Riverview at Beth-Center

7 p.m. Friday, Beth-Center Stadium, Frederiktown

Last year’s meeting: Beth-Center 29, Riverview 15

Both teams have goals of improving after sub-.500 seasons, and a Week Zero win could spark momentum. … Riverview boasts a 52-player roster, rare for a Class A school. The Raiders will rely on QB Rocco Cecere (610 yards) and RB Carlo Buzzatto (1,021 yards) on offense. … The Bulldogs rushed for 176.4 yards per game last season but will be without RB Ethan Varesko, who was suspended for the first two games after being ejected in the 2022 season finale. Beth-Center coach Anthony Ruscitto, 82, has 48 years of coaching experience, including stops at California, South Allegheny and Sto-Rox.

Valley at Armstrong

7 p.m. Friday, NexTier Stadium, Manor Township

Last year’s meeting: Armstrong 42, Valley 7

New Valley coach Mark Adams is looking to turn around a program that went 1-9 last season, whereas Armstrong will have a different look this season after QB Cadin Olsen — a 3,000-yard passer last year — graduated. … On offense, Valley will rely on Tristin Goodwin, who is moving from QB to RB, as well as WR Darnell Coaston and quarterback Mason Simmons. … Armstrong has turned over the keys to the offense to sophomore Colt Sprankle and freshman Jaydon Oliver under center. Their top target is Isiah Brown, who had 50 catches and 19 TDs last season.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Ambridge, Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Beth-Center, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Hampton, Highlands, Indiana, Keystone Oaks, Knoch, Leechburg, Peters Township, Riverview, Springdale, Valley