Football
With disruptive defense, New Castle looks to extend playoff streak
August 31, 2020
Edge rushers Jaylan Cox and Allen Bradley make coach Joe Cowart optimistic about how disruptive New Castle’s defense could be this season.
Westmoreland County high school notebook: Ligonier Valley adds 2 new opponents to football schedule
When Ligonier Valley joined the WPIAL, it was eager to play new opponents.
Central Catholic returns 2,000-yard rusher but QB job remains 5-way battle
Central Catholic has five guys competing to play quarterback, and whoever wins the job will practice handing the football to Eddy Tillman.
Strong junior class has Mt. Lebanon coach Bob Palko optimistic in Year 2
Mt. Lebanon coach Bob Palko had 14 sophomores earn a varsity letter in his first season with the Blue Devils.
Veteran Seneca Valley team out to even the score
Since the expansion to six classifications throughout the state four years ago, even years have been very good for the Seneca Valley football program.
Hempfield looks to stay healthy in 2020
Ninth-year coach Rich Bowen wonders what might have been last year had his Hempfield Spartans not been ravaged by injuries early in the season.
Carmichaels returns to Class A with new coach, momentum
August 29, 2020
When Ron Gallagher was promoted to the head coach position at Carmichaels in January, he took over a program with momentum.
Jefferson-Morgan looking to find swagger, end playoff drought
The Jefferson-Morgan football team has some players who might turn some heads as they step off the bus this season.
Young Mapletown roster making push to improve
As Mapletown coach George Messich and his staff gathered at his home on Friday nights last season, watching video of the game their team just played, a thought often occurred to them.
Numbers up at Monessen, but Greyhounds are young
Rumblings about Monessen possibly folding its proud football program because of low roster numbers were quickly stamped out when Shane Swope was hired during the winter to lead the Greyhounds.
Running back tandem of Hough, Livingston to bring thunder for Beaver Falls offense
August 28, 2020
When it comes to describing a running back tandem, most football coaches normally stick with the age-old phrase of “Thunder and Lighting.”
Line leads Laurel in quest for elusive playoff berth
It’s not the kind of distinction any football team would want to earn, but Laurel is one of the top candidates all the same.
Led by returning offensive line, Riverside to rely on ground game
The Riverside Panthers shocked the WPIAL last season when they made a surprising run through the Class 2A playoffs.
Entering school’s 2nd decade, Central Valley looks to add to loaded trophy case
August 26, 2020
What a great first decade of existence for the Central Valley football team.
Ambridge works to get up to speed before season-opener
Veteran football coach Don Phillips had a quick response when asked of his biggest concern entering the 2020 season, his second at the helm at Ambridge.
Improvements in strength, conditioning to be key for Hopewell
Hopewell was a first-half football team a year ago. The Vikings came out strong each game with energy, excitement and the competitive juices flowing.
After thriving in 2A, Burgettstown looks like big fish in Class A pond
August 25, 2020
For nine weeks in the 2019 football season, Burgettstown was the class of 2A.
Cornell restocks shelves after breakout season
Cornell took a break from competing in football in the WPIAL in 2012.
Northgate aims to end lengthy losing streak
Northgate had a young roster last year when it struggled and finished winless.
Late-season surge breeds optimism at Rochester
Small school football programs go through ups and downs.
