Football

Leechburg’s Alex Stramaski practices Aug. 17, 2019, at Leechburg.
Leechburg searching for right combination at middle linebacker
August 18, 2019
The human heart has two ventricles. One side pumps blood into the lungs, and the other pumps blood into the aorta.

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Uniontown football team on quest to rebound from winless season
After a nightmarish winless season, Uniontown’s Cedric Lloyd is determined to get the Red Raiders program back on track.

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Freeport’s Brodey Woods eludes a tackle during a 7-on-7 game Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at Freeport High School.
Freeport hopes to reload for another playoff run
Last year, the Freeport football team came close to putting its stamp on a Class 3A Big East Conference championship.

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Yough’s C.J. Waldier (right) makes a play for the ball against Latrobe during the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
With Shoaf gone, Yough looks to spread the wealth on offense
Much to the chagrin of the Yough football program, the Dustin Shoaf era is over, and it’s time for new players to take the football and carry it into the future.

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Mt. Pleasant’s Jonas King makes a reception during the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Mt. Pleasant eyes return to winning ways
A stretch of productive seasons that began shortly after the turn of the century earned Mt. Pleasant repeated postseason trips before the Vikings’ fortunes went south the past two years.

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Derry’s Matt McDowell participates in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
WPIAL runner-up Derry turns focus to future after special season
Derry coach Tim Sweeney doesn’t like to look back. He’s all about the present.

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Deer Lakes’ Aris Hasley works out on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, at the high school.
Deer Lakes adopts ‘why not us?’ mantra in quest for playoff berth
Tim Burk is a Deer Lakes guy through and through, so he took great pride in watching the Lancers’ boys soccer team make a run to the state championship game and the boys basketball team win the first PIAA playoff game in school history and advance to the quarterfinals.

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North Catholic quarterback Zack Rocco reacts after a touchdown pass during a game against Freeport on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 at Mars High School stadium.
After near misses, North Catholic focused reaching championship game
When you come as close to playing for a championship as North Catholic football has only to see it slip away, it’s hard not to look back at the small moments that swayed the game.

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Burrell’s Seth Fishbaugh goes up for a pass during a 7-on-7 game Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at Freeport High School.
Burrell vows to ‘play fast,’ push the tempo
When the Burrell offense takes the field this season, don’t blink, because you might just miss the entire offensive series.

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From left are A-K Valley quarterbacks Alex Arledge (Burrell), Cayden Quinn (Valley), Garrett Schaffhauser (Freeport), Legend Ausk (Springdale) and Ryan Aber (Riverview).
New A-K Valley quarterbacks face challenge of leading their offenses
August 17, 2019
Quarterback is one of the most complicated positions in football, and it takes a special type of player to bear all of the responsibilities that make an offense successful.

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Ligonier Valley’s Michael Petrof (left) and Hempfield’s Fintan Brose, both linemen, pose for a portrait at Hempfield Area High School in Hempfield Township, on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019.
Westmoreland County linemen pass ‘the eye test’ in recruiting process
Ligonier Valley senior Michael Petrof has a photo of himself standing next to Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

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Fort Cherry pushes on after season-ending knee injury to starting QB
A lot of different factors influence where athletes line up for the Fort Cherry football team.

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Record-setting running back Goodlin returns to lead Knoch
At the end of last season, Knoch’s Matt Goodlin was alone at the top of the school’s single-season rushing leaderboard.

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Monessen’s Mark Mizerak works out during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019.
Monessen’s Mizerak ‘consummate student-athlete,’ earns college attention
Though his junior season doesn’t start until Friday, Monessen left tackle Mark Mizerak Jr. has been getting plenty of attention from college recruiters.

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Trinity looking to climb back into WPIAL football playoffs
Jon Miller is embarking on his fifth season as Trinity’s football coach.

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Thomas Jefferson’s Dan Deabner takes part in practice Aug. 6, 2019, at Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson focused on regaining title
New high school. New year. New rivalry.

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Laurel Highlands junior defensive end/offensive tackle Tanner Slavic during a July 18, 2019 7 on 7 competition at Connellsville High School.
New Laurel Highlands football coach Kolesar has steep hill to climb
The goal is simple for new Laurel Highlands coach Rick Kolesar.

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Indiana building for future around young players
Most would have forgiven Brandon Overdorff if his team didn’t make much noise last year. He took over the program just before the summer with barely enough time to learn all of his players’ names, let alone implement a system into a one-win team the year before.

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Beaver’s Joe Hammel works out during practice Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in Beaver.
Despite losing key starters, Beaver looks to keep building
Following an adjustment period, Beaver football hopes it is more acclimated to Class 4A football.

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Ambridge head coach Don Phllips works with his team during practice Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in Ambridge.
New Ambridge coach Phillips wants to boost interest, rebuild program
Don Phillips knew he was in for a challenge when he accepted the head coaching job at Ambridge. But that is what excites him.

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