Football

Bethel Park’s Ja Vaughn Moore carries during the second quarter against Mt. Lebanon on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at Bethel Park.

This week on Trib HSSN for week of Oct. 9, 2023

October 8, 2023

The three-week stretch run of the high school football regular season kicks off this weekend on the TribLive High School Sports Network.

Penn Hills’ Cam Thomas tries to break up a pass intended for Pine-Richland’s Vasilios Balouris on Sept. 8.

Cam Thomas works to secure his place on long list of great Penn Hills defensive backs

Penn Hills defensive back Cam Thomas has two legacies he is trying to live up to. He wants to be another one of the next great defensive backs in school history. Thomas also wants to maintain the family tradition of excelling on defense as well.

Burgettstown coach Mark Druga works with his team during a preseason practice.

High school roundup for Oct. 7, 2023: Zack Schrockman boosts Burgettstown past OLSH

October 7, 2023

Zack Schrockman’s second touchdown of the game, a 2-yard TD run with 5:21 to play, powered Burgettstown to a 19-13 victory over OLSH in a Class A Black Hills Conference game Saturday.

Quarterback Jonah Williamson helped Trinity beat Thomas Jefferson for the first time since 1987.

5 things we learned in high school football Week 6: Trinity finds diamond with signature win

There’s a popular meme that shows two miners digging for diamonds, but one gives up within inches of striking it rich.

Deer Lakes’ Zier Williams looks for room to run toward the sideline against Valley on Friday.

A-K Valley football notebook: Deer Lakes streaks into matchup with East Allegheny

The Deer Lakes football team won its fifth game of the season Friday night and evened its Allegheny 6 Conference record at 1-1.

Plum’s Olivia Bigger works against Franklin Regional’s Eden Williams during their game on Sept. 18, 2023, in Murryville.

Plum sophomore girls soccer player steps into Bigger role with football team

One day a couple of years ago, Olivia Bigger was delivering soccer kicks toward a goal from about the 40-yard line.

The North Allegheny football team waits to take the field before a game against Central Catholic on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in McCandless.

North Allegheny shakes off rivalry loss, focuses on future

North Allegheny’s football stadium was filled nearly to capacity for a hyped-up game with rival Central Catholic. There was an electric atmosphere in the crowd, yet the Tigers ended the night feeling drained after a lopsided loss.

Belle Vernon’s Braden Laux hands off to Tanner Moody in their game against Greensburg Salem on Oct. 6, 2023, at Belle Vernon.

Belle Vernon eases to blowout against Greensburg Salem

October 6, 2023

Behind a career night from quarterback Braden Laux, Belle Vernon was able to cruise to a lopsided win Friday over visiting Greensburg Salem on The Beach at James Weir Stadium.

Penn-Trafford hosts Gateway in the Battle for the Victory Bell on Oct. 6, 2023, at Warrior Stadium in Harrison City.

Gateway holds off Penn-Trafford to win ‘Battle of the Bell’

Those looking for the Gateway and Penn-Trafford offenses to light up the scoreboard had to wait a while Friday night.

Southmoreland’s Wyatt Richter (25) and Cameron Phillips (14) bring down South Allegheny’s Cameron Epps (4) on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, at Southmoreland High School.

Southmoreland ends 3-game losing streak with win over South Allegheny

On a night when Ty Keffer joined Maddie Brown as Southmoreland’s homecoming king and queen, Keffer caught three touchdown passes from quarterback Kadin Keefer to help lead the Scotties to a 42-20 Interstate Conference win over South Allegheny.

Deer Lakes’ Wayne Love (right) and Ryan Cochran celebrate a touchdown against Valley on Friday.

Deer Lakes uses fast start to roll past Valley

Deer Lakes wasted no time getting on the board in its Allegheny 6 Conference matchup with Valley on Friday at Lancers Stadium.

Shady Side Academy forfeits football game against Knoch

Shady Side Academy has forfeited Friday night’s football game against Knoch because of an illness among “several players,” the school announced hours before kickoff.

Peters Township linebacker Reston Lehman celebrates after defeating South Fayette in 2022.

‘Outside of the box’ defense has Peters Township ranked No. 1 in WPIAL 5A

Peters Township’s T.J. Plack is an offensive-minded head coach of a high-scoring team that averages five touchdowns a week, yet he raves about a defense he calls special.

Central Catholic’s Elijah Faulkner celebrates his second touchdown with Samuel Brackney during their game against North Allegheny on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in McCandless.

Trib 10: Class 3A team makes power rankings debut

October 4, 2023

Following a week of major shuffling among the top WPIAL football teams, including a change at No. 1 after Week 5, things settled down with only one change near the bottom of the Trib 10 this week.