Football

Moon head coach Ryan Linn talks with his team after practice on Aug. 3, 2021, in Moon.

Top-ranked Moon edges Peters Township to stay undefeated

October 9, 2021

The difference between the first half and the second half of the Moon at Peters Township Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference football game was night and day.

Hampton’s inside linebacker Jayden Resch plays against Greensburg Salem on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, at Hampton High School.

Resch provides physical, intelligent presence in middle of Hampton defense

Hampton’s Jacque DeMatteo has sought two traits in his middle linebacker during 22 seasons as a WPIAL football coach.

Fox Chapel’s Collin Dietz leads the Foxes offense.

Fox Chapel football team leans on Dietz, balanced offense

There’s no doubt Fox Chapel’s had one of the toughest football schedules around over the first seven games of the season.

Aliquippa quarterback Quentin Goode throws a pass during practice on Aug. 17, 2021, in Aliquippa.

No. 3 Aliquippa cruises past Chartiers Valley in Parkway Conference clash

A fast start propelled third-seeded Aliquippa to a 48-13 victory in a WPIAL Class 4A Parkway Conference showdown at Chartiers Valley on Friday night.

Belle Vernon quarterback Devin Whitlock eluides the Ringgold defense on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021.

Belle Vernon fends off Ringgold upset bid

The rains came at the start of the second half, and then lightning followed on the third possession after halftime Friday night at Joe Montana Stadium.

Elizabeth Forward’s Kyle Flournoy carries the ball against South Allegheny on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021.

Elizabeth Forward capitalizes on South Allegheny mistakes in Interstate victory

Elizabeth Forward used a number of South Allegheny miscues to take a commanding three-score lead after the first 10 minutes Friday night and cruised to a 36-7 win over its WPIAL Class 3A Interstate Conference rivals at Glassport Memorial Stadium.

OLSH quarterback Neimiah Azeem hands off to Stephen Greer during practice on Aug. 3, 2021, in Clinton.

WPIAL Class A roundup: No. 2 OLSH edges Union in double overtime

Stephen Greer scored on a 6-yard run in overtime to cap No. 2 OLSH’s 37-36 comeback win against Union (5-1, 3-1) in the WPIAL Class A Big Seven Conference on Friday night.

Laurel running back Luke McCoy works out during practice on Aug. 4, 2021.

WPIAL Class 2A roundup: No. 4 Laurel stays undefeated with win over New Brighton

Luke McCoy ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 47-yard scoring pass as No. 4 Laurel scored a 42-7 victory over New Brighton (2-5, 1-3) in the WPIAL Class 2A Midwestern Athletic Conference on Friday night.

Montour’s Caleb Williams carries during practice on Aug. 18, 2021, in Robinson.

WPIAL Class 4A roundup: Williams helps Montour to victory over Blackhawk

Caleb Williams ran for 263 yards and two touchdowns to lead Montour past Blackhawk, 28-27, in a WPIAL Class 4A Parkway Conference game Friday night.

Bethel Park head coach Brian Delallo looks on during a 7 on 7 high school football tournament Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at Bethel Park.

WPIAL Class 5A roundup: Bethel Park rolls past No. 4 South Fayette

Troy Volpatti rushed for 181 yards and three touchdowns to lead Bethel Park to a 27-7 win over No. 4 South Fayette (4-3, 0-2) in the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference on Friday night.

Freeport gets set to face East Allegheny on Oct. 8, 2021, at Freeport.

Freeport picks apart East Allegheny, earns conference victory

October 8, 2021

At halftime, the Freeport band played the Dolly Parton classic “Jolene” in their set.

Latrobe’s Drake Clayton attempts to run the ball against Mt. Pleasant defense Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe.

Brownsville-Mt. Pleasant football game canceled

The Brownsville at Mt. Pleasant football game scheduled for Friday night has been canceled and will be ruled a no contest by the WPIAL.

Greensburg Salem girls soccer coach Jessica Melodia, a PIAA football referee

Westmoreland football notebook: Greensburg Salem girls soccer coach among WPIAL’s top refs

October 7, 2021

Jessica Melodia played for the Pittsburgh Passion women’s football team from 2015-17. When she “retired,” a void was left in her life.

North Hills quarterback John Green scrambles to pass during a game against Moon on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, at Moon Area High School.

Trib HSSN football players to watch for 2021 Week 6

Here are four WPIAL high school football players to watch in Week 6:

Central Catholic’s Matthew Petruzzi Jr. (34) and Keith Cushenberry celebrate on defense during their game against North Allegheny on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at North Allegheny High School.

Chick’s Picks’ crystal ball is better for picking HS football games than finding missing eagles

Welcome to Week 6.

Deer Lakes senior Jordan Fragapane heads for the end zone against West Shamokin on Oct. 7, 2011. The 40-14 victory was the first for the Lancers on the season and the 40th consecutive loss by West Shamokin set a new WPIAL record.

Through the years: 10 years ago, West Shamokin sets futility record

Each week throughout the high school football season, the Valley News Dispatch will take a look back at the games, players and events that are part of local scholastic history.