Sports
CTK 2013 – WPIAL 2012 Quad-A Football Flashback
August 3, 2013
North Allegheny capped off a three-peat in perfect fashion. The Tigers became the first school to win three straight WPIAL Quad-A championships by going undefeated and capping off their historic run with a PIAA state championship. we don't know if the run as ended for NA, but we do know 2012 was the end of three great coaching runs as Jack McCurry retired at North Hills, Clair Altemus retired at Pine-Richland and Terry Smith took a college coaching job after turning his alma-mater Gateway into a perennial power in Class AAAA this past decade.2012 WPIAL Quad-A Football Regular Season Standings:# - Clinched at least a share of the conference title * - Clinched playoff spot x - Eliminated from playoff chaseCTK 2013 – New High School Football Rules for 2013
A good way to kick off the high school football season is with a look at the rules and especially the rule changes for the 2013 season.Two of the biggest changes involve pass interference and enforcement of the penalty. When the defensive team commits the foul, it is not necessarily a first down. While it is still a 15 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and replay the down, the offensive team must make the sticks to be awarded a first down. For example, it is third down and 22 for the offensive at the opponents 45, after a pass interference penalty against the defense, it will now be third down and 7 from the 30 yard line as the penalty yardage was not enough to make the sticks.CTK 2013 – New WPIAL Football Head Coaches
August 2, 2013
New Faces - New Places - New Hopes - New Dreams. While there was one fewer coaching change this off-season then before the 2012 campaign, there are many big name and legendary coaches who will be missing from the sidelines this upcoming season. Gone are long-time successful coaches Jack McCurray, Clair Altemus, Terry Smith, John Menhart and Bob Jacoby while one championship winning coach has come back-to-the-future. There are a lot of rookie head coaches getting their first crack, and some coaches who are just changing hats and addresses. In all, there 26 coaching changes that began days after the 2012 season ended and concluded with the last hiring last month. Here are the new football coaches that will be running the sidelines in the WPIAL this fall.CTK 2013 – 7:00pm Kickoffs in WPIAL
There are 125 schools in the WPIAL that field a high school football team and 119 of them play a majority of their home games on a Friday night. While there are still a good number of teams that kickoff at the 'traditional' time of 7:30pm, for the first time ever, that number is in the minority. in 2013, 65 schools will kickoff their home football games at 7:00pm. Here is a list of schools that will get the thirty minute head start on Friday nights.CLASS AAAA Foothills:Altoona Mountain LionsConnellsville FalconsHempfield SpartansMcKeesport TigersCLASS AAAA Northern Eight:Fox Chapel FoxesCLASS AAAA Southeastern:Plum MustangsCOUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF 2013
July 31, 2013
The countdown to the start of the 2013 high school football season is underway. High School football training camps throughout Western Pennsylvania open up on Monday, August 12th as teams prepare for a new season starting Friday, August 30th and Saturday, August 31st. As has been the case in the fourteen previous years here at MSA Sports, the ONLY place to turn for original DAILY updates that help prepare fans for all the excitement of the 2013 high school football season in the WPIAL is 'Countdown to Kickoff 2013' ONLY here at www.msasports.netALL UPDATED:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/31/2013
Sure, we have plenty of baseball with both youth and pro diamond action as the month melts from July to August, but we start up a tradition like no other as well this week here on the MSA Sports Network. The Washington Wild Things begin the week at home before hitting the road for a short 3-game set, then returning to CONSOL Energy Park this weekend. We also have the start of the American Legion Baseball State Championships and the news from the world of auto racing with Rappin on Racin, plus with a pair of shows Tuesday from Kennywood Park, we begin our annual preparation for the upcoming high school football season with Countdown to Kickoff 2013 ALL here ONLY at MSAsports.netMonday, July 29th:TALK SHOW - Rappin on Racin at 6:00pm on MSAsports.netWPIAL Recruiting: New Castle’s Hooker Commits to Ohio State
July 30, 2013
One of the WPIAL’s top football recruits has made his decision. New Castle’s Malik Hooker chose football over basketball a couple of months ago and now he'll take his skills to Columbus, accepting a scholarship offer from Ohio State University on Monday.Hooker is also one of the top basketball players in the WPIAL, playing on two championship teams for the Red Hurricanes in his sophomore and junior seasons, averaging 16.7 points in 2012-13. The senior did not play football until last season, he immediately produced and caught the eye of several college programs, scoring eleven touchdowns and averaged over 9 yards per carry and 25 yards per catch.WPIAL Recruiting: USC’s Blair Commits to Pitt
July 28, 2013
This 'Cat may be changing colors, but he's not changing his stripes. The great comeback story of Upper St. Clair senior Rori Blair continued when he announced he would be going from the Upper St. Clair Panthers this fall to the Pitt Panthers next fall. Blair made a verbal commitment to the University of Pittsburgh on Friday after his family met with Pitt head coach Paul Chryst.The decision for the 6-3, 225-pound tight end/defensive end continues an incredible comeback that began with a near death experience 15 months ago.Two Former WPIAL Football Stars Transfer to New Colleges
A pair of WPIAL football stars from the last two high school football seasons have officially transferred to different schools. Both Rushel Shell, a 2012 graduate of Hopewell High School and Chavas Rawlins, a 2013 graduate of Monessen High School are coming and going from West Virginia University.The WPIAL and PIAA's all-time leading rusher ends what turned out to be a tumultuous five months in which he left the University of Pittsburgh, enrolled at UCLA, decided against playing his college ball in California, had Pitt close the door on his chances to return and now will sit out this fall and have three years of eligibility left in Morgantown.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/23/2013
July 23, 2013
We have plenty of baseball, both youth and pro diamond action as the month of July winds down this week here on the MSA Sports Network. The Washington Wild Things begin the week at home for three games at CONSOL Energy Park before heading out on the road for a brief 3-game trip to Southern Illinois, plus we have the start of the American Legion Baseball Western Regionals and there is plenty of local, regional and national news from the world of auto racing with Rappin on Racin ALL here ONLY at MSAsports.netMonday, July 22nd: TALK SHOW - Rappin on Racin at 6:00pm on MSAsports.netPro Baseball: Frontier League - Rockford Aviators vs Washington Wild Things at 7:05pm on WJPA-FM 95.3Tuesday, July 23rd:West Edges East in 2013 Frontier League All-Star Game
July 18, 2013
En route to their first victory in two years, the West used a big second inning to capture a 4-2 nail-biter against the East All-Stars at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington, Pa and here on MSA Sports on Wednesday.The game featured outstanding pitching by both teams and an electrifying finish line that saw the East nearly rally to win the mid-summer classic.In the top of the second frame, Tuesday night’s home run derby champion and Schaumburg Boomers Steve McQuail scored on a fielder’s choice from teammate Michael Valadez. Outfielder Sean Mahley also of the Boomers tripled to add two more runs for the West, scoring Valadez and Schwartz to give the West a 3-0 advantage.2012-2013 WPIAL Champions on Parade
July 16, 2013
We celebrated America's Birthday earlier this month with various parades and fireworks. You'll forgive us if we celebrate the 2012-2013 school year with just a parade and no pyrotechnics. It was been another great high school sports year in District 7 of the PIAA. All of us here at the MSA Sports Network and Management Science Associates thank our sponsors and fans for their support during the school year. As we get ready for another great scholastic campaign in 2013-2014, we look back at all the WPIAL team champions on parade from this past school year.Football:Class AAAA - North Allegheny TigersClass AAA - West Allegheny IndianaClass AA - Aliquippa QuipsClass A - Clairton BearsTop WPIAL Baseball Player Makes College Choice
One of the most dominant pitchers to come out of the WPIAL in recent years has made his college choice. Soon to be senior Brendan McKay, a left handed pitcher from Blackhawk High School who has been frustrating opponents since his freshman year three years ago, has decided to play his college baseball at the University of Louisville.McKay, who hopes to be drafted high in the 2014 Major League Baseball first-year player draft next June, selected Louisville over scholarship offers from West Virginia, Tennessee, Wake Forest, Virginia, Virginia Teach and Kent State among others. He has twice been named to the MSA Sports Diamond Studs baseball all-star team.Washington Wild Things Host 2013 Frontier League All-Star Game
The Washington Wild Things and CONSOL ENERGY PARK will play host to the Frontier League’s signature events, the 2013 All-Star Game Wednesday night starting at 7:05pm and can be heard here on the MSA Sports Network.The All-Star Festivities will feature a softball clinic and exhibition softball game with the Akron Racers, a professional women’s softball team, the Home Run Derby contest, a community activity with Habitat for Humanity , a luncheon with keynote speaker Steve Blass, the 2013 Frontier League All-Star Game and much, much more.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/15/2013
July 15, 2013
It's All-Star Game week in the Frontier League as the spotlight and the stars shine on Washington, Pa this week here on the MSA Sports Network. CONSOL Energy Park will host the 2013 Frontier League All-Star Game followed by the Washington Wild Things hosting the Schaumburg Boomers this weekend, plus there is plenty of local, regional and national news from the world of auto racing with Rappin on Racin ALL here ONLY at MSAsports.netMonday, July 15th:TALK SHOW - Rappin on Racin at 6:00pm on MSAsports.netTuesday, July 16th:No BroadcastsWednesday, July 17th:Pro Baseball: 2013 Frontier League All-Star Game - West vs East at 7:05pm on WJPA-FM 95.3Thursday, July 18th:This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/10/2013
July 10, 2013
The Frontier League pro baseball action heats up as the first half of the regular season winds down this week here on the MSA Sports Network. The Washington Wild Things are at home for three against Lake Erie before hitting the road this weekend for the final series before the all-star break at Florence, plus there is plenty of local, regional and national news from the world of auto racing with Rappin on Racin ALL here ONLY at MSAsports.netMonday, July 8th:TALK SHOW - Rappin on Racin at 6:00pm on MSAsports.netTuesday, July 9th:Pro Baseball: Frontier League - Lake Erie Crushers vs Washington Wild Things at 7:05pm on WJPA-FM 95.3Wednesday, July 10th:Budget Concerns Lead to Sto-Rox Diamond Cuts
July 1, 2013
School district budget cuts have led to Sto-Rox High School dropping its baseball and softball programs for the upcoming school year. While the district is looking for a co-op with another school district for both programs, returning baseball and softball players can either move to another district, attend a private school or just not play next spring.Officials said there was talk about eliminating the entire athletic department before a proposal to just drop the two spring sports was passed on an 8-1 vote by the school board. Also part of the district wide cuts were eight teaching jobs and the school librarian.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 07/01/2013
The first full week of the month of July continues to focus on pro baseball here on the MSA Sports Network. The Washington Wild Things hit the road for a week-long Frontier League series as they travel to Gateway and Evansville, plus there is plenty of news from the world of auto racing with Rappin on Racin ALL here ONLY at MSAsports.netMonday, July 1st:TALK SHOW - Rappin on Racin at 6:00pm on MSAsports.net Tuesday, July 2nd:Pro Baseball: Frontier League - Washington Wild Things vs Gateway Grizzlies at 8:05pm on WJPA-FM 95.3
2012-2013 MSA Sports Male Athlete of the Year – DEVIN WILSON
June 28, 2013
Devin Wilson likes to debate many topics and hopes to be a lawyer someday. As for the mystery of who is the best male athlete in the WPIAL, Wilson took the case and built a mountain of evidence for himself.
2012-2013 MSA Sports Female Athlete of the Year – SHATORI WALKER-KIMBROUGH
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough’s favorite athlete is LeBron James. “It’s actually an obsession with him,” Walker-Kimbrough said with a laugh. “My neighbors hate when the Heat plays on TV.” But while Walker-Kimbrough looks up to James, she is sort of like her idol in one way. James is king of the NBA and Walker-Kimbrough is the queen of WPIAL female athletes – again.
