Through the years: Freeport revved up ground game to beat Burrell in 2018

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 12, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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

Freeport rushed for 350 yards and held Burrell to less than 100 total yards as the Yellowjackets knocked off the Bucs, 48-3, on Oct. 12, 2018. Austin Romanchak ran for three Freeport touchdowns, and Conor Selinger added two.

75 years ago

• Har-Brack ran its record to 5-1 with a 7-0 victory over Penn Hills at Rosedale Field. Martin Crytzer’s 51-yard interception return set up an 8-yard pass from Bob Sawhook to Frank Stanoski for the game-winner.

• Johnny Minarcin’s 20-yard pick-6 and a 6-yard run by Tony Fantino led Vandergrift to a 14-6 victory over Ellwood City.

60 years ago

• Area scoring leader Chip Young padded his lead with three TDs to pace undefeated Freeport to a 28-12 win over Springdale.

• Saltsburg’s 37-game losing streak finally ended as the Trojans downed Laurel Valley, 13-6. At the time, it was the longest losing streak in Pennsylvania history.

50 years ago

• J.R. Siwicki’s 31-yard field goal with 3 minutes, 33 seconds to go lifted Deer Lakes to a 17-14 victory over Mars.

• A blocked punt by Karl Boone led to Highlands sophomore Tim Collins pouncing on a loose football in the end zone. It was the start of a 28-8 Golden Rams win over North Hills.

40 years ago

• Knoch’s A.J. Pagano ran for 176 yards, scored a pair of touchdowns and booted four PATs as the Knights hammered Franklin Regional, 34-8, in Murrysville.

• Riverview shut out Bishop Boyle, 28-0, as Bobby Shoop ran 41 and 26 yards for touchdowns and tossed a 10-yarder to Fred Soilis. Shoop was the defensive backs coach for the 2023 USFL champion Birmingham Stallions.

25 years ago

• Valley’s Mike Martin led the way with touchdown runs of 65 and 88 yards as the Vikings pounded Pine-Richland, 46-6, at Ozzie Santacroce Stadium.

• Burrell remained undefeated in conference play with a 22-7 decision at Hampton. Kirk Rhoades, Dane Park and Mike Carson accounted for the Bucs touchdowns.

10 years ago

• Kiski Area secured a playoff berth with a 34-14 victory over Penn-Trafford. Patrick Turner and Chad Kuhn rushed for two TDs apiece.

• Leechburg knocked off Riverview, 31-22, behind two touchdowns each from Alex Kalmar and Kris Smith.

Five years ago

• Riverview forced five Springdale turnovers, including a 3-yard pick-6 by Nick Palmiere, as the Raiders blanked the Dynamos, 18-0.

Tags: Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Riverview, Springdale, Valley