Through the years: In ’83, Plum’s defense delivered WPIAL gold

By: George Guido
Thursday, November 23, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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.

Two safeties in the final 3 minutes, 44 seconds of play gave Plum its first and, to date, only WPIAL football title with a 10-6 victory over New Castle at Three Rivers Stadium on Nov. 28, 1983. The Mustangs defense yielded only 13 points over their last seven games.

100 years ago

• In the renewal of a fierce rivalry, Parnassus blanked Ken High, 9-0, at YMCA Field. Stein caught a touchdown pass and booted a 35-yard field goal for the Crimson and Grey in an era before schools adopted nicknames.

75 years ago

• East Deer, shooting for its second WPIAL crown in three seasons, was eliminated from title consideration by tying Hampton, 12-12. With the Bucks trying to run out the clock, a fumble at the Talbots 9 resulted in a touchdown by Jim Woods with 50 seconds to go.

• Vandergrift ended its season on a winning note with a 38-6 rout over Uniontown. Miles Willard and Tony Fantino scored two TDs each for the Blue Lancers.

60 years ago

• Freeport dropped a 29-12 decision to Montour in the WPIAL Class 2A title game before 8,630 fans at Jeannette’s McKee Stadium. Fullback Clyde Schneider scored three Spartans touchdowns, and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Ted Kwalick caught two conversion passes.

• In just its fourth year of existence, West Mifflin North copped the WPIAL Class 3A title with a 12-6 victory over Butler before 20,371 fans at Forbes Field, setting a WPIAL attendance mark. Karl Tribelhorn’s 11-yard pass to Bill Luksis off the fingertips of Butler defensive back Terry Hanratty proved to be the winner.

50 years ago

• Springdale brought home its third WPIAL football title with a 20-14 nailbiter over Union Area. Sam Sack, Larry Lutz and Mike Simcic scored in the first half to give the Dynamos a 20-0 lead. Sack picked off two Scotties passes in the final four minutes to preserve the victory. To date, it is the only title game played at Thomas Jefferson.

40 years ago

• Riverview’s season came to an end with a 41-16 loss to Frazier in the Class A semifinals. Current Hampton boys basketball coach Joe Lafko booted five PATs for the Commodores.

25 years ago

• Highlands secured the first football playoff victory in school history with a 21-11 decision over West Allegheny. Jarrod Sleppy intercepted two passes for the Golden Rams off Indians freshman Tyler Palko.

• Defending WPIAL Class A champion Riverview advanced to the semifinal round with a 28-13 quarterfinal over South Side. Lucas Heakins gained 99 rushing yards to eclipse the 4,000 mark for his career, and Will Anderson added 137 yards on the ground.

10 years ago

• Sto-Rox quarterback Lenny Williams proved to be too much for Apollo-Ridge in a 42-20 quarterfinal victory at Deer Lakes’ Lancers Stadium. Williams passed for 301 yards and three touchdowns, ran for 74 yards and two more TDs and intercepted a pass on defense.