Through the years: Springdale won frigid playoff game in ’73

By: George Guido
Thursday, November 16, 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.

With the wind chill in single digits at Kittanning High Field on Nov. 9, 1973, Springdale defeated Burgettstown in a Class 2A playoff game 22-12. A 22-yard pass in the third period from Charlie Hertzog to Larry Lutz gave the Dynamos the lead for good. Mike Pajerski got the scoring underway with a 53-yard fumble return.

100 years ago

• En route to a WPIAL title, Washington blasted Tarentum, 50-0. In an era where only last names were used in newspaper accounts, Drury scored four Wash High touchdowns as Tarentum was held to a lone first down.

75 years ago

• Arnold ended its season in dramatic fashion as Carl Mazza booted a 35-yard field goal on the game’s final play to defeat Shaler Township, 3-0.

• After suffering its first loss in three seasons, Ken High rebounded with a 19-7 victory over Har-Brack as 11,500 crammed into Ken High Memorial Stadium. Willie Thrower, in his final high school game, scored from 2 yards and threw a 10-yard scoring pass to Dick Tamburo.

60 years ago

• Kiski Area finalized its second season with a 20-9 victory over Har-Brack. Bobby (Tex) Koleno scored on runs of 43 and 9 yards to pace the Cavaliers.

• Arnold finished 9-1 with touchdowns from John Henry Favors and Gene Montemurro in a 12-0 victory over Springdale. The Lions defense yielded just 65 points for the season.

50 years ago

• Leechburg defeated Richland, 19-13, in the AIC Bowl. Randy Tira scored two touchdowns — one on a 65-yard punt return to give Leechburg the lead for good — and intercepted a pass with 1 minute, 50 seconds to go to preserve the victory.

40 years ago

• Plum punched its ticket to the Class 4A, Division II title game with a 12-7 victory over Upper St. Clair at Ambridge’s Mo Rubenstein Stadium. A 5-yard pass from Jim Miller to Jeff Hahn with less than five minutes to go proved to be the winner.

• The Fox Chapel defense forced six Canon-McMillan turnovers and a safety as the Foxes posted a 9-7 Class 4A, Division I playoff victory. Mike Pitcairn’s 27-yard pass to Milt Sloan provided the margin of victory.

25 years ago

• Lucas Heakins ran for 313 yards and scored five touchdowns as Riverview pounded Frazier, 48-0, in a Class A playoff game. The Raiders defense held the Commodores to just four first downs.

10 years ago

• Highlands had trouble containing Thomas Jefferson’s Chase Winovich as the Golden Rams lost a 23-14 playoff decision to the Jaguars. Winovich, who recently retired from the NFL, scored three touchdowns — the final one coming with 9:09 to go.

Tags: Fox Chapel, Highlands, Kiski Area, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale