Westmoreland County high school notebook: Southmoreland QB situation settled

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, August 17, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Caden Matthews, a junior who was competing with freshman Anthony Smith for the starting quarterback spot at Southmoreland, left the team during the first week of full-padded training camp.

Smith will be the Scotties’ starter.

Matthews (6-foot, 180), who was the Scotties’ backup last season, planned to transfer to Connellsville, he confirmed.

Matthews, who has attracted college attention, threw 21 passes last season, one for a touchdown.

Coach Tim Bukowski had said if Matthews did not start at QB, he would help the team in other areas.

Fast start

Latrobe is one of eight schools in the WPIAL to field a new girls golf team this season.

The Wildcats are taking to the competition quickly. They won their first two matches: 226-248 over Kiski Area and 237-246 against Indiana.

Gia Petrazio shot 51 in the second match.

Double eagle

Franklin Regional senior Liam Copeland is a talented hockey player, but he is showing he also can play some golf.

Copeland delivered for the Panthers in a 187-193 win over Plum last week at Meadowink Golf Course.

Copeland hit his drive just right side of the fairway on the sixth hole, and the ball bounced up the cart path on the 490-yard par-5. By the time it came to rest, Copeland had 136 yards for his approach.

He hit the shot high, then watched it bounce and roll into the hole for a double eagle.

Copeland finished with a 1-under-par 35 in the victory, which also saw Luke Anderchak (35) and Mitchell Murray (36) go low.

GS opening

With Cam Auld leaving to take the boys basketball job at Norwin, Greensburg Salem has a coaching opening for its top boys hoops spot.

Auld guided the Golden Lions for the last two seasons.

Potential candidates already have inquired about the job to athletic director Drake D’Angelo.

Lemke to Cal

Franklin Regional senior baseball player Chase Lemke will continue his baseball career at Cal (Pa.), where he will test his skills against the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Lemke, a shortstop and outfielder, hit .262 in 23 games this season with 16 hits and 12 runs.

He also plays quarterback for the Panthers.

Pergar joins Scotties

Established coach Michelle Pergar has a new volleyball team this season. She is guiding the Southmoreland girls.

Pergar has coached with three other WPIAL programs: at Laurel Highlands, where she won three section titles; Albert Gallatin, where she led the team to the WPIAL playoffs for the first time; and Hempfield, where she also won a section title and Big 56 Conference Coach of the Year honors.

Southmoreland returns a core of key players who led the team to an undefeated regular season and a section title.

Pergar, who is from Maryland, played college volleyball at Lock Haven.

Burkhart out

One of the better shot-stoppers in WPIAL boys soccer is going to miss his senior season.

Belle Vernon senior keeper Bryce Burkhart suffered a dislocated hip in a vehicle accident Aug. 10, Leopards coach Al Yeschenko said.

Freshman Morgan Bunch is expected to take over in net.

Belle Vernon had seven starters back, including standout goal scorer Trevor Kovatch, as it moves up from Class 2A to 3A.

Recruiting

Lauren Marton, a rising senior basketball player at Penn-Trafford, has a couple of opportunities to play at Division II college level.

Shippensburg, a PSAC program, and Wheeling, of the Mountain East Conference, offered her a scholarship.

Marton is a 6-foot forward for the Warriors.

• Clara Wallace of Ligonier Valley signed to continue her track and cross country career at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. Savannah is an NAIA program. Wallace holds the Ligonier Valley school record in the 800-meter run at 2 minutes, 21.64 seconds. She is a three-time PIAA qualifier in cross country.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional, Greensburg Salem, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland