WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Three 2017

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 19, 2017 | 5:39 PM

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With the completion of the third week of play, the WPIAL football regular season has already seen some of the top teams create separation, while teams off to a slow start face an uphill climb. The four plays that made the cut this week include an overtime bout in 3A, a dramatic comeback to extend a matchup winning streak in 1A, a team rebounding to win it’s first conference game in 5A, and a lengthy touchdown in the opening moments that set the tone in 4A. Here are the very best plays from Week Four.

1. McGuffey 28, Mount Pleasant 21

With only two teams guaranteed a playoff spot from each conference in 3A, the McGuffey and Mount Pleasant Interstate clash took on added importance.  After the teams played even during regulation, overtime was needed to determine the victor. The visiting Highlanders had the football first in the extra period, and wasted no time finding the end zone. McGuffey QB Marshall Whipkey hooked up with Brendan Crowe on a 10-yard strike on the first play, which ultimately proved to be the deciding score.

McGuffey Highlanders Sport Network’s Rusty Pettit and Ty Bedillion provide the sounds for the winning connection in overtime:

2. Carmichaels 36, West Greene 30

For many years, West Greene had been on the losing side of its contests against Carmichaels. This year, though, the Pioneers were off to a 3-0 start, and appeared poised to exorcise those demons as they jumped out to an early lead against the Mighty Mikes. The second half was a different story, though, as Carmichaels scored three consecutive touchdowns to claim the W. The final score, a Nick Mundell 5-yard run, broke the tie with less than four minutes left.

Greene Sports Network’s Jason Tennant, Lanfer Simpson and Emily Bennett have the call on Mundell’s third and most crucial score of the game:

3. North Hills 31, Fox Chapel 17

The 5A classification has appeared to be the most wide-open of any class thus far, and has already provided numerous upsets and fantastic finishes. The Allegheny Nine Conference affair between the Indians and Foxes provided another highlight, as Fox Chapel battled back from an early deficit to deadlock the score at 17-17 in the fourth quarter. The Indians wasted little time in responding, though, as a long reception by Melvin Blanks set the stage for the go-ahead score. QB Will Hirt’s 7-yard pass to Joseph Ryan put the Indians back in the lead for good.

MSA Sports Matt Vandriak and Rennie Detore detail the play that propelled North Hills to its first section win:

4. Highlands 24, Knoch 16

Knoch has long been the gridiron rival for the Golden Rams, but lately the Knights have dominated the series. Highlands made sure that changed in 2017, though, as the Golden Rams secured a key victory to catapult the Knights in the section standings. The offense struck early for Highlands, on just its second play from scrimmage, as quarterback Seth Cohen found Logan Crise for an 88-yard score to make it 7-0.

WISR-AM 680 Scott Briggs and Dave Bacon have the call of the early connection that gave the Golden Rams the inside track to a victory:

Tags: Carmichaels, Fox Chapel, Highlands, Knoch, West Greene