WPIAL Week Three Saturday’s Scholastic Starz

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, September 16, 2012 | 12:14 PM

It took three weeks, but we finally have a five-star Saturday to focus on. Five afternoon games played under perfect conditions on the busiest 'final' day of the high school football weekend thus far. Here are the top five performances from players who didn't need to play under the lights to have a Prime Time outing.

James Liput – Burrell

Opponents of Burrell have to game plan to stop Cole Bush, one of the top running back sin the WPIAL. And while Bush had his usual big game Saturday with 146-yards and a touchdown, it was quarterback James Liput that helped lift the Bucs to victory. Liput was 8 of 12 passing for 106 yards and a touchdown, plus he scored the go ahead and eventual game winning touchdowns on a pair of 1-yard runs as the Buccaneers remained undefeated with a tough 28-22 Class AA Allegheny Conference victory over the Summit Academy Knights.

Sean Dugan – Springdale

it was an old fashioned, old school smash-mouth Class A Eastern Conference football game Saturday afternoon played at historic Graham Field in Wilkinsburg as Springdale came to town. When the 'cloud of dust' settled, Sena Dugan had paved the way with 161 yards rushing and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard run as the Dynamos blanked the Tigers 15-0.

Khari Hicks – Imani Christian

After falling behind early, Imani Christian turned to an air attack that helped pave the way for a big come from behind win in the schools first ever home game as a member of the WPIAL. Quarterback Khari Hicks completed 10 of 14 passes for 305 yards and touchdown tosses of 12, 12 and 40 yards as the Saints improved to 2-1 in the Class A Black Hills Conference with a 25-14 victory over the Brentwood Spartans.

Zach Perry – Western Beaver

Don't tell Western Beaver it was ONLY a Class A non-conference game as they needed a win bad after dropping their first two games of the young season. As expected, Zach Perry helped carve out that first victory with 122 yards on 21 carries with touchdown runs of 5 and 48 yards, plus he caught a screen pass and ran down the sideline 43-yards for a score as the Golden Beavers held on to knock off the Apollo-Ridge Vikings 28-23.  

Michael Tappe – Vincentian Academy

When there are only 15 healthy players dressed, a lot is expected on both sides of the ball. Michael Tappe far exceeded those expectations. on offense, he hit on 3 of 7 passes for 25 yards and a touchdown, he rushed the ball five times for 23 yards and a score AND he intercepted three Geibel passes and took two of them back to the house for scores on pick-sixes of 100 and 55 yards in the Royals first ever victory, a 62-8 demolition of the host Gators.

Bonus – Vincentian Academy

A bonus star for the first year program that doesn't have a lot of numbers, but has a lot of fight. The Royals picked up their first ever win in impressive fashion with a 62-8 non-conference triumph over the Geibel Gators…who were playing their first game of the season after two forfeits.

Tags: Burrell, Imani Christian, Vincentian Academy, Western Beaver