High School Playbook

By: Matt Farago

The season for the four teams crowned WPIAL Champions Friday at Heinz Field is far from over. Next they enter the PIAA quarter-finals and with a win Friday would advance one game closer to smelling the sweet air at Hershey-Park Stadium on December 18-19 for the PIAA State Championships.

Last Year three teams from the WPIAL got to the State Finals, but only one, Thomas Jefferson brought back gold. This year there are teams that know what it takes to get to the finals, while others this will be their first time.

Clairton looks to return to Hershey after getting Steam Rolled by Steelton-Highspire last season. Now with Steel-High out of the picture, will Clairton be able to claim state gold?

In class "AA" Greensburg Central is in the State Playoff for the first time in school history coming off their first WPIAL championship. How long will GCC Cinderella run continue?

For Bob Palko's West Allegheny Indians, it's only been eight years since their last trip to the sweetest place on earth, that year they brought a golden football to Imperial. Can Mike Caputo lead the Indians to State title?

Another coach that knows the PIAA State Playoffs pretty well is Woodland Hills coach George Novak, who is looking to make another run coming off of his 6th WPIAL Championship. Is there a good enough offense to be Woodland Hills?

While there are many questions that need to be answered as we kickoff the State Playoffs, in the next few weeks those questions will be answered, including who will be the four best football teams in the keystone state in 2009? Gentlemen start your engines.

Here are this Friday's Games: (First numbers is schools district)

Class-A

Conemaugh Twp. (5) (11-1) vs. Clairton (7) (12-1) @ Yough High School (7) at 7:00pm

Class-AA

Greesburgh Central Catholic (7) (11-2) vs. Bedford (5) (7-6) at Windber High School at 7:00pm

Class-AAA

Eire Cathedral Prep (10) (11-2) vs. West Allegheny (7) (11-2) @ North Allegheny (7) at 7:00pm

Class-AAAA

Woodland Hills (12-1) vs. State College (10-2) @ Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona at 7:00pm

3:26- Sorry, I haven't been around. I have became the picture editor today. Anyway an update in class-AA. GCC is seeing gold leading the quips 26-7 start of the 4th quarter.

1:39- One down three to go, the WPIAL title games continue with AA as Aliquippa looks to be the second team in '09 to repeat over Greensburg Central Catholic.

1:10pm--Clairton wins its second consecutive WPIAL Single A championship.  Final score 14-13.

1:03pm-Rochester scores touchdown, and then goes for 2 and the win. Clairton stops them short. 14-13 should be the final. Clairton goes back-to-back 14-13

12:40- 4th quarter. Rochester still leads 7-6. Clairton with the ball with just over 6 mintues to play. Rochester defense has done a "stand-up job" untill.......Desimon Green into scampers into the end zone from 20-yards out, 2pt is good. Clairton leads 14-7 with 5 minutes left to play.

11:35-Clairton “attempted” a field goal that looked nothing like a field goal attempt. However, at the half Rochester leads 7-6.

11:30- Rochester blocked Clairton punt, got the ball inside Clairton 10 yard-line. Trey Johnston runs in the Touchdown from 2-yards out, EP is good. 7-6 Rochester.

11:15- After Rochester Punt, Howard from 15-yard out for Clairton Touchdown. 6-0 Bears.

11:06am- Clairton fumbles at the Rochester 7-yard line, keeping the game scoreless. Rochester has a 3rd down and ten from their own 5. 9:30 to go in first half.

11:00am- Scoreless in the Single-A Championship Game. It’s be a back and forth contest, Rochester turned the ball over after putting together the best drive of the game. This one is not a shocker, I doubt this game gets out of the teens, if that.

10:17am (Friday) - Good morning high school football fans. It was once again a blast getting into the WPIAL Championships, however thanks to the great folks at the WPIAL for giving me an all access pass. Let’s get on with the games, up first is the class A showdown between Rochester and Clairton. Weather today in the Pittsburgh area not the greatest, I am sure many will say “Why go out in the cold, lets stay home eat leftovers and watch the games on FSN.

Franklin Regional (8-3) went into Friday night competing not just against Thomas Jefferson, they were also competing against history. Thomas Jefferson entered the game with a 47-game winning streak in the WPIAL, and the three-time defending champion Jaguars continued what they've done over that span in a 27-14 win at Elizabeth Forward.

Thomas Jefferson got started in the first quarter by opening with the no-huddle offense. It paid off when quarterback Sam Johnston found senior receiver Jim Giansante -- the WPIAL leader in receiving yards -- for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

(Thomas Jefferson WR/DB Jim Giansante is the only player in the state of Pennsylvania with 1,000-plus receiving yards)

Giansante has made plays all season on both sides of the ball, and for the second week in a row he caught a touchdown pass and intercepted a pass in the same game, picking off Franklin Regional's Steve Liberatore. That turnover set up a touchdown run by junior running back Dylan Breisinger and the Jaguars had a 14-0 lead at halftime.

"All week we worked really hard in practice," Giansante told Channel 4 Action Sports' John Meyer after the game. "Every game can be your last game, especially as a senior. We want to go out every game and do the best we can do."

(Quarterback Sam Johnston completed 12 of 30 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown)

Breisinger hit the ground running in the second half, as he took a handoff up the middle and 61 yards for a touchdown on Thomas Jefferson's first possession of the half, giving the Jaguars a 20-0 lead after a missed extra point.

"We wanted to come out and establish the run, and use a lot of clock up," Thomas Jefferson head coach Bill Cherpak said. "We hit some big plays and [Franklin Regional] played tough. They're a good football team."

Franklin Regional finally answered with a touchdown run by Chad Bowman, and the Panthers trailed 20-7, but by then it was too little, too late. Thomas Jefferson was already in cruise control and then "TJ" turned to its own T.J. -- as in Matrascia -- and the junior's four-yard touchdown run finally put the game out of reach.

(The Jaguars have won the last 3 WPIAL championships and 4 of the last 5. They also have won 3 of the last 5 state championships.)

Franklin Regional added another touchdown late, but the Jaguars (11-0) held on to secure their 12th straight trip to the WPIAL semifinals, where they will face West Allegheny (9-2).

More Eat 'n Park Game of the Week:

• Week 10: South Side Beaver at Clairton
  
• Week 9: Gateway at McKeesport
• Week 8: Sto-Rox at Keystone Oaks
• Week 7: West Allegheny at Hopewell
• Week 6: Aliquippa at Center
• Week 5: Springdale at Avonworth
• Week 4: Chartiers Valley at West Mifflin
• Week 3: Upper St. Clair at North Allegheny
• Week 2: Central Catholic at Canon-McMillan
• Week 1: Gateway at Penn Hills

More Thomas Jefferson:

10-23-09 BVA - Thomas Jefferson Kickoff Forecast

10-17-08 BVA - Thomas Jefferson Kickoff Forecast

Thomas Jefferson Head Coach Bill Cherpak

10-23-09 BVA - Thomas Jefferson Kickoff Forecast

Thomas Jaguars Head Coach Bill Cherpak

Jaguars practice

WPIAL Playoffs: TJ vs Franklin Regional

09 Playoffs: Thomas Jefferson's Bill Cherpak

10-23-09 BVA - Thomas Jefferson Kickoff Forecast

Two-A-Days 09: TJ WR/DB Ed Hasis

Two-A-Days 09: TJ Wide Receiver Jimmy Giansante

Two-A-Days 09: TJ Head Coach Bill Cherpak

Eat 'n Park Game of the Week

Eat 'n Park Game Of The Week Preview

WPIAL Football Playoff Pairings

10-23-09 BVA - Thomas Jefferson Kickoff Forecast

WPIAL Class AAA Championship Preview

PIAA Class AAA Championship

One got revenge last week against the two-time defending champions to earn a berth in the title game, while the other knocked off a perennial championship contender. They finished the season tied with the league's best record and with both of last year's championship game participants now eliminated, they will meet Friday to decide who will stand alone on top.

Some may say that Schenley (8-1) and Oliver (8-1) could be the most unlikely pair to meet in this year's City League championship game, considering Schenley stunned the reigning Brashear Bulls, and Oliver took out Perry, who has won six of the nine championships in this decade.

(Schenley RB/DB Jerome Mathews is among western Pennsylvania's top scorers this season with 14 TDs)

Besides being the top two teams by win-loss records, the two team's also boast the City's two best scoring defenses. Oliver allowed a league-best average of 7.9 points per game, and shut down Perry in the Bears' 10-6 semifinal win last Thursday; a 17-yard touchdown catch by Martise Smith was the difference in the game.

(Martise Smith's 17-yard touchdown reception was helped Oliver to a 10-6 win over Perry in the City semifinals)

Schenley allowed 8.2 points per game during the season, and shut out Brashear's high-powered offense; the Bulls lone points game on a safety in Schenley's 14-2 semifinal win last Friday night.  The Spartans also had eight tackles for losses, five sacks, and three interceptions, frustrating Brashear quarterback Henri Chatman, the City League's leading passer.

(Oliver boasts the City League's best scoring defense, allowing fewer than 8 points per game)

Running back/defensive back Jerome Mathews scored on a 19-yard touchdown run and made key plays on defense in the Spartans' victory. His fourth-quarter interception set up an 11-yard touchdown catch by Deandre Black.

(DeAndre Black scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass in Schenley's City League semifinal win over Brashear)

The last time these two teams met was on September 26, when a touchdown run by Mathews was the lone score of the game in a 6-0 Schenley win. He is among the area's leading scorers with 14 touchdowns.

Schenley is seeking its first City League football championship since 1999, while Oliver's last title was in 2005.

2008 CITY CHAMPIONSHIP: Perry vs. Brashear

More Schenley:

Allderdice vs Schenley

Allderdice vs Schenley

Mathews Run

Schenley Goal Line

Mathews TD Stretch

Deandre Black

videos	showing 1 to 6 of 10 video(s).   see all
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Week 8 Football: Schenley vs Allderdice

Avonworth vs. Schenley

Semifinals: Allderdice V. Schenley Halftime

Semifinals: Allderdice V. Schenley 2nd Half

Semifinals: Allderdice V. Schenley 1st Half

Student-Athlete of the Week: Markel Walker

City Championship Preview: Schenley vs. Oliver

Week 8 WPIAL & City League Football Highlights

City League Boys Semifinals:Allderdice v. Schenley

DeJuan Blair Signs Contract With Spurs

Pitt's Blair, Young Slip To 2nd Round Of NBA Draft

DeJuan Blair Enters NBA Draft

More Oliver:

Oliver Bears

Oliver Bears

Oliver Bears

Oliver Bears

Oliver Bears

Oliver Bears

videos	showing 1 to 6 of 13 video(s).   see all
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Week 7 Football: Oliver vs Carrick

RAW Highlights: Carrick vs Oliver

Week 3: Oliver vs Allderdice

Week 2: Oliver vs Westinghouse

City League: Oliver vs Westinghouse. Second Half

City League: Oliver vs Westinghouse. First Half

City Championship Preview: Schenley vs. Oliver

Week 7 WPIAL & City League Football Highlights

Eat 'N Park Game of the Week

High School Playbook Week 2 Highlights

Pittsburgh Football Week 3 Best Play Highlights

City League Girls Semifinals: Westinghouse-Oliver

 By: Matt Farago

MCKEES ROCKS, Pa.- "It's a gauntlet in the Parkway [Conference] every week, and if you don't come to play your game, you’re going to lose, our guys got it done tonight." Those were the words of New Castle head coach Frank Bongivengo after his Hurricanes defeated the Montour Spartans 7-0 in what was a consistent down pour.

The weather was a big reason why neither team’s high scoring offense could get anything going. It looked like this was a battle of two teams going in different directions. New Castle came into Friday night’s game in as close to a must win as you can get, after two close losses to both Hopewell (6-0) and West Allegheny (5-1). For Montour after a close week one loss to Pine-Richland, had rattled off 4 straight wins.

In a game that had high numbers in punts (9), penalties (17), and turnovers (5), the numbers on the scoreboard were almost nonexistent.

New Castle would start and cap off the scoring in one play, coming at the 10:03 mark of the 2^nd quarter when Hurricanes quarterback John Matarazzo found Jordan Izzo on a 19-yard crossing pattern, which gave New Castle a 7-0 lead and all the points they would need to pull out a victory.

This by far wasn’t New Castle best performance; in fact Montour lead in total yards and just about every other statistical category. The rain didn’t favor either style team’s style of offense, which could also be thanks to the rather stingy Spartan and Hurricane defenses. John Materazzo went 9 of 12 for 93-yards and the games only score, while Montour quarterback Dillon Buechel went 11 of 21 for 165-yards.

Montour should be very pleased with their play on defense, even with handing New Castle short field after short field the defense was able to keep it a one score game, which made for a nail biter ending.

Late in the fourth quarter New Castle elected to go for it on 4^th and one, however the Spartans held the serge giving Montour one last chance to send the game to overtime.  That chance was fell dead in its tracks, when the Spartans couldn’t covert a 4^th and 15, letting the Hurricanes run out the rest of the close.

“Our offense is always putting points on the scoreboard and that’s  the kind of team we are, but tonight was the defenses time to step up and get us the win”  Bongivengo, continued his thoughts of their 7-0 win.

Speaking about the much need win for New Castle (4-2)-(2-2), now has a fairly secure seat in the fourth and final playoff spot, and has a good chance to finish in third place in the Parkway conference, with  Montour still having to play Hopewell and West Allegheny who are expected to finish one and two.  New Castle only have the two bottom two teams in the conference left on their schedule Moon (0-6) and Ambridge (2-4).

Montour (4-2) (2-1) drops only its second game of the season, however if the Spartans want to remain the number three seed in the conference they will need a signature win over either West Allegheny or Hopewell, not to mention a must win next week against Blackhawk (2-4).

By: Matt Farago

TURTLE CREEK, Pa. – Would the best team in quad-“A” please stand up? The problem with asking that question is that you might find 6 teams standing, maybe even more. With that being said, it’s quite clear that predicting the WPIAL quad-“A” playoff picture is becomming just as hard as picking tonight’s winning lottery number.

In a game between two teams with history that dates back decades, you knew that the Big East opener between Woodland Hills (3-1) and Pittsburgh Central Catholic (3-1) would be an instant classic. It got even more interesting when mother nature made its first visit to Friday night this season, and she didn’t go unnoticed as a stead down pour was present for most of the first half.

That rain lead to very few passing attempts let alone completions, in fact there were a total of just 6 completed passes out of the 23 attempts between both teams. This didn’t make the game any less stellar, after all both teams’ bread and butter no matter what the weather is good old fashion pounding the pigskin.

Central Catholic likes to give the ball off to sophomore Damon Jones-More and who could blame them, he is second in the WPIAL in rushing. However this would be only the second game this season Jones was held to under 200-yards with just 81-yards on 18 carries.

After Central Catholic went three and out on their first possession, Woodland Hills would put together a 6 play 70-yard drive for the game’s first score that was capped off by Dom Timbers on a 10-yard run.

Central would answer on the final play of the first quarter when Matt MacZura hit a 42-yard field in a driving rain cutting the Wolverines lead in half, making it 6-3. MacZura’s field goal would be the only points Central could scrounge up in the game.

Woodland Hills on the other hand was just getting started. Dom Timbers and the Wolverines took advantage of a David Symers fumble, when Timbers took in his second score of the night on a 30-yard run on 4^th down. The Wolverines would add a field goal late in the first half giving them a 17-3 lead at the break.

Woody High would pick up where they left off at the start of the third, once again giving the ball to Timbers who punched it his third TD from 7-yards out.

Timbers racked up 161 yards rushing and 3 touchdown in his performance against the Vikings who are also some of his old classmates, after all it was only two years ago when he dressed in Viking Blue and Gold. Dom attended Central Catholic for his freshman and sophomore year of high school, before returning back to his home district.

Not only was the services of Dom Timbers a bright spot in the “W” for Woodland Hills (4-1 – 1-0), but so as a Wolverine defense that forced 4 turnovers, three of which were fumbles, not to mention holding Central Catholic to just 149-yards total offense.

The question for Central Catholic, is what team do they want to be the rest of the season? After all they’ve gone back and forth all season with good and bad performances. Last week Central took down what was a pretty good and undefeated Upper St. Clair team, however just four days prior to that they gave up 30 points in the first half in a 36-21 loss to Mt. Lebanon. If Central wants to be in the thick of things come playoff time, next week’s game against Penn Hills (2-3) is as close to a must win as you can get.

The loss featured Central Catholic’s worst offensive production against a WPIAL team since 2002 when Central fell 38-0 to none other than Woodland Hills. Only time will tell what Central team will take the field next week.

In the last two weeks Woodland Hills has taken down the last two WPIAL champions, and their schedule has many beatable teams left on it, with maybe week nine being their toughest test between Penn Hills. After tonight’s 27-3 win, one thing is for sure; if Woodland Hills wasn’t already one of the six teams standing, they are now.

The lights at most high school football stadiums will remain on Friday night as Pittsburgh welcomes the world for the G-20 economic summit, but the City League and one WPIAL game have shifted their kickoffs.

The game between Bishop Canevin and Steel Valley, originally scheduled for Friday night, has been moved to Saturday at 11 a.m. at Campbell Athletic Field.

Concerned about potential traffic jams and reduced security as a result of the summit, Steel Valley officials opted to cancel classes and activities scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

All four City League games will also be played at Cupples Stadium on the South Side on Friday.

The schedule is as follows:

• Perry vs Peabody:  10 a.m.

• Allderdice vs Brashear:  1 p.m.

• Schenley vs Oliver:  4 p.m.

• Westinghouse vs Carrick:  7 p.m.

WTAE Channel 4 Action News will air extended news coverage of the G-20 summit during Channel 4 Action News at 11 p.m. on Friday.  Complete High School Playbook scores and highlights from the evening will air at 11:45 p.m.

CLASS AAAA:

Great Southern Conference:

-Bethel Park Black Hawks: (0-0) (2-0)
-Peters Township Indians: (0-0) (2-0)
-Upper St. Clair Panthers: (0-0) (2-0)

-Canon-McMillan Big Macs: (0-0) (1-1)
-Mount Lebanon Blue Devils: (0-0) (1-1)
-Baldwin Highlanders: (0-0) (0-2)

Foothills Conference:

-Gateway Gators : (0-0) (2-0)

-Erie McDowell Trojans: (0-0) (2-0) (Not eligible for WPIAL Playoffs)
-Norwin Knights: (0-0) - (2-0)

-Hempfield Spartans: (0-0) (1-1)
-Latrobe Wildcats : (0-0) - (1-1)

 -McKeesport Tigers : (0-0) - (1-1)
-Connellsville Falcons : (0-0) - (0-2)
-Penn-Trafford Warriors : (0-0) - (0-2)

Big East Conference

-Fox Chapel Foxes: (0-0) (2-0)
-Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings: (0-0) (2-0)
-Plum Mustangs: (0-0) (1-1)

-Woodland Hills Wolverines: (0-0) (1-1)
-Kiski Area Cavaliers: (0-0) (0-2)
-Penn Hills Indians: (0-0) (0-2)

Northern Six Conference:

-North Allegheny Tigers: (0-0) (2-0)

-Shaler Titans: (0-0) (2-0)
-Pine-Richland Rams: (0-0) (1-1)

-North Hills Indians: (0-0) (1-1)
-Butler Golden Tornado: (0-0) (0-2)
-Seneca Valley Raiders: (0-0) (0-2)

CLASS AAA:

Parkway Conference:

-Hopewell Vikings: (0-0) (2-0)
-New Castle Red Hurricanes: (0-0) (2-0)
-Ambridge Bridgers: (0-0)  (1-1)
-Blackhawk Cougars: (0-0) (1-1)
-West Allegheny Indians: (0-0) (1-1)

-Montour Spartans: (0-0) (1-1)

 -Moon Tigers: (0-0) (0-2)

Big Seven Conference:

-Belle Vernon Leopards: (0-0) (2-0)
-Chartiers Valley Colts: (0-0) (2-0)
-Elizabeth Forward Warriors: (0-0) (2-0)
-Thomas Jefferson Jaguars: (0-0) (2-0)
-West Mifflin Titans: (0-0) (2-0)

-Ringgold Rams: (0-0) (1-1)
-Trinity Hillers: (0-0) (0-2)


Greater Allegheny Conference:

-Franklin Regional Panthers: (0-0)  (1-1)
-Hampton Talbots: (0-0) (1-1)
-Mars Planets: (0-0) (1-1)
-Highlands Golden Rams: (0-0) (0-2)
-Indiana Little Indians: (0-0) (0-2)
-Knoch Knights: (0-0)  (0-2)

Keystone Conference:

-Albert Gallatin Colonials: (0-0) (1-1)

-Uniontown Red Raiders: (0-0) (1-1)
-Greensburg-Salem Golden Lions: (0-0) (1-1)

-Derry Trojans: (0-0) (0-2)
-Laurel Highlands Mustangs: (0-0) (0-1)
-Southmoreland Scotties: (0-0) (0-1)
-Yough Cougars: (0-0) (0-1)

CLASS AA:

Allegheny Conference:

-Burrell Buccaneers: (2-0) (2-0)

-Ford City Sabers: (2-0) (2-0)

-Shady Side Academy Indians: (2-0) (2-0)
-Deer Lakes Lancers: (1-1) (1-1)
-Freeport Yellowjackets: (1-1) (1-1)
-Apollo-Ridge Vikings: (1-1) (1-1)
-Kittanning Wildcats: (1-1) (1-1)
-Summit Academy Knights : (0-2) (0-2)
-Valley Vikings: (0-2) (0-2)
-West Shamokin Wolves: (0-2) (0-2)

Century Conference:

-Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles:  (2-0) (2-0)

-Seton-LaSalle Rebels: (2-0) (2-0)
-South Fayette Lions: (2-0) (2-0)

-Sto-Rox Vikings: (2-0) (2-0)
-Bishop Canevin Crusaders: (1-1) (1-1)
-Steel Valley Ironmen: (1-1) (1-1)
-Cornell Raiders: (0-2)  (0-2)
-Northgate Flames: (0-2) (0-2)
-Quaker Valley Quakers: (0-2) (0-2)
-South Park Eagles: (0-2) (0-2)


Midwestern Conference:

-Beaver Bobcats: (2-0) (2-0)
-Beaver Falls Tigers: (2-0) (2-0)

-Aliquippa Quips: (1-0) (2-0)
-Center Trojans: (1-0) (2-0)
-Freedom Bulldogs: (1-1) (1-1)

-Mohawk Warriors: (1-1) (2-1)
-Ellwood City Wolverines: (0-2) (0-2)
-New Brighton Lions: (0-2) (0-2)
-Riverside Panthers: (0-2) (0-2)

Interstate Conference:

-Jeannette Jayhawks: (2-0) (2-0)

--Mount Pleasant Vikings: (2-0) (2-0)
-Brownsville Falcons: (1-0) (1-1)
-Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions: (1-1) (1-1)
-Washington Little Prexies: (1-1) (1-1)
-Charleroi Cougars: (1-1) (1-1)

 -Waynesburg Raiders : (1-1) (1-1)

-McGuffey Highlanders: (1-1) (1-1)
-South Allegheny Gladiators : (0-2) (0-2)
-East Allegheny Wildcats: (0-2) (0-2)



CLASS A:

Tri-County South Conference:

-Jefferson-Morgan Rockets : (0-0)  (2-0)
-Beth-Center Bulldogs : (0-0)  (1-1)
-California Trojans : (0-0) (1-1)

-Geibel Gators : (0-0) (1-1)
-Carmichaels Mighty Mikes : (0-0)  (0-2)
-Mapletown Maples : (0-0) (0-2)

-Monessen Greyhounds : (0-0) (0-2)
-West Greene Pioneers : (0-0) (0-2)

Big 7 Conference:

-Laurel Spartans: (0-0) (2-0)

-Rochester Rams: (0-0) (2-0)

-Shenango Wildcats: (0-0) (2-0)

-South Side Beaver Rams : (0-0) (2-0)
-Monaca Indians: (0-0) (1-1)
-Neshannock Lancers: (0-0) (1-1)
-Union Scotties: (0-0) (0-2)
-Western Beaver Golden Beavers : (0-0)  (0-2)

Black Hills Conference:

-Serra Catholic Eagles : (0-0) (2-0)

-Fort Cherry Rangers : (0-0) (2-0)

-Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers : (0-0) (2-0)
-Avella Eagles : (0-0) (1-1)
-Bentworth Bearcats : (0-0) (1-1)
-Burgettstown Blue Devils : (0-0) (1-1)
-Clairton Bears : (0-0) (1-1)
-Frazier Commodores : (0-0) (1-1)

Eastern Conference:

-Avonworth Antelopes : (0-0) (2-0)
-Springdale Dynamos : (0-0) (2-0)
-Brentwood Spartans : (0-0)  (0-2)
-Carlynton Cougars : (0-0)  (0-2)
-Leechburg Blue Devils : (0-0)  (0-2)
-North Catholic Trojans : (0-0)  (0-2)
-Riverview Raiders : (0-0)  (0-2)
-Wilkinsburg Tigers : (0-0)  (0-2)

Justin Smith needed the kind of performance in the final round of the 93rd Pennsylvania Golf Association Open Championship that would help him overcome a five-shot deficit behind the leaders. But he didn't just catch them, he overtook them.

Smith shot a 3-under-par 68 for the round to finish with an even-par 213 for a two-stroke victory over Harrisburg's Stuart Ingraham and a $10,000 first prize. Smith, a former PIAA champion at Franklin High School and NCAA team champion at the University of Minnesota, is currently ninth on the NGA Hooters Tour money list this season.

Mike Van Sickle, a Pine-Richland graduate and the two-time defending champion in the event, finished third, four shots behind Smith.

Van Sickle (pictured) finished his highly-decorated collegiate career this past season at Marquette, winning such national awards as the Ben Hogan Award (best collegiate male golfer) and the Byron Nelson Award (best senior golfer), and the Big East Men's Player of the Year award.

Van Sickle was the 2005 WPIAL individual champion as a senior.

TRACK AND FIELD

Ryan Gil continues to build on his reputation as one of the top distance runners in the state. In fact, he recently made a case as one of the best in the nation.

Gil, who will be a junior at North Allegheny this season, won the 2,000-meter steeplechase in the intermediate boys' division (15-16 year olds) with a time of 6 minutes, 19.73 seconds at the USA Track & Field Junior Olympics two weeks ago in Greensboro, N.C. He improved upon his showing last season, when he qualified and finished third.

Gil placed third at the WPIAL Class AAA cross country championships, and finished 20th at the PIAA finals as a sophomore. In track, he finished fourth at the WPIAL championships in the 1,600-meter run.

His former teammate, Will Appman, ran the same race in the young men's division (17-18) and finished sixth with a time of 6:29.22. Appman will run for Penn State as a freshman this coming season.

More Pine-Richland:

Casey Watts

Pine Richland Cheerleaders

Pine Richland Fans

Pine Richland Football

Pine Richland Fans

Guy Junker at Pine Richland

Profile

Promo

Pine-Richland Media Day

Pine Richland vs. Indiana 2006 JV

Pine Richland at West Allegheny 8/31/2007

Athlete of the Week

Pine-Richland Grad Makes PGA Tour Debut

Shady Side Academy, NA Capture WPIAL Titles

Ian Hennessy: Athlete of the Week

More North Allegheny:

North Allegheny High School Marching Band

North Allegheny Band

Upper St. Clair Cheerleaders

North Allegheny Mascot

North Allegheny

Upper St. Clair

North Allegheny Boys Basketball Highlights

North Allegheny Girls Basketball Highlights

NA Marching Band

NA Marching Band

NA vs Bethel Park Part 1

NA vs Bethel Park Part 2

Down On The Farm: Local MLB Draftee Update

North Allegheny Lineman Joins Growing PSU Class

Shady Side Academy, NA Capture WPIAL Titles

PIAA Baseball Quarterfinals

North Allegheny Athlete Hit In Head With Discus

Clearview Student-Athlete Of The Week