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Two Local Quarterbacks Share Common Thread, Legacy

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August 07, 2009

Pitt's Tyler Palko, Penn State's Anthony Morelli Blaze Separate Pro Football Trails

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In an area like Western Pennsylvania with a rich tradition of exceptional quarterbacks, such as Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas, local college football fans received quite the treat when Penn Hills' Anthony Morelli became the starting quarterback for Penn State and Imperial's Tyler Palko suited up to lead the University of Pittsburgh.

Both were stars at their respective high schools and enjoyed a relative measure of collegiate success. Since then, both have struggled to hold the reins on their professional careers.

Palko was a four-year letterman on the varsity football team at West Allegheny, leading the Indians to the PIAA Class AAA title as a senior in 2001. He was also the Associated Press Pennsylvania Player of the Year in the large school classification, and was selected to play in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Morelli was a highly-touted prospect out of Penn Hills in 2004, regarded as the top quarterback in the nation by some scouting services. He originally committed to Pitt the summer before his senior year, but after Palko was named the Panthers' starter, he changed his mind and signed with Penn State.

Palko started three seasons for the Panthers, finishing with career totals of 8,343 passing yards and 66 touchdown passes, both second in school history. During his senior season in 2006, he led the Big East conference in passing efficiency, completions per game, and 300-yard passing games, earning an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

Morelli took over as the Penn State starting quarterback in 2006, and finished his career with 5,275 passing yards (5th in school history) and 31 touchdowns. After leading the Nittany Lions to an comeback upset victory over Tennesse in the 2007 Outback Bowl, he became the only Penn State quarterback to throw for 2,000 yards in two seasons.

Palko went undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft, and signed with the New Orleans Saints that spring. He was released after the final cut, and then spent the entire season going through the cycle of being signed to the practice squad and then the 53-man roster; he was eventually cut again by the team on August 30, 2008.

Morelli followed the same path to the NFL, signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals following the 2008 draft. After a disappointing showing during the preseason, he was eventually cut from the Cardinals on the same day Palko was cut by the Saints, leaving both men out of professional football for the 2008 season.

On December 30, 2008, Palko was signed to a contract by the Cardinals -- Morelli's former team -- and was later joined by his younger brother Luke, who was hired by the team as a scout this past summer. Morelli had workouts for the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills during the 2009 offseason, but was not signed; he is now the quarterbacks' coach at Plum High School.

It was a tale of two quarterbacks that became another chapter in a book of many that have risen from local lore. Now they carry that legacy forward, albeit in different directions.

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November 12, 2009
Clearview Student-Athlete of the Week: Jimmy Zubik
Avonworth

By Josh Taylor, School Coordinator

If you ask Jimmy Zubik's teammates at Avonworth about some facts that most people don't know about him, the answers would differ slightly. But this much is certain: when it comes to the football field, there are few remaining that haven't heard about him.

Jimmy is a 5'9, 170-pound senior running back that not only has helped the Antelopes go from an easy win to a conference contender, he is also among the top performers in the WPIAL. He has rushed for 1,296 yards so for this season, and has scored 19 touchdowns.

(Avonworth's Jimmy Zubik)

His 229 total yards and three touchdowns helped propel the 'Lopes in last week's 27-0 win over Monaca in their first round playoff game. They avenged their loss to the Indians in last year's WPIAL semifinals.

Our High School Playbook team made a special visit to Avonworth, where Channel 4 Action Sports anchor John Meyer presented Jimmy with this week's Clearview Federal Credit Union Student-Athlete of the Week trophy on the field at Avonworth-Lenzner Stadium in front of his teammates, head coach Jason Kekseo, some of his classmates, and his mother.

When asked what has helped make him successful, Jimmy credited his coaches and his teammates -- namely, his offensive line. But he also praised Kekseo's efforts to help build Avonworth into a front line Class A program: the 'Lopes have won 19 of their last 22 games dating back to the start of last season.

Now looming ahead in their quarterfinal matchup is a date with Clairton, the defending WPIAL champion and state runner-up. When asked about what it would take to beat the Bears, Zubik said, "Heart."

"We have to set the tempo and let them know we're not just going to roll over," he said. "We're a pretty good team too and we want to go out and prove it."

Previous Honorees:

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Avonworth/Fort Cherry scrimmage @ home 8-29-09_008

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Week 9 Football: Avonworth vs North Catholic

Game Of The Week: Springdale vs Avonworth

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Week 3: Avonworth vs. Brentwood Second Half

Jimmy Zubik Interview

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Clearview Student-Athlete of the Week: Jimmy Zubik

McConnell Leads WPIAL Basketball Class Of 2010

Eat 'N Park Game of the Week

High School Playbook Week 5 Football Highlights

High School Playbook Week 1 Highlights

Two-A-Days '09: Avonworth Looking For 4 More Yards

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November 06, 2009
Shaler Holds on in First Round Thriller 23-21
Shaler

By: Matt Farago

SHALER, Pa. – Boy, have the times changed for the red, white and blue; and although that statement maybe be true in speaking about our country, try www.thepittsburghchannel.com for more on that subject, in this article rather we are speaking about the red, white and blue of the Shaler Titans.

After all Titans fans have seen a change one could only compare to the economy, as far as its drastic turn around since head coach Neil Gordon was handed the keys to the football team last spring. Since being handed the keys Gordon has driven his Titans right on the highway to Heinz the past two seasons.

Coming into their WPIAL first round showdown with (5-4) Mt. Lebanon the (8-1) Titans brought with them their best record since 1998, that Titan squad won their opening round game but fell to Penn Hills Indians in the second round under….you guess it; Neil Gordon. Shaler would like to repeat at least the first part of that history with a win over the Blue Devils.

Shaler put together the first scoring drive on the first drive of the game when this week’s High School Playbook Athleate of the Week Jesse Dalla Valle took in the game first score.

Mt. Lebanon would answer that score in the second with a touchdown of their own, but the extra point was blocked, which still let the Titans keep the lead.

This back and forth battle would continued long in to the cold November night, as both the Titans and Blue Devils trade score once again, on the Devils score they were able to convert a two point conversion

Mt. Lebanon forced Shaler to attempt a field goal which went right through the pipes making it 17-14.

After the Blue Devils were able to take the lead for the first time all game, Jesse Dalla Valle (150-yard on 34 carries) once again answered the call on a two-yard dive for his third score of the game, with the missed extra point made it only a 2 point game at 23-21, and would give Mt. Lebo one last chance for some late heroics.

The heroics did come, but for the red, white and blue. As the 30-yard game winning field goal attempt was blocked by the Titans and scoped up by none other then Dalla Valle who retured it to the Devils 10-yard line, sealing the win.

Shaler will take on the defending WPIAL AAAA Champion Bethel Park next Friday night at 7:30 at a site to be determined.

Since the WPIAL started a football postseason back in the 1970s, (there had been only championship games before that time), Shaler won only three playoff games – last year, 2000, and 1998. With the Shaler win tonight, Gordon has as many playoff victories in his two year tenure, as the schools previous history. If that isn’t something for the red, white, and blue to cheer about, what is?

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October 31, 2009
Week 9 WPIAL & CIty League Football Scores

HIGH SCHOOL PLAYBOOK SCOREBOARD

WEEK 9

GAME OF THE WEEK: GATEWAY 35 MCKEESPORT 14 (Highlights)

WILDCARD GAME: NORTH CATHOLIC 17 AVONWORTH 7 (Highlights)

CITY LEAGUE

SCHENLEY 58 CARRICK 16

OLIVER 22 PEABODY 14

WPIAL CLASS AAAA

WOODLAND HILLS 30 PENN HILLS 5

BETHEL PARK 41 BALDWIN 7

UPPER ST. CLAIR 21 MT. LEBANON 14

CENTRAL CATHOLIC 42 FOX CHAPEL 14

PLUM 28 KISKI AREA 21

SENECA VALLEY 35 BUTLER 17

SHALER 29 PINE-RICHLAND 7

NORTH ALLEGHENY 28 NORTH HILLS 3 (Highlights)

HEMPFIELD 40 LATROBE 33

PETERS TOWNSHIP 41 CANON-MCMILLAN 21

PENN-TRAFFORD 38 NORWIN 17 (Highlights)

WPIAL CLASS AAA

TRINITY 24 RINGGOLD 10

THOMAS JEFFERSON 42 WEST MIFFLIN 0

BELLE VERNON 37 ELIZABETH FORWARD 9

HAMPTON 59 HIGHLANDS 0

HOPEWELL 49 MOON 0

FRANKLIN REGIONAL 14 INDIANA 7

GREENSBURG SALEM 14 DERRY 6

MARS 7 KNOCH 3

UNIONTOWN 40 LAUREL HIGHLANDS 22

BLACKHAWK 20 AMBRIDGE 0

CHARTIERS VALLEY 45 ALBERT GALLATIN 19

YOUGH 56 SOUTHMORELAND 28

WPIAL CLASS AA

STEEL VALLEY 42 SOUTH PARK 22

KEYSTONE OAKS 35 SETON-LASALLE 7

ALIQUIPPA 35 FREEDOM 2

MOUNT PLEASANT 36 CHARLEROI 20

MCGUFFEY 14 WASHINGTON 12 (Highlights)

CENTER 23 BEAVER 14

BEAVER FALLS 49 NEW BRIGHTON 14

GREENSBURG CENTRAL CATHOLIC 49 JEANNETTE 18 (Highlights)

RIVERSIDE 34 ELLWOOD CITY 7

CORNELL 14 QUAKER VALLEY 8

KITTANNING 23 FORD CITY 22

STO-ROX 51 NORTHGATE 12

BURRELL 32 VALLEY 6

WAYNESBURG 29 BROWNSVILLE 19

SHADY SIDE ACADEMY 50 DEER LAKES 0

EAST ALLEGHENY 6 SOUTH ALLEGHENY 3

APOLLO-RIDGE 39 WEST SHAMOKIN 7

WPIAL CLASS A

BETH-CENTER 50 GEIBEL 7

FRAZIER 8 BENTWORTH 0

CLAIRTON 39 SERRA CATHOLIC 7

JEFFERSON-MORGAN 42 MAPLETOWN 8

BURGETTSTOWN 21 AVELLA 13

UNION 33 NESHANNOCK 14

FORT CHERRY 18 CHARTIERS-HOUSTON 15

SPRINGDALE 40 RIVERVIEW 0

MONESSEN 50 CALIFORNIA 21

CARMICHAELS 42 WEST GREENE 7

BRENTWOOD 40 CARLYNTON 6

NON-CONFERENCE

NEW CASTLE 42 MOHAWK 0

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October 02, 2009
ROX STAR: Jones Leads Vikings Back in 25-7 Win
Sto-Rox

By: Matt Farago

MCKEES ROCKS, Pa. – The only place where the stadium lights shined on the first night of October were those at Sto-Rox Stadium as all eyes were on a battle between the Vikings and the Seton LaSalle Rebels in a Thursday night showdown. The night sure felt like October weather, as temperatures reached the low 40’s for the first time this season.

There was no doubt the Thursday night showdown was a chance for all to witness the 6’5, 230 pound Vikings quarterback Paul Jones who is a Penn State recruit. However if the Rebels were supposed to lay down to Jones and the Vikings, they didn’t get the memo.

Seton LaSalle came into the game with all intentions on keeping their unblemished record in tacked, and in the first half that looked like it would happen. In what was a classic tale of two halves, it was the Rebels who were in control of the first half.

Seton would get the first and only first half points on the board when quarterback Anthony Rizza found Mike Del Sardo for a 9-yard touchdown strike, Rizza completed 8 of his 13 passes in the first half and is one of the top passers in the WPIAL having 1,040 yards on season after just five weeks. Little did Seton know that was the last time they would light the scoreboard.

After the score, it wasn’t like both teams had chances to get scores but the first half went on in what was more like a battle between punters or who can get a turnover on downs faster. Sto-Rox couldn’t get anything going on the offensive side of the ball, and Jones (7 of 16 in the first half) look flustered and threw many off target balls, not to mention he still looked like he was walking with a bit of limp from his broken ankle back in July. Thanks to the Vikings defense they only faced a 7 point deficit going into the half.

Half number two told a different story, and really looked like the teams had flipped roles. The first drive of the second half Jones lead a drive right down the field, putting the Vikings on the board on a 38-yard pass to Marzett Geter, who somehow kept his balance to get in for the score after getting blasted around the eight yard line.

It would be more appropriate if Sto-Rox nickname was the Rebels, at least they sure acted like rebels as the decided to go for the two-point conversion after the Geter TD, however the two was no problem for the Vikings as they punched in the score and took a one point lead, a lead they would never relinquish.

The Vikings would put this one to bed, when Paul Jones showed off his rocket for an arm on a 44-yard pass once again finding the awaiting hands of Geter. Jones made a pretty play for the conversion on a dump pass to seal the deal leading 16-7, with just 5 minutes to go.

That score didn’t stop the Vikings defense from sacking Rizza in the end zone for a safety. The Vikings special teams didn’t find it fair that everyone was scoring except them, they changed that on the free kick when Dontae Gilmore scampered up the far sidelines 60-yards for a touchdown. That would conclude the score for the game, and the outcome as the Vikings gave the Rebels their first loss of the ’09 season 25-7.

The Rebels (4-1) are sure to take their first loss in stride, but could have a tougher test on their hands next week when they host South Fayette, who did their home work tonight on the Rebels as some of Lions coaching staff was in attendance.

As for the Vikings (4-1) they right their ship after a tough loss last week to South Fayette (4-0), now Sto-Rox will continue their Century Conference schedule looking to fill the second spot in the conference. That second seed quest will continue next week vs. Steel Valley. Also Paul Jones will look to continue to recover from not only his ankle injury, but he also suffered a bruised shin during tonight’s game, but how he played in the second half tonight no one should underestimate him or the Vikings, injured or not.

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September 19, 2009
Mt. Lebanon Shocks Central Catholic 36-21
Mt Lebanon

By: Matt Farago

PITTSBURGH, Pa- It has became apparent in the first three weeks of play in the 2009 season that Quad-“A” in the WPIAL is going to be at least a 5 horse race to Heinz Field in November. If there was a front runner of that race it very well could have been Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Where the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils fit into this checks-mix of good quad-“A” squads could be nothing more than the dark horse.

Mt. Lebanon came into Carnegie Mellon University ready for a tough Saturday afternoon contest versus Pittsburgh Central Catholic. At least until the second half, Central Catholic wasn’t as ready.

The Blue Devils would draw first blood as Luke Hagy found the end zone from 2-yards out the extra point was blocked, giving Lebo a 6-0.

It wouldn’t take long for Mt. Lebanon to get a two score lead, as Sean Veights picked off Viking quarterback David Symers and took it 15-yards for the pick-six.

Lebo would get their third score of the 1^st quarter when quarterback Pat Goff found Paul Lang on a 6-yard strike, making it 23-0 in favor of the Blue Devils.

They would add a field goal and a Luke Alberts (13 for 126 and 2 TD’s) 1-yard td run, to give the Devils a 30 point lead.

Central would show a flash of greatness right before the half, as WPIAL leading rusher Damon Jones-More showed off his receiving skills when Symers found him for a 53-yard pass and catch right before the halftime break, making it 30-7.

In the second half it seemed like the old Central Catholic team we all knew had returned to the playing surface. Dom Maggio busted into the end zone with 9:57 left in the 3^rd from 4-yards out. Then Symers (6 of 16 for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns) found a wide open Dustin Lawman for 77 yard touchdown strike.

However the thought of a Central come back was put to rest by Luke Alberts who found the end zone for his second time of the afternoon. Mt. Lebanon defense would hold the entire forth quarter, letting the Blue Devils take the win 36-26.

In all of Pittsburgh Central Catholics (2-1) first three games they have had to come from behind, In week one vs. Youngstown Ursuline the Vikings battle back down 16, and last week vs. Canon-McMillan they found themselves down by 7. This time Central couldn’t wake up in time to mount yet another come back, down as many as 30.

It will be interesting to see if the tough loss and a very short week, have any effect on Central Catholic’s performance when they travel to Upper Saint Clair to play Alex Park and the Panthers on Thursday night.

Mt. Lebanon (2-1) will take the win over Central Catholic in stride and is sure to be something to build on next week for another tough test when they travel to Shaler (3-0).

After this afternoon’s game, it has became quite easy to see that the highway to Heinz for class quad-“A” might have as much traffic on it as the Parkway this weekend when Pittsburgh welcomes the G20.

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September 16, 2009
Brashear Standout Commits To Wisconsin
Brashear

Brashear standout Manasseh Garner has used his versatility to help lead the Bulls to consecutive City League championships the past two seasons. He will soon use it to thrive in a similar role at the next level.

Garner, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound receiver/linebacker, has made a verbal commitment to the University of Wisconsin. He chose Wisconsin over Pitt, Maryland, Connecticut, Buffalo, Minnesota, Akron, and Toledo.

He has been recruited to play the "H-back" position, a combination of fullback and tight end, for the Badgers in an offense very similar to Brashear's, a critical factor in his decision. He also has family in the Wisconsin area.

Brashear head coach Rick Murphy described him as a "dynamic athlete and an unbelievable person."

"As a football player, there's just so many things he can do," Murphy told High School Playbook's Josh Taylor before the season. "He's probably our top offensive weapon. Our offensive coordinator is always coming up with some idea to get the ball in his hands."

Garner was the Bulls' leading receiver and leading tackler last year as a junior. So far this season, he has five receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown on offense, as well as 14 tackles, a sack and an interception on defense.

"I don't really pay attention," Garner said about all of the recognition he has received as one of western Pennsylvania's standouts.

"It's fun to know people are already putting me in that line, but I'm out here busting my butt as if I don't have any scholarship offers. I want to stay focused and not have any other distractions."

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Brashear's Rick Murphy & Playbook's Josh Taylor

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Brashear at Peabody 9.14.2007

Week 4: Carrick vs. Brashear

Taylor Allderdice at Brashear

Boys BBall City League Finals Schenley vs Brashear

Brashear Marching Band At Steelers Parade

Brashear Teachers Uses CPR To Save Student

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Two-A-Days '09: "Bulls"-eye On Brashear

Brashear Teacher Uses CPR To Save Student

City League Championship Preview

city league playoffs

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September 14, 2009
WPIAL TOP TEN: Week 3

CLASS AAAA

#1 PITTSBURGH CENTRAL CATHOLIC (2-0)
(Last Week: #`) (This week: host Mount Lebanon Saturday at 2pm ON CHAMPS)

#2) BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS (2-0)
(Last Week #2) (This Week: at North Hills)

#3) NORTH ALLEGHENY TIGERS (2-0)
(Last Week #3) (This week: host #6 Upper St. Clair)

#4) GATEWAY GATORS (2-0)
(Last Week #4) (This week: host Latrobe Thursday Night)

#5) McKEESPORT TIGERS (1-1)
(Last Week: #6) (This Week: at Connellsville)

#6) UPPER ST. CLAIR PANTHERS (2-0)
(Last Week: #7) (This Week: at #3 North Allegheny)

#7) SHALER TITIANS (2-0)
(Last Week: Unraked) (This Week: host Hampton)

#8) WOODLAND HILLS WOLVERINES (1-1)
(Last Week: #10) (This Week: Canon-McMillan)

#9) PINE-RICHLAND RAMS (1-1)
(Last Week: #7) (This Week: host Highlands)

#10) NORWIN KNIGHTS (2-0)
(Last Week: Unranked) (This Week: Erie McDowell)

OUT OF TOP AAAA TEN: Penn Hills, Mt. Lebanon.

CLASS AAA

#1) THOMAS JEFFERSON JAGUARS (2-0)
(Last Week: #1) (This Week: host Trinity)

#2) HOPEWELL VIKINGS (2-0)
(Last Week: #2) (This Week: at Ambridge)

#3) CHARTIERS VALLEY COLTS (2-0)
(Last Week #3) (This Week: host #6 Blackhawk)

#4) NEW CASTLE RED HURRICANES (2-0)
(Last Week #4) (This Week: #10Belle Vernon)

#5) WEST ALLEGHENY INDIANS (1-1)
(Last Week: #7) (This week: at Moon ON CHAMPS)

#6) MARS PLANETS (1-1)
(Last Week: #5) (This Week: at #2 Hopewell)

#6) BLACKHAWK COUGARS (1-1)
(Last Week: #4) (This Week: at #4 New Castle)

#7) ELIZABETH FORWARD WARRIORS (2-0)
(Last Week: Unranked) (This Week: host #7 West Mifflin)

#8) WEST MIFFLIN TITANS (2-0)
(Last Week: Unranked) (This Week: at #7 Elizabeth Forward)

#9) MONTOUR SPARTANS (1-1)
(Last Week: Unranked) (This Week: host Ellwood City)

#10) Belle Vernon Lepoards (2-0)
(Last Week: Unranked) (This Week: #3 Chartiers Valley)

OUT OF AAA TOP TEN: Indiana, Franklin Regional, Hampton

CLASS AA

#1) STO-ROX VIKINGS (2-0)
(Last Week #1) (This Week: at Quaker Valley)

#2) KEYSTONE OAKS GOLDEN EAGLES (2-0)
(Last Week: #2 ) (This week: at #10 South Fayette)

#3) ALIQUIPPA QUIPS (2-0)
(Last Week: #4) (This Week: at #5 Beaver Falls)

#4) SETON-LaSALLE REBELS (2-0)
(Last Week #5) (This Week: : at Bishop Canevin)

#5) BEAVER FALLS TIGERS (2-0)
(Last Week: #6) (This week: host #3 Aliquippa)

#6) JEANNETTE JAYHAWKS (2-0)
(Last Week: #7) (This Week: South Allegheny)

#7) BEAVER BOBCATS (2-0)
(Last Week: #8) (This Week: host Freedom Saturday on CHAMPS)

#8) FORD CITY SABERS (2-0)
(Last Week: #9) (This week: host Deer Lakes)

#9) CENTER TROJANS (2-0)
(Last Week: #10) (This Week: host New Brighton)

#10) SOUTH FAYETTE LIONS (2-0)
(Last Week: Unranked) (This Week: host #2 Keystone Oaks)

OUT OF AA TOP TEN: Greensburg Central Catholic

CLASS A

#1) ROCHESTER RAMS (2-0)
(Last Week #1) (This Week:

#2) AVONWORTH ANTELOES (2-0)
(Last Week: #2) (This Week:

#3) LAUREL SPARTANS (2-0)
(Last Week: #5) (This Week:

#4) SPRINGDALE DYNAMOS (2-0)
(Last Week: #4) (This Week:

#5) SERRA CATHOLIC EAGLES (2-0)
(Last Week: #4) (This Week:

#6) CLAIRTON BEARS (1-1)
(Last Week: #7) (This Week:

#7 FORT CHERRY RANGERS (2-0)
(Last Week #10) (This Week:

#8) SOUTH SIDE BEAVER RAMS (2-0)
(Last Week: Unranked) (This Week:

#9) MONACA INDIANS (1-1)
(Last Week: #8) (This Week:

#10) NORTH CATHOLIC TROJANS (1-1)
(Last Week: #6) (This Week:

OUT OF A TOP TEN: NONE

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September 05, 2009
Fence Collapses, Students Injured At Football Game
North Hills

Moments before the opening kickoff to the high school football season on Friday night, a fence collapsed, sending students falling from the stands at North Hills’ Martorelli Stadium.

Channel 4’s Jon Greiner reported that at least four students were injured when they fell onto the concrete while crowding together to have their picture taken.

WATCH JON'S REPORT FROM MARTORELLI STADIUM

“Basically, what happened is we were just here having a good time just leaning on the railing -- no big deal. Next thing you know it collapsed. Everyone was all over it right away, but it was a scary thing, there's no doubt about it,” said witness Tom Sullivan.

Student Kevin Costa was one of the students who took the fall.

"We were all leaning up against the fence here, came up for some pictures, (but there was a) little too much weight on the fence, a little too many people. The whole thing collapsed. Everything came down right about here," said Kevin Costa, a student who was injured.

Costa’s blood could be seen on the concrete as he told Greiner what happened.

Two students were transported to the hospital, but neither was believed to be seriously injured.

The school district did not comment on the incident.

The North Hills Indians would lose their season opener 17-16 to the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils.

Read Sideline Reporter Jess Grom's Recap

Video From The Game:

Highlights

North Hills Band Performs

Mt. Lebanon Band Performs

1-on-1 With North Hills Defensive Coordinator Pat Carey

More North Hills:

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North Hills Cheerleaders

North Hills vs Shaler

North Allegheny vs North Hills

Seneca Valley vs North Hills

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Football Highlights

North Hills Fan of the Game 8/31/2007

North Hills Fan of the Week 8/31/2007

8/31 Game of the Week

Shaler at North Hills 9.28.07

North Allegheny vs. Penn Hills at North Hills

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August 04, 2009
Local Prep Football Players Gaining Attention

The WPIAL has yet to begin its 2009 football season, but for some of its best players, there's already plenty of action. From the Class of 2010 recruiting to the young upstarts, there is plenty to be excited about before the opening kickoff.

Hopewell sophomore Rushel Shell is already on the radar of most national prep scouting services. MaxPreps, who named Shell their National Freshman of the Year last season, has selected him as one of the top 100 sophomores in the country, along with the sons of NFL superstars Barry Sanders and Deion Sanders.

Shell, a 6'0", 210-pound running back, rushed for 1,156 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, despite becoming a starter at midseason. He is a rare combination of size, speed and strength: he is said to run the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds and can bench press 300 pounds.

Penn Hills had a great run last season with an 8-4 record and the Class AAAA Big East Conference championship, before falling to Gateway in the league semifinals. This year, they have a rich crop of talent among the area's best that will make them a contender again this season.

Senior defensive tackle Aaron Donald (6'0", 260) returns to anchor the defensive line, having posted 14 sacks as a junior. He has been timed at 4.9 seconds in the 40 and has verbally committed to Pitt.

The Panthers also have their eyes on two of Donald's teammates: wide receiver/defensive back park Cullen Christian and Brandon Ifill. Both have been courted by a number of Division I schools, including Michigan, Maryland, UCLA and Rutgers.

Christian (6'1", 180) will play at receiver and safety this season, and is said to favor Michigan. Ifill (6'0", 180) has attracted schools as both a receiver and defensive back, and has very impressive speed; he was a member of the WPIAL champion 400-meter relay team this past spring.

Defense might be the name of the game at Canon-McMillan this season, led by lineman Alex Pihakis and linbackers Mike Hull and Chad Hagan. All three have big-time talent, and are expected to make a big impact for new head coach Guy Montecalvo.

Pihakis (5'10", 235) is already the school's single-season and career sack leader, and is headed to Division I-AA Delaware. Hagan (6'2", 230) has the speed to play defensive back (he runs the 40 in 4.3 seconds) and is leaning heavily toward Ohio State, while Hull (6'1", 220) has committed to Penn State to play either linebacker or strong safety.

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