Monday's Westmoreland County Sports Notebook
Written by: Sean Meyers
November 30, 2020
Tags: Roberto Smith Brad Birch Jimmy Sanders Toby Cline Brett Birch Ryan Crombie Nate Loughner Jack McKenzie Xavier Solomon Jackson Kerrigan Allen Rider Vinny Amatucci Sydney Lindeman
Turnovers doom Jeannette in PIAA Championship defeat
In a turnover-filled contest, Jeannette committed two costly miscues in the fourth quarter that proved the difference, as Steelton-Highspire claimed a 32-20 win against the Jayhawks in the PIAA Class 1A Championship in Hershey on Friday. Jeannette senior Roberto Smith Jr. nearly had a historic performance, as he was 22-of-42 passing for 382 yards, which was one yard shy of the all-time mark in a state championship game, along with two touchdowns. Smith, who played running back most of the season before shifting to QB two weeks ago following an injury to freshman Brad Birch, threw four interceptions, though, including a pair that were returned by the Steamrollers for touchdowns. The first pick-six, a 79-yard return by Daivin Pryor, gave Steelton-Highspire a 24-14 advantage. Jeannette responded quickly, however, with a long kickoff return on a reverse, followed by a 47-yard TD pass from Smith to Jimmy Sanders. With S-H trying to preserve the win, Jeannette’s defense forced a turnover on a fumble recovery. After the teams exchanged turnovers on a wild sequence, Jeannette (10-2) drove into Steamrollers’ territory, but Smith’s pass was tipped and snagged by Damien Hammond on a 74-yard return that sealed the outcome. In addition to Smith’s prolific showing, Toby Cline hauled in seven passes for 149 yards, Sanders had five grabs for 112 yards, and Brett Birch had six receptions for 98 yards. Jeannette also forced five turnovers, but Steelton-Highspire (10-0) received a 201-yard rushing performance by Odell Greene, while Division I prospect Mehki Flowers produced a 50-yard touchdown reception. Jeannette finished as the PIAA runners up for the second time in team history, while Steelton-Highspire claimed its third state crown.
Penn-Trafford hockey rolls to win, Greater Latrobe edged
The Penn-Trafford hockey team scored a lopsided win last Tuesday, as the host Warriors rolled past Hampton 8-2 at the Center Ice Arena in Delmont. Penn-Trafford, which improved to 3-1-0 on the campaign, second seven times over the final two periods, and outshot the Talbots 43-20 for the game. Ryan Crombie and Nate Loughner each tallied hat tricks, while Jack McKenzie had two goals and three assists, and Xavier Solomon added four assists. Jackson Kerrigan earned the win in net, making 18 stops for PT. Meanwhile, the Wildcats dropped a tight contest against Thomas Jefferson 2-1 last Monday. Playing at home, Greater Latrobe was limited to just 11 shots, while the Jaguars fired 30 on net. TJ scored both of its goals in the opening period, while Allen Rider netted the lone goal for the Wildcats with just six seconds left in regulation. In the setback, Vinny Amatucci made 28 saves for GL, which dropped to 2-2-0. Penn-Trafford and Greater Latrobe square off in Class AA Southeast Division play on Tuesday at Center Ice Arena, in a game that will be broadcast on the Westmoreland Sports Network at 6:30 p.m.
FR soccer standout Lindeman makes commitment
Sydney Lindeman, a junior who excelled on the pitch for Franklin Regional this fall, recently made her college commitment. Lindeman, a midfielder, pledged to Towson University last Wednesday. This past campaign, Lindeman led the Panthers with 12 goals, and she added three assists. She also helped guide the team to a mark of 11-2-1, including a playoff win against South Fayette, before the Panthers fell to Montour 1-0 in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals.