Panthers complete epic comeback against Greater Latrobe

Facing a 40-14 deficit on Friday, Franklin Regional scored 27 unanswered points to stun host Greater Latrobe 41-40 in a crucial conference game. The Panthers capped the comeback with less than two minutes left on a 20-yard pass from QB Connor Donnelly to Caden Smith, and Joe Bayne converted the subsequent extra point. FR’s herculean comeback began on the final play of the first half, when the Panthers used a hook-and-lateral play, as QB Connor Donnelly connected with Maddox Morrison, followed by an immediate pitch to Tyler Bewszka, who then went 35 yards for the touchdown. Bewszka also provided a third-quarter touchdown run, while Donnelly added a 3-yard run to pull his team within one score. With the win, the Panthers improved to 2-1 in the Class 5A Big East, putting them into a tie for second place, and the inside track at one of the four playoff spots. The Wildcats, who are 1-2 and tied for fourth in the conference, scored all of their points in the first half. Quarterback Bobby Fetter passed for 126 yards and rushed for 102 yards, totaling three touchdowns, while Kyle Brewer hauled in four passes for 100 yards, added another 65 on the ground, and notched two TDs.

Warriors, Leopards football secure postseason berths

Although two weeks still remain in the WPIAL football regular season, a pair of Westmoreland County teams are already locked into the playoffs. Courtesy of their victories last week, Penn-Trafford and Belle Vernon Area clinched in their respective classifications. The Warriors scored a lopsided win 45-6 at Connellsville Area last week, improving to 3-0 in the Class 5A Big East Conference. With one more victory, the Warriors would secure at least a share of the conference title. PT hosts Franklin Regional this week, and finishes the regular season at Greater Latrobe. The Leopards moved to 5-0 in the Class 4A Big Eight Conference with their 49-0 win at home against Trinity last week. Belle Vernon Area holds a half-game lead over McKeesport Area in the conference. Idle this week, the Leopards would win the conference title with a victory against the Tigers in the regular-season finale.

GCC girls golf wins 7th straight WPIAL title

For the seventh year in a row, the Greensburg Central Catholic girls golf team reigned supreme in the district. Greensburg Central Catholic has claimed gold every season dating back to 2015, when the girls program came into existence. The Centurions captured the 2021 Class AA team title in convincing fashion, finishing 49 strokes ahead of second-place finisher Central Valley on Thursday at Cedarbrook Red Golf Course in Belle Vernon. GCC carded a score of 332, while the Warriors shot 381. Mount Pleasant Area finished third, with 433. Greensburg Central Catholic senior Meghan Zambruno led the way with a round of 72, her twin sister Ella shot 83, and sophomores Izzy Aigner and Liv Kana shot 85 and 92, respectively. Greensburg Central Catholic advances to the PIAA Class AA Championship at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York on Oct. 25.

Seven area volleyball teams clinch playoff spots

With approximately one week remaining in the regular season, seven area girls volleyball squads have clinched postseason berths. In Class 4A, Penn-Trafford and Greater Latrobe have both qualified from Section 3. In Class 3A, Franklin Regional and Kiski Area have both punched their tickets in Section 1. In Class 2A, Southmoreland has qualified from Section 3, while Derry Area has also secured a spot in Section 5. Lastly, in Class 1A Section 4, Greensburg Central Catholic has clinched a playoff bid. Thursday marks the final day of section matches.

UPG women’s tennis wins conference title

The University of Pitt – Greensburg women’s tennis team captured the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Tournament Championship on Sunday. The Bobcats won their first AMCC title courtesy of a 5-4 win against Penn State Behrend. UPG’s match victories came via the doubles teams of Cathryn Rossi and Isabella Lane (8-7 tiebreaker) and Abigail Rosman and Amber Sterrett (8-3), as well as singles wins from Lane (4-6, 6-3, 7-3), Sterrett (6-2, 6-3), and Rosman (6-4, 7-5). UPG, which improved to 10-3 overall, automatically qualifies for the NCAA Division III Tournament, which will take place in May.