Wildcats football inches closer to playoffs

Playing a rare Saturday game, Greater Latrobe football boosted its playoff hopes with a convincing 49-21 triumph at Connellsville Area in the Class 5A Big East Conference. AJ Yeboah had another strong effort for the Wildcats, rushing 14 times for 142 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, GL quarterback Dom Scarton connected on 9-of-12 passes for 133 yards and two scores while adding a rushing touchdown, Alex Amond hauled in two TD passes, and Drew Blossey rushed for one touchdown and threw another. In the defeat, Linkon Keller had a robust performance, rushing 42 times for 305 yards and a pair of scores. Thus, the Wildcats moved to 6-2 overall, and 4-1 in the conference. They can clinch a playoff spot with a win at home against Penn-Trafford in the regular-season finale on Oct. 30, if Woodland Hills defeats Penn-Trafford this week, or if Gateway drops either of its remaining conference tilts. The Wildcats host Hempfield Area this Friday at 7 p.m. in a nonconference clash. On the other side, the Falcons dipped to 3-5 on the year, and 0-4 in conference action.

LV football moves to 8-0

Ligonier Valley stayed perfect on the season, knocking off South Allegheny 28-12 in a Class 2A Allegheny Conference battle at Weller Field on Friday. The homestanding Rams moved to 8-0 overall, including 4-0 in the conference. They were led by QB Levi Foust, who threw for 94 yards and two scores, while also rushing for 140 yards and another touchdown. Blake Hitt added 96 yards on the ground and he scored twice for LV. Malacki Myers threw for 170 yards and rushed for 83 in the defeat for the Gladiators, who dipped to 4-4 on the year, and 3-1 in the conference slate. In their penultimate game of the regular season, the Rams will face a stiff test on the road against Steel Valley on Friday at 7 p.m.

Nine Westmoreland girls soccer teams clinch

As the high school girls soccer regular season winds down this week, nine Westmoreland County teams have secured their spots in the WPIAL playoffs. In Class 4A, Norwin is in. The Knights finished in second place in Section 1, with a mark of 8-1-1. In Class 3A, Penn-Trafford, Greater Latrobe, Franklin Regional, and Belle Vernon Area have all secured their spots. The Warriors lead Section 4 at 9-0-2, while the Wildcats sit in third with a mark of 6-2-3, and the Panthers are one spot behind at 5-4-2. From Section 3, the Leopards finished in second place at 7-1-2. In Class 2A, Yough, Mount Pleasant Area, Southmoreland, and Burrell have all punched their tickets. The Cougars lead Section 4, boasting a record of 11-0-0. The Vikings sit in second at 8-2-1, while the Scotties reside in fourth place with a mark of 5-5-0. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers pace Section 2 at 9-0-2. Moreover, Kiski Area remains in playoff contention from Class 3A Section 4, as the Cavaliers would notch a postseason berth with a win at Greensburg Salem tonight coupled with a loss by Franklin Regional against Plum.

Norwin XC dominates at WCCA event

The annual Westmoreland County Coaches Association (WCCA) Track and Field Championships belonged to Norwin last Wednesday, as the Knights took the team title on both the boys and girls sides, claiming an individual boys winner in the process at Westmoreland County Community College. Knights junior Will Little won the boys race with a time of 16:33.4, finishing ahead of teammate Declan O’Donnell, who timed 16:40.0. Fellow Norwin runners Ranson Gaydos, Alexander Barrett, and Ben McBride rounded out the top five, as the Knights posted a dominant team score of 15, well ahead of Greater Latrobe and Hempfield Area, which each compiled 66 points. In the girls competition, Franklin Regional freshman Bryn Westerman crossed the finish line first, clocking in at 18:37.6. well ahead of Norwin’s Anna Dansak, who finished at 19:24.6. However, the Knights won the team event with ease, scoring 29 points, with Kiski Area placing second with 59 points.

Griffins edges Gannon on gridiron

Seton Hill University claimed its third win of the season on Saturday in a tightly-contested battle at Gannon University, as the Griffins used a fourth-quarter score to prevail 21-17. A 15-yard touchdown pass from Boden St. Marie to Reginald Hunter with 12:38 left in the game proved the difference for Seton Hill after the Golden Knights had scored 17 unanswered points. St. Marie finished 20-of-26 through the air for 190 yards and three scores, along with one interception. Jayden Llanos was his top target, posting six receptions for 80 yards and a score, while DaShaun Williams had 22 carries for 89 yards. With the triumph, Seton Hill moved to 3-4 overall, including 2-2 in the PSAC West. The Griffs will host Clarion University at Offutt Field on Saturday at 4 p.m.