Hempfield Area 28 Penn-Trafford 17   (HA: 5-0; PT: 3-2)   WATCH BROADCAST

The Spartans scored 21 unanswered points, including a pair of touchdowns on fourth down in the second half, to defeat Penn-Trafford 28-17 in the Class 5A Big East Conference opener for both teams. A 42-yard connection from Jake Phillips to Ian Tuffs was the decisive score late in the third quarter, and the host Spartans added a fourth-quarter score on a 31-yard pass from Phillips to Anthony Vallano. Phillips was 10-of-18 passing for 146 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and he also rushed for a TD. Eli Binakonsky paced the Spartans on the ground, as he rushed five times for 53 yards and a TD. In the setback, the Warriors received a big performance from Tommy Kalkstein, as he rushed 16 times for 168 yards and a touchdown. PT, which scored all 17 of its points in the second quarter, also had a 22-yard touchdown pass from Conlan Greene to Tasso Whipple.

Belle Vernon Area 21 Thomas Jefferson 7   (BVA: 2-2; TJ: 3-2)

Quinton Martin recorded a 97-yard punt return score, while Jake Gedekoh scored two touchdowns to guide the Leopards to a 21-7 road win at Thomas Jefferson in a marquee nonconference tilt. Martin’s long TD opened the scoring in the first quarter, and Gedekoh added a 15-yard run later in the stanza. The Leopards added to their lead in the third, as Braden Laux hooked up with Gedekoh on a 50-yard pass. Martin was limited to just 19 yards rushing. The lone TJ score came on a pass from Brody Evans to Ryan Lawry in the fourth. Evans passed for 120 yards for the Jags, while Elias Lippencott led their ground game with 82 yards rushing. Defensively for the Leopards, Adam LaCarte made 11 tackles, while Alonzo Wade notched an interception.

Apollo-Ridge 49 Derry Area 14   (AR: 3-2; DA: 0-5)   WATCH BROADCAST

The host Trojans were unable to slow down Apollo-Ridge running Dom Curci, as he rushed 17 times for 172 yards and two scores, leading the Vikings to a 49-14 victory in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference. Derry Area’s touchdowns, both of which came in the second quarter, came on a 16-yard pass from Blake Revoir to Roman Darazio and on a 3-yard connection from Mason Beeman to Jordan Flack.

Charleroi 24 Jeannette 20   (CHA: 1-3; JEA: 1-4)   LISTEN BROADCAST

The Jayhawks suffered their second narrow defeat of the season, as host Charleroi scored a 24-20 nonconference victory. Jeannette QB Payton Molter was 12-of-16 passing for 147 yards and a touchdown, and he amassed 78 yards and a score on 15 rushing attempts. His top target was Noah Sanders, who snagged six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. Jackson Keranko was 5-of-8 passing for 104 yards and a TD for the Cougars, while Gianni Pellegrini rushed seven times for 119 yards and a score.

Woodland Hills 25 Norwin 0   (WH: 3-2; NOR: 1-4)

Woodland Hills scored all of its points in the second and third quarters, as the Wolverines blanked the homestanding Knights 25-0 in a Class 5A nonconference clash. The Wolverines outgained the Knights 286-63. Tristyn Tavares was 4-of-7 passing for 61 yards and an interception for Norwin, while Nick Urey was 5-of-10 for 29 yards. Christian Beck compiled just 19 yards rushing, while Jackson Pons was the top receiver, with four grabs for 57 yards, while he also posted a team-best eight tackles. Frankie Keyes scored three TDs for the Wolverines, while Amere Brown caught a long touchdown pass from Cam Walter.

Laurel Highlands 10 Greater Latrobe 7   (LH: 3-2; GL: 2-3)

Robby Fulton rushed 23 times for 130 yards and scored a TD for the Wildcats, but that was the only score for Greater Latrobe, as Laurel Highlands edged the host Wildcats 10-7 in Class 4A Big Seven Conference play. Fulton’s TD came on a 13-yard run, while Rodney Gallagher hit Keondre DeShields for a 22-yard touchdown for the Mustangs. The decisive points came on a second-quarter field goal from 39 yard by Harry Radcliffe. Gallagher finished with 120 yards passing and 76 yards rushing, while DeShields caught nine passes for 97 yards.

Steel Valley 48 Ligonier Valley 0   (SV: 4-0; LV: 3-2)

The host Rams had no answers against Steel Valley, as the Ironmen cruised to a 48-0 victory against Ligonier Valley in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference clash. Steel Valley QB Cruce Brookins was 9-of-10 passing for 122 yards and a touchdown, and he added two scores on the ground. Meanwhile, Donald Barksdale rushed seven times for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Burrell 42 Yough 6   (BURR: 4-1; YOU: 2-3)

After dropping their conference opener to Serra Catholic last week, the Buccaneers enjoyed their top scoring output of the season, as they defended their home field with a 42-6 win against Yough in Class 2A Allegheny Conference action. Devin Beattie rushed 16 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns for Burrell.

North Catholic 33 Kiski Area 21   (NC: 3-2; KA: 0-5)

The Cavaliers had their best offensive output of the season, but Kiski Area remained winless with a 33-21 loss to host North Catholic in Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference play. Carson Heinle played QB, and he accounted for a pair of touchdowns, as he hit Dom DiNinno on a 42-yard score, and added a 14-yard rushing TD. Heinle hit on 10-of-18 passes for 129 yards. Additionally, Connor Flemm notched a rushing touchdown for the Cavaliers, but they could not contain Jack Fennell, who rushed for 170 yards and three scores for the Trojans.

East Allegheny 42 Greensburg Salem 21   (EA: 4-1; GS: 3-2)

The Golden Lions were unable to overcome a 17-0 deficit in the opening quarter, as Greensburg Salem fell at home to East Allegheny 42-21 in a nonconference clash. Cody Rubrecht continued to anchor the offensive attack for GS, as the QB was 7-of-21 passing for 142 yards and two scores, and he rushed 21 times for 150 yards and another touchdown. His scoring passes went to Christian Hostetler on a 25-yard connection, and a 55-yard strike to Keegan Young. Trey Jeter paced the Wildcats with seven rushes for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Freeport Area 24 Mount Pleasant 6   (FA: 4-1; MP: 3-2)

Although Robbie Labuda posted another strong statline, the Vikings were stifled in a 24-6 road loss against Freeport Area in a nonconference contest. Labuda rushed 18 times for 123 yards, but was held out of the endzone for Mount Pleasant Area. Similarly, QB Cole Chatfield was 10-of-15 passing for 118 yards, but no touchdowns and one interception. Ethan Eicher accounted for the only Mount Pleasant touchdown, a 13-yard run in the fourth quarter. Gavin Croney threw for 168 yards for the Yellowjackets, while Brady Sullivan chipped in with four catches for 84 yards and a score.

Deer Lakes 9 Southmoreland 0   (DL: 2-3; SOU: 2-3)

The Lancers blanked the host Scotties 9-0 in a nonconference showdown. Zier Williams registered the only touchdown for Deer Lakes, while Mason Metzer booted a field goal for the Lancers.

Greensburg Central Catholic 69 Springdale 6   (GCC: 3-2; SPR: 0-5)

The Centurions exploded for 42 points in the first quarter and went on to defeat Springdale in a route 69-6 in the Centurions' Class 1A Eastern Conference opener on the road. Dasjon Craggette ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns to pace GCC. Also scoring rushing touchdowns were Jaydin Canady, Amari Mack, Shane Swope and Landon Honick. Tyree Turner completed four passes for 96 yards and a score. Samir Crosby threw a touchdown pass and returned an interception to the endzone for Central.

Valley 20 Uniontown Area 13   (VALL: 0-5; UA: 2-3)

The Vikings notched their first win of the season, edging homestanding Uniontown Area 20-13 in a nonconference matchup. In the process, first-year head coach Dave Heavner earned his first win at his alma mater.

Monessen 28 California Area 0   (MON: 3-2; CAL: 4-1)

The Greyhounds stunned previously-unbeaten California Area, as Monessen prevailed at home 28-0 in a Class 1A Tri-County South Conference clash. Daevon Burke scored three rushing touchdowns.

Week 4 Westmoreland County Stars

Devin Beattie (Burrell) - 16 att. for 121 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Dasjon Craggette (Greensburg CC) - 7 att. for 108 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Jake Phillips (Hempfield Area) - 10-18 for 146 yds. passing, 2 TD's; 1 rushing TD

Tommy Kalkstein (Penn-Trafford) - 16 att. for 168 yds. rushing, 1 TD

Jake Gedekoh (Belle Vernon) - 1 rushing TD; 1 receiving TD

Payton Molter (Jeannette) - 12-16 for 147 yds. passing, 1 TD; 78 yds. rushing, 1 TD

Ayden Hudock (Franklin Regional) - 2 rushing TD's; 1 receiving TD

Roman Sarnic (Franklin Regional) - 1 passing TD; 3 rushing TD's

Robby Fulton (Latrobe) - 23 att. for 130 yds. rushing, 1 TD

Carson Heinle (Kiski Area) - 10-18 for 129 yds. passing, 2 TD's

Cody Rubrecht (Greensburg Salem) - 7-21 for 142 yds. passing, 2 TD's; 150 yds. rushing, 1 TD

Robbie Labuda (Mount Pleasant) - 18 att. for 123 yds. rushing