Hempfield Area 45 Greensburg Salem 6   (HA: 1-0; GS: 0-1)   WATCH BROADCAST

A hat trick of touchdowns from Rogan Katchur and an opportunistic defense catapulted the Spartans to a 45-6 mercy-rule victory at home against Greensburg Salem to commence the season. Katchur rushed just five times for 48 yards, but registered three TDs to lead the Spartans (1-0). A short run by Katchur opened the scoring, and Hempfield Area extended to a 14-0 edge on a pass from Keiran Lippmann to Nicholas Marquis. Playing without starting QB Peyton Chismar, the Golden Lions received their lone score on a 50-yard pass from Adam Dipasquale to Julian Stevens late in the second quarter. However, the Spartans snagged three interceptions, including a pick-six by Anthony Puskar, and enacted the running clock in the second half.

Thomas Jefferson 42 Franklin Regional 7   (TJ: 1-0; FR: 0-1)   WATCH BROADCAST

The Panthers were overmatched at home in a 42-7 setback against powerhouse Thomas Jefferson. A QB rotation proved fruitful for the Jaguars (1-0), who utilized both Brody Evans and Luke Kosko behind center. Regardless of the quarterback, the Panthers had no answer for Sean Sullivan, who caught six passes for 145 yards. Michael Banda scored three touchdowns for TJ, while Elias Lippincott scored twice more. The Panthers (0-1) scored their only TD on a 32-yard pass from Chase Lemke to Ayden Hudock in the opening quarter, but the Jags subsequently scored 28 unanswered points to seal the outcome.

Greater Latrobe 56 Derry Area 14   (GL: 1-0; DA: 0-1)   WATCH BROADCAST

The Wildcats dominated, leading 42-0 at the half and cruising to a 56-14 win at home against rival Derry Area. Greater Latrobe (1-0) quarterback John Wetzel tossed four touchdowns, and he plucked an interception on defense. Wetzel passed for 125 yards in the opening half, while Jack Drnjevich and JaTawn Williams each notched a pair of touchdowns for GL. A bright spot for the Trojans (0-1) came on a 72-yard connection from Mason Beeman to Demauri Robinson in the second half.

Canon-McMillan 14 Penn-Trafford 0   (CM: 1-0; PT: 0-1)   WATCH BROADCAST

The Warriors were stifled by Canon-McMillan’s defense, as the Big Macs used a defensive score to secure a 14-0 win at Penn-Trafford. Although the game was scoreless well into the third quarter, Canon Mac struck first on a 93-yard fumble return by Jayden Baxter after the Warriors (0-1) entered the red zone. That score stood until the final minutes, when Zach Welsh ripped off a 93-yard scamper to put the Big Macs (1-0) ahead by two scores. Carmen Metcalfe caught seven passes for 93 yards in the defeat for PT, while QB Jonny Lovre was 17-of-31 for 214 yards.

Upper St. Clair 24 Norwin 21   (USC: 1-0; NOR: 0-1)   LISTEN BROADCAST

The Knights held a fourth-quarter lead, but Upper St. Clair scored the final touchdown to claim a 24-21 home victory. Norwin received a strong effort from QB Tristan Tavares, who amassed 213 yards and three touchdowns through the air for the Knights (0-1). The Panthers (1-0), conversely, prevailed on a fourth-quarter connection from Ethan Hellmann to Charlie Bywalski on a 6-yard pass. Hellmann threw for 198 yards and a pair of scores in the triumph for USC.

Greensburg Central Catholic 37 Mount Pleasant Area 24   (GCC: 1-0; MP: 0-1)

Samir Crosby impacted the game in a multitude of ways, leading the host Centurions to a 37-24 victory against Mount Pleasant Area in a Westmoreland County clash. Crosby caught seven passes for 153 yards, threw a touchdown, and snagged two interceptions in leading GCC (1-0). Tyree Turner, who got the bulk of the snap at QB, hit on 14-of-16 passes for 243 yards and a pair of scores, while Evan Stasko caught a touchdown pass. Garrett Eicher provided a pair of TDs and 83 yards on the ground for the Vikings (0-1), but five turnovers, including two interceptions thrown by Cole Chatfield, loomed large.

Jeannette 16 Burrell 13   (JEA: 1-0; BUR: 0-1)

A pair of fourth-quarter scores, including a 21-yard field goal by Austin Emery in the final minute, allowed Jeannette to edge homestanding Burrell 16-13. Emery’s kick broke a tie after Payton Molter’s 1-yard run pulled the Jayhawks (1-1) even earlier in the frame. Molter also registered a 22-yard TD run to put Jeannette on the board, and he led the team with 94 yards on the ground. His performance negated the strong effort by Devin Beattie, who had 27 carries for 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Noah Sanders recovered a fumble and Jayce Powell snagged an interception for Jeannette defensively.

Plum 28 Kiski Area 18   (PLU: 1-0; KA: 0-1)

Despite a three-touchdown effort from quarterback Carson Heinle, Kiski Area suffered a 28-18 home loss against Plum. Heinle rushed for a pair of scores, compiling 22 attempts for 120 yards, while he also threw for 108 yards and a TD for the Cavs (0-1). However, Darian Nelson propelled the Mustangs (1-0) with three touchdowns, including a pair of receptions from Sean Franzi and a 2-yard run in the fourth. Nick Odom amassed 149 yards rushing and a score for Plum.

Southmoreland 34 McGuffey 7   (SOU: 1-0; McG: 0-1)

Da’sjon Craggette exploded for 217 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Scotties to a 34-7 home victory against McGuffey. Craggette, who transferred in from Greensburg Central Catholic, helped Southmoreland (1-0) score all of its points in the second half. Additionally, Kadin Keefer hooked up with Wyatt Richter for a passing score and the Southmoreland QB also found paydirt on an 8-yard run.

Ligonier Valley 28 Springdale 14   (LV: 1-0; SPR: 0-1)

John Jablunovsky was stellar offensively for the Rams, as he propelled Ligonier Valley to a 28-14 home victory against Springdale. Jablunovsky rushed 21 times for 208 yards, scoring three touchdowns for the Rams (1-0). The Dynamos (1-0) were paced by Brayden Laynew, who compiled 113 yards rushing and a score.

South Allegheny 28 Yough 14   (SA: 1-0; YOU: 0-1)

The Cougars were ousted at home by South Allegheny 28-14 to commence the season. Raidon Kuroda and Julian Varrenti each found paydirt on the ground for the Cougars (0-1), while Cam Epps compiled 226 yards and three touchdowns for the Gladiators (1-0).

Week 0 Westmoreland County Stars

John Jablunovsky (Ligonier Valley) - 21 att. for 208 yds. rushing, 3 TD's

Da'Sjon Craggette (Southmoreland) - 13 att. for 217 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Carson Heinle (Kiski Area) - 13-21 for 109 yds. passing, 1 TD; 119 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Tyree Turner (Greensburg CC) - 14-16 for 243 yds. passing, 2 TD's; 2 rushing TD's

Samir Crosby (Greensburg CC) - 7 rec. for 153 yds. receiving, 1 TD; 1 passing TD

Devin Beattie (Burrell) - 27 att. for 121 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Tristyn Tavares (Norwin) - 12-27 for 213 yds. passing, 3 TD's

Jackson Pons (Norwin) - 4 rec. for 75 yds. receiving, 2 TD's

Rogan Katchur - 5 att. for 48 yards rushing, 3 TD's

John Wetzel (Latrobe) - 6-10 for 136 yds. passing, 4 TD's

Carmen Metcalf (Penn-Trafford) - 7 rec. for 93 yds. receiving