Spartans football wins OT thriller

Carden Lippmann scored the winning touchdown in overtime, giving Hempfield Area a 38-34 victory against Canon-McMillan in a Class 6A showdown on Friday. Lippmann went 21-of-30 passing for 340 yards and three scores, and he rushed 20 times for 87 yards, including the decisive TD. Andrew Bentz caught five passes for 121 yards and two scores for the Spartans, and he also scored a rushing TD, while Lucas Simmons hauled in six passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Lippmann’s overtime heroics came after the Big Macs tied the game with 25 seconds left and took the lead on a field goal in OT. Ty Jansma threw for 180 yards and two scores in the defeat, Roman Cimarolli caught four balls for 113 yards and two TDs, and Bryce Collins rushed for 154 yards and a score. As a result, the Spartans moved to 2-3 overall, and 1-1 in Class 6A, which matches the Big Macs record in the conference.

Ligonier Valley football notches 500th victory

Ligonier Valley football achieved a milestone on Friday, as the Rams captured their 500th victory. The Rams clicked on all cylinders to stay perfect with a 52-12 home win against Carlynton in a nonconference game. LV signal caller Levi Foust threw for 217 yards and four scores, and he added 102 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for the Rams. Additionally, Anthony Petalino caught five passes for 128 yards and three scores against the Cougars. At 5-0 overall, Ligonier Valley is one of two remaining undefeated teams in Westmoreland County.

Willie Thrower chosen for PA Sports HOF

Legendary New Kensington quarterback Willie Thrower was posthumously enshrined in the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday. The event took place at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, King of Prussia, with Thrower’s son, Melvin, representing him. Thrower was the first African-American QB to take a snap in an NFL game. Prior to his professional career, he led New Kensington High School to back-to-back WPIAL Championships in 1946 and 47, as well as a runner-up finish in 1945. He also won an NCAA Championship at Michigan State in 1952.

Franklin Regional, PT boys soccer showdown yields draw

Two of the best WPIAL Class 3A boys soccer teams did battle in Westmoreland County last Thursday, as host Penn-Trafford and Franklin Regional played to a scoreless tie. As a result, the teams remain deadlocked atop the top of the Class 3A Section 1 standings, with matching marks of 5-0-1. PT’s Santino Caruso and FR’s Ethan Terek each collected the clean sheet, with Caruso making four saves, and Terek stopping one shot on frame. Following that outcome, the Panthers notched another tie, 1-1, at home against Plum on Saturday, pushing the FR record to 7-1-2 overall. The Warriors, who are 6-2-1 overall, host Greensburg Salem on Tuesday.

SHU’s Caplinger wins weekly award

Seton Hill University women’s soccer player Rhys Caplinger was selected last Monday as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Defensive Player of the Week. The senior goalie garnered the honors for Week 4, as she went 1-0-1, including a shutout win against Slippery Rock University, which is the top team in the PSAC West. During the week, Caplinger allowed just one goal while making eight saves. Caplinger, who has played every minute in net this season, has helped the Griffins achieve an overall mark of 4-4-2, including 4-2-2 in the PSAC.