Warriors football outpaces Spartans in Saturday showdown

Penn-Trafford set the tone early, and an explosive offense carried the Warriors to a 51-29 triumph at Hempfield Area in a rare Saturday high school football contest. Kason Offield returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a score for PT (2-0), while Nick Ponko posted six receptions for 83 yards, including four TD catches. Moreover, Ben Grabowski threw for 131 yards and two scores, while adding 125 yards on the ground, and Cody Yacamelli had 78 yards rushing and two scores, and he also had a TD pass. In the defeat for the Spartans (0-2), Carden Lippmann went 21-of-43 for 313 yards, tossing a couple of scores and two picks. Lucas Simmons caught eight passes for 127 yards, and Andrew Bentz had two rushing scores for Hempfield.

Jeannette’s Simmons diagnosed with cancer

Jeannette football played with extra motivation on Friday, as the Jayhawks were honored their teammate who is battling cancer. Junior Dane Simmons was diagnosed with leukemia following a spinal injury he suffered in Jeannette’s season opener. While he was cleared of damage for the spinal injury, doctors discovered cancer during the testing. With Simmons’ No. 60 on their helmets on Friday at Southmoreland, the Jayhawks blanked the Scotties 33-0. Hunter Schaeffer produced a fumble return score to put the Jayhawks on the board early, while also catching three passes for 114 yards and another score. Moreover, Jayce Powell registered 108 yards rushing and a score, and also hauled in a touchdown reception.

Greensburg Salem’s Sikora captures WCCA golf title

Luke Sikora continued to cement himself as one of the best golfers in Westmoreland County, as the Greensburg Salem junior won the Westmoreland County Coaches Association (WCCA) Boys Golf Tournament on Friday. Competing at the Latrobe Elks Golf Club, Sikora carded a three-under par 69, winning by a stroke. Sikora, who finished as the runner-up via scorecard playoff as a freshman in 2024, outlasted Kiski Area junior Brady Jankowski, who shot 70. Greater Latrobe’s Jaxon Makrevski and Jacob Pozek of Franklin Regional each fired a round of 75, with Makrevski winning the scorecard playoff. In the team competition, Greater Latrobe and Kiski Area each carded 394 in the Class 3A bracket, with the Wildcats winning in a playoff, while Mount Pleasant Area took first in Class 2A, compiling a score of 421. Several teams were unable to compete in the event, including Penn-Trafford, Norwin, and Hempfield Area in Class 3A, along with Greensburg Central Catholic, Derry Area, Jeannette, Ligonier Valley, Valley, and the Kiski School in 2A.

Leopards boys soccer starts fast

Belle Vernon Area boys soccer had a stellar first week of the season, as the Leopards went 3-0-1, including a signature win against Greater Latrobe. The 3-1 triumph against the Wildcats took place at home last Monday, as Gavin Metzger, Landon Bell, and Carter Schultz all tallied, while Nolan Thomas had the lone marker for GL. The next day, BVA overmatched Ligonier Valley 7-1 in a Class 2A Section 5 matchups, as Anthony Sawa provided a brace for the homestanding Leps. Hosting the Belle Vernon Tournament over the weekend, the Leps edged Laurel Highlands 2-1 on Saturday, and then tied Thomas Jefferson 1-1 on Sunday.

SVC football dominant in opener

Saint Vincent College football opened its season in emphatic fashion on Saturday, as the host Bearcats destroyed Hilbert College 60-6. SVC quarterback Jack Phillips had an epic performance, completing 19-of-25 throws for 303 yards and six touchdowns, along with one interception, while he also rushed for a score. Jakub Pickett paced Bearcats’ receivers with 97 yards and three scores on three receptions, while Ian Tuffs had six catches for 88 yards and a TD and Chris Downs contributed 65 yards and a pair of touchdowns. A couple of Bearcats also surpassed 100 yards on the ground, as Matthew Davis accumulated 19 carries for 118 yards, while Drahcir Jones registered four carries for 110 yards and two scores. SVC has two weeks off before opening Presidents’ Athletic Conference play on Sept. 26.