Belle Vernon Area 21 McKeesport Area 14 (OT)

Braden Laux scored the go-ahead touchdown in overtime for the Leopards, and Belle Vernon Area’s defense forced an incompletion on fourth down to edge McKeesport Area 21-14 in a nonconference thriller. Laux, who threw for 102 yards, notched a 3-yard TD run in the extra frame. Anthony Crews accounted for both touchdowns in regulation for the host Leopards, scoring on a 31-yard pass in the first quarter and a 65-yard run in the third. He paced BVA with 81 yards rushing. The Leopards denied McKeesport with a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter to keep the game tied. Anthony Boyd and Garrett Tarker generated the Tigers’ touchdowns.

Greater Latrobe 27 Hempfield Area 7

Alex Tatsch was a catalyst on both sides of the football for the Wildcats, as he posted two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 27-7 win at Hempfield Area. Tatsch opened the scoring with an 11-yard run late in the first quarter, and he scored on a 4-yard run after his interception in the second quarter. John Wetzel accounted for a pair of TD runs in the second half for GL, as the quarterback had 14 carries for 103 yards. Hempfield’s Kieran Lippmann, who was intercepted three times, went 16-of-30 for 87 yards, while Dom Detruf connected with Jayson Watkins for a 22-yard TD pass in the final moments for the Spartans.

Southmoreland 24 Derry Area 21

A pair of field goals by Jake Kaylor and two interceptions by Wyatt Richter helped propel the Scotties to a narrow 24-21 home win against Derry Area in a county clash in nonconference play. Kaylor accounted for the deciding points with a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, while Richter sealed the win with an interception in the final minute. Da’Sjon Craggette rushed 18 times for 133 yards and two scores, while Kadin Keefer hooked up with Ty Keffer on a 24-yard touchdown pass. The Trojans, who led 21-18, received a 34-carry, 146-yard performance by Ahmad Ward, who scored twice. Demauri Robinson added a 17-yard TD run for DA.

Franklin Regional 38 Connellsville Area 0

Propelled by a dominant performance on defense and special teams, the Panthers blanked Connellsville Area 38-0 in nonconference action. Franklin Regional blocked a pair of Falcons’ punts, while Kyle Dupill and Jude Gentile each scored twice in the win. Dupill accumulated 130 yards on 14 carries, while quarterback Chase Lemke contributed 85 yards on the ground. Bruce Giles, who surpassed 200 yards rushing last week for the Falcons, was limited to 55 yards on nine carries.

Jeannette 31 Jefferson-Morgan 20

Noah Sanders scored three times to lead the Jayhawks to a 31-20 victory against Jefferson-Morgan. Sanders rushed a dozen times for 111 yards, while adding three receptions for 51 yards. Michael Mason also notched a rushing score for Jeannette, while Austin Emery booted a 35-yard field goal. Payton Molter was 4-of-15 passing for 63 yards in the triumph.

Penn-Trafford 28 Woodland Hills 26

Behind a monster performance from Tasso Whipple, the Warriors edged Woodland Hills 28-26 at the Wolvarena in a 5A nonconference matchup. Whipple posted 220 yards, including three total touchdowns. PT quarterback Jonny Lovre connected with Whipple on a 21-yard TD pass, and Whipple added touchdown runs spanning 9 and 41 yards. Ben Grabowski also found paydirt for the Warriors, who were staked to a 21-0 lead. Scoop Smith was the catalyst for the Wolverines, as he caught 10 passes for 149 yards and two scores.

Norwin 33 Fox Chapel Area 18

A pair of touchdowns by Jake Knight helped the Knights triumph against homestanding Fox Chapel Area 33-18 in a matchup of 5A teams in nonconference play. Norwin, which won its only game last year against the Foxes, also received TDs from Jackson Pons and Luke Denny.

Kiski Area 28 Laurel Highlands 24

A 30-yard touchdown pass from Carson Heinle to Braden Anderson in the final minute gave the host Cavaliers a 28-24 victory against Laurel Highlands in a Class 4A nonconference clash. Heinle tossed three touchdowns, compiling 187 yards through the air on 12-of-21 passing. Heinle also connected on touchdown passes with Isaiah Gonzalez and Bart Martin in the first half, and Brennan Moore notched a 69-yard rushing score. Parker Hoff paced the Mustangs with 106 yards rushing and a score, while Antwan Black added a touchdown reception. Black, a Division I prospect, suffered an injury in the final minute and was taken from the field via ambulance.

Greensburg Salem 34 Ligonier Valley 7

Peyton Chismar posted a pair of touchdowns in his season debut, leading the Golden Lions to a 34-7 home win at Offutt Field against Ligonier Valley in a Westmoreland County nonconference battle. Chismar, who was suspended for the first two games, threw for 114 yards and notched two rushing scores. Greensburg Salem’s Brady Smith also scored twice on the ground, including a 40-yard scamper, and rushed for 179 yards. Kai Brunot added 115 yards rushing and a score for GS. Mark Jablunovsky provided the only TD for the Rams, as he intercepted a pass for a score.

Mount Pleasant Area 26 McGuffey 21

Garrett Eicher’s 5-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter accounted for the winning score for the Vikings, who outlasted host McGuffey 26-21. Eicher, who rushed for 68 yards, bookended the scoring in the contest, as he put Mount Pleasant in the lead with a 3-yard run in the first quarter. Cole Chatfield went 5-of-8 passing for 92 yards and a score, while he snagged a 78-yard interception return defensively. Lucas Nicotera paced the Vikes with four catches for 77 yards, including a touchdown.

Burrell 30 Valley 8

The Buccaneers used a strong rushing performance, besting rival Valley 30-8 in the Battle of the Bypass at Burrell. Devin Beattie paced the Burrell run game, as he registered 135 yards, including a touchdown, and also scored a pair of two-point conversions. Steve Hasson provided 71 yards rushing and a pair of scores for Burrell, an 18-yard interception return TD in the first quarter, and a 2-yard QB run in the second frame. The win is the 300th in program history. Conversely, Charles Perkins accounted for the Valley touchdown, while Mason Simmons amassed 144 yards passing for the Vikings.

Yough 20 Charleroi 14

A touchdown run by Yough QB Raidon Kuroda in the fourth quarter proved the difference, as Yough notched a 20-14 road victory at Charleroi in the battle of the Cougars. Kuroda compiled 15 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns, and he also threw for a score on a 22-yard connection with Ryan Sarver. Tyler O’Neil had a pair of interceptions, including one he returned 29 yards for a touchdown, for Charleroi.

Greensburg Central Catholic 48 West Greene 30

Tyree Turner factored into five touchdowns for the Centurions, who outscored host West Greene 48-30 in a Class 1A nonconference clash. Turner registered 186 yards passing and three touchdowns, and he added two rushing scores. Samir Crosby also scored twice for GCC, as he ripped off a 70-yard kickoff return and a 43-yard reception. The Pioneers were paced by Colin Brady, who amassed 209 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Monessen 48 Frazier 19

Daevon Burke rushed eight times for 119 yards and three scores, while TyVaughn Kershaw compiled 77 yards and a touchdown on just four carries to lead the host Greyhounds to a 48-19 win against Frazier in a nonconference clash.

Week 1 Westmoreland County Stars

Tasso Whipple (Penn-Trafford) - 27 att. for 220 yds. rushing, 2 TD's; 4 rec. for 35 yds. receiving, 1 TD

Tristyn Tavares (Norwin) - 10-17 for 270 yds. passing, 4 TD's

Jake Knight (Norwin) - 4 rec. for 165 yds. receiving, 2 TD's

Ahmad Ward (Derry Area) - 34 att. for 146 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Da'sjon Craggette (Southmoreland) - 18 att. for 133 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Tanner Moody (Belle Vernon) - 12 tackles

Tyree Turner (Greensburg CC) - 8-14 for 186 yds. passing, 3 TD's; 2 rushing TD's

Devin Beattie (Burrell) - 135 yds. rushing, 1 TD

Carson Heinle (Kiski Area) - 12-20 for 185 yds. passing, 3 TD's

Kyle Dupill (Franklin Regional) - 14 att. for 130 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Noah Sanders (Jeannette) - 12 att. for 111 yds. rushing, 3 TD's; 3 rec. for 51 yds. receiving