Penn-Trafford 41 Hempfield Area 18   (PT: 2-3; HA: 1-4)   WATCH BROADCAST

Tasso Whipple’s record-setting performance propelled the host Warriors to a 41-18 win against Hempfield Area in Class 5A Big East Conference play. The Warriors moved to 1-0 in the conference, while the Spartans dropped to 0-1. Whipple rushed 23 times for 300 yards, establishing a new Warriors’ single-game mark, and scored four total touchdowns. He opened the scoring by hauling in a 44-yard pass from Jack Weishaar on a double pass, and he later added TD runs of 7, 14, and 35 yards, the last of which capped a surge of 20 unanswered points for PT. Jonny Lovre and Ben Grabowski also added rushing scores for the Warriors, and Grabowski compiled 89 yards on the ground. The Spartans received a 39-yard interception return from Mitchell Bitar late in the first half, and pulled within three points early in the fourth on a 33-yard connection from Keiran Lippmann to Nicholas Marquis. Lippmann hit on 5-of-10 passes for 88 yards, while Lucas Moore paced the rushing attack with 59 yards.

Thomas Jefferson 24 Belle Vernon Area 19   (TJ: 4-0; BVA: 3-1)   LISTEN BROADCAST

The Leopards couldn’t hold a fourth-quarter lead, as a late touchdown pass gave Thomas Jefferson a 24-19 victory in a highly-anticipated nonconference clash. A 49-yard connection from Luke Kosko to Jason Salman with three minutes left proved the difference for the Jaguars. Cole Doppleheuer posted a 93-yard touchdown run for the host Leopards, while Anthony Crews and Quinton Martin each hauled in TD passes from Braden Laux. Doppleheuer rushed for 102 yards, while Laux passed for 101 yards for BVA. Salman amassed 145 yards receiving for TJ.

Derry Area 35 Apollo-Ridge 21   (DA: 3-2; AR: 1-4)   WATCH BROADCAST

Ahmad Ward and Demauri Robinson each surpassed 100 yards on the ground, as the Trojans bested host Apollo-Ridge 35-21 in a Class 2A Allegheny Conference contest. Ward accumulated 113 yards rushing and a pair of scores, and he added a receiving touchdown. Meanwhile, Robinson compiled 117 yards on the ground and two TDs. Karter Schrock threw for 179 yards and rushed for 90 yards, accounting for two total touchdowns for the Vikings. Consequently, Derry Area bettered its conference mark to 2-0, while AR dropped to 0-2.

Jeannette 35 Charleroi 7   (JEA: 4-1; CHAR: 0-4)   WATCH BROADCAST

Payton Molter and Kymon’e Brown hooked up for three touchdowns, as the homestanding Jayhawks cruised to a 35-7 victory against Charleroi in nonconference action. Molter threw for 158 yards, with three TDs and two interceptions, and he also registered a rushing score. Noah Sanders anchored the Jeannette rushing attack with 14 carries for 152 yards.

Franklin Regional 55 Shaler Area 7   (FR: 3-2; SA: 4-1)   LISTEN BROADCAST

The Panthers steamrolled previously-unblemished Shaler Area 55-7 in a Class 5A nonconference battle in Murrysville. Ayden Hudock had a big effort for Franklin Regional, as he caught six passes for 142 yards, twice reaching the end zone. Chase Lemke compiled 178 yards and two scores through the air, while adding a pair of rushing touchdowns. The FR defense also accounted for a pair of scores – a 20-yard fumble return by Austin Kerns, and a 15-yard pick-six by Elijah Bennett.

Greater Latrobe 37 Laurel Highlands 0   (GL: 3-2; LH: 1-4)

John Wetzel had a breakthrough performance in guiding the Wildcats to a 37-0 road victory against Laurel Highlands in Class 4A Big Seven Conference action. Wetzel, the Wildcats junior QB, threw for a pair of touchdowns, and he added two rushing scores. With the triumph, Greater Latrobe improved to 1-1 in the conference, while the Mustangs dropped to 0-2.

North Catholic 28 Kiski Area 7   (NC: 3-2; KA: 1-4)

Several Cavaliers’ miscues proved costly, as North Catholic took advantage to claim a 28-7 victory at Kiski Area in Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference play. Consequently, the Cavs dropped to 0-2 in the conference, while the Trojans improved to 2-0. The Trojans opened the scoring following a Cavs fumble on a punt return, as Jack Fennell scored on a long run. Fennell compiled 159 yards on the ground. The North Catholic defense also provided an interception return score by Brady Koziara. Landon Kucic accounted for the lone TD for the Cavs on an 8-yard run, while Carson Heinle passed for 169 yards and Andrew Finney hauled in six passes for 89 yards.

Burrell 28 Yough 12   (BURR: 3-2; YOU: 1-4)

A pair of defensive touchdowns catapulted the Buccaneers a 28-12 road win at Yough in Class 2A Allegheny Conference action. Winners of three straight overall, Burrell improved to 2-0 in the conference, while the Cougars fell to 0-2.

Steel Valley 35 Ligonier Valley 0   (SV: 3-1; LV: 2-3)

The Rams had no answer for Donald Barksdale, as he carried Steel Valley to a 35-0 whitewash of Ligonier Valley. Barksdale produced 221 yards rushing and five scores for the homestanding Ironmen. As a result, Steel Valley improved to 2-0 in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference, while the Rams moved to 1-1.

Woodland Hills 30 Norwin 23   (WH: 3-2; NOR: 2-3)

Norwin came up just short of another furious second-half rally, as a potential tying score by the Knights was ruled a fumble, preserving the 30-23 win for host Woodland Hills in a 5A nonconference battle. The controversial fumble call at the goal line negated a Luke Denny touchdown in the final minutes of regulation. In the third quarter, Norwin trailed 23-7, but produced 16 unanswered points, as Denny caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from QB Tristyn Tavares, Tavares added a 1-yard TD, and Evan Pfeifer booted a tying field goal. Scoop Smith produced the winning touchdown for the Wolverines on an 8-yard pass from Cam Walter. Denny also hauled in a long score in the first half, finishing with five catches for 192 yards. Tavares went 13-of-32 for 289 yards, with two TDs and a pair of interceptions, while Jackson Pons posted eight catches for 91 yards.

Mount Pleasant Area 45 Freeport Area 23   (MP: 4-1; FA: 2-3)

The Vikings scored 35 unanswered points spanning the third and fourth quarters, rallying for a 45-23 win at home against Freeport Area in a Class 3A nonconference clash. Jackson Hutter and Brody Hutter combined for four of those five touchdowns during the surge, as Jackson compiled 100 yards rushing on seven carries, while Brody had four rushes for 64 yards. Additionally, Cole Chatfield went 5-of-9 passing for 107 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown to Luke Nicotera in the first half. Drew Ross hit on 16-of-30 passes for 164 yards with a TD and an interception for the Yellowjackets, and he also contributed a rushing score.

Deer Lakes 24 Southmoreland 7   (DL: 4-1; SOU: 3-2)

The Scotties struck first, but Deer Lakes scored 24 unanswered points, including 17 in the second half, to claim a 24-7 win at Southmoreland in a 3A nonconference tilt. Da’sjon Craggette found paydirt on a 4-yard run on the initial drive of the game for the Scotties. Southmoreland’s defense also forced three turnovers, including interceptions by Wyatt Richter and Ty Keffer. Zier Williams rushed for 199 yards and two TDs in a monster effort for the victorious Lancers.

East Allegheny 42 Greensburg Salem 0   (EA: 3-2; GS: 1-4)

The Golden Lions were stifled by East Allegheny, as the Wildcats cruised to a 42-0 victory in a nonconference matchup. Greensburg Salem had no answer for EA quarterback Michael Cahill, who threw four touchdowns, including a pair each to Brennan Rutledge and Stevie Yusko.

Greensburg Central Catholic 60 Springdale 14   (GCC: 3-2; SPRING: 1-4)

The Centurions exploded for 54 points in the first half, outclassing Springdale 60-14 for a home triumph in the Class 1A Eastern Conference. The Centurions moved to 1-0 in the conference, while the Dynamos tumbled to 0-2.

Valley 38 Uniontown Area 6   (VALL: 2-3; UA: 2-3)

Darnell Coaston notched a pair of touchdowns and the Vikings’ defense also produced two scores in leading Valley to a 38-6 win at home against Uniontown Area. Coaston scored on runs of 55 and 2 yards, while Demetrius Ballard and Conner Sakala each had fumble recovery touchdowns in the nonconference win.

California Area 51 Monessen 20   (CA: 4-1; MON: 1-4)

California Area scored 28 points unanswered in the fourth quarter, claiming a 51-20 victory against Monessen in the Class 1A Tri-County South Conference. Daevon Burke notched an 85-yard kickoff return for the Greyhounds, while TyVaughn Kershaw threw for 113 yards and rushed for 61 yards.

Week 4 Westmoreland County Stars

Tasso Whipple (Penn-Trafford) - 23 att. for 300 yds. rushing, 3 TD's; 1 receiving TD

Devin Beattie (Burrell) - 20 att. for 151 yds. rushing, 1 TD

Kymon'e Brown (Jeannette) - 5 rec. for 85 yds. receiving, 3 receiving TD's

Tristyn Tavares (Norwin) - 12-32 for 289 yds. passing, 2 TD's; 1 rushing TD

Jackson Pons (Norwin) - 8 rec. for 91 yds. receiving

Luke Denny (Norwin) - 5 rec. for 192 yds. receiving, 2 TD's

John Wetzel (Latrobe) - 11-16 for 159 yds. passing, 2 TD's; 2 rushing TD's

Ja'Tawn Williams (Latrobe) - 5 rec. for 93 yds. receiving, 1 TD

Ayden Hudock (Franklin Regional) - 6 rec. for 142 yds. receiving, 2 TD's

Chase Lemke (Franklin Regional) - 8-14 for 178 yds. passing, 2 TD's; 2 rushing 2 TD's

Jackson Hutter (Mt. Pleasant) - 7 att. for 100 yards, 2 TD's