Plum 38 Hempfield Area 20   (PL: 3-6; HA: 1-8)   WATCH BROADCAST

Hempfield Area could not halt its skid, as the host Spartans lost to Plum 38-20 in Class 5A Big East Conference action. QB Dom Detruf registered 218 yards and two scores for Hempfield Area. His touchdowns went to Reddik Katchur and Keiran Lippmann, who posted five receptions for 92 yards. Brayden Gerst added a 1-yard TD run for the Spartans. For the Mustangs, Darian Nelson hauled in nine passes for 149 yards and a pair of scores, while Nick Odom rushed for 134 yards. Hempfield Area dropped its eighth game in a row, falling to 0-4 in the conference, while Plum finished conference play at 1-4.

Gateway 48 Norwin 20   (GATE: 5-4; NOR: 2-7)   LISTEN BROADCAST

Norwin could not contain Gateway QB Brad Birch, as the Gators secured a 48-20 win in the Class 5A Big East Conference. The Gators conclude conference play at 5-0, while the host Knights dropped to 1-3. Birch threw for 219 yards and four scores, while he added 71 yards and a touchdown on the ground. In the setback, Norwin QB Tristyn Tavares compiled 160 yards passing and a pair of TDs.

North Allegheny 48 Penn-Trafford 14   (NA: 8-1; PT: 4-5)   WATCH BROADCAST

Penn-Trafford was overmatched at home in a 48-14 loss to North Allegheny in a nonconference clash. Tyree Alualu starred for the Tigers, as he compiled two rushing touchdowns and another score on an 80-yard interception return for NA. In defeat, Warriors QB Jonny Lovre amassed 137 yards passing.

North Hills 16 Franklin Regional 14   (NH: 4-5; FR: 6-3)   LISTEN BROADCAST

Despite a massive performance from Kyle Dupill, Franklin Regional suffered a 16-14 setback at home against North Hills in a Class 5A nonconference tilt. Dupill posted 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Panthers. Meanwhile, Connor Davis tossed two TDs for the Indians.

McKeesport 42 Greater Latrobe 14   (McK: 8-1; GL: 6-3)

Three turnovers in the second half doomed Greater Latrobe, as homestanding McKeesport Area prevailed 42-14 in the Class 4A Big Seven Conference. Ja’Tawn Williams had a 95-yard kickoff return for the Wildcats to deadlock the score to begin the third quarter, but the Tigers scored 28 unanswered. Thus, McKeesport Area improved to 5-0 in the conference, while GL finished its conference ledger at 4-2. John Wetzel produced 26 carries for 112 yards and a score on the ground for the Wildcats. Keith Spell paced the Tigers with 131 yards rushing and three TDs, while Anthony Boyd added 134 yards on the ground.

Kiski Area 39 Fox Chapel 8   (KA: 4-5; FOX: 0-9)

Kiski Area, led by the trio of Carson Heinle, Isaiah Gonzalez, and Landon Kucic, rolled to a 39-8 win at Fox Chapel Area in a nonconference clash. Heinle threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns, Kucic rushed for 116 yards and two TDs, and Gonzalez caught four passes for 109 yards and a score, and he added an 85-yard interception return score.

Belle Vernon 49 Southmoreland 7   (BVA: 7-1; SOU: 5-4)

A suffocating defensive performance and a strong run game led Belle Vernon Area to a lopsided 49-7 win at Southmoreland in Class 3A Interstate Conference action. The Leopards snagged four interceptions, including a pick six by Tanner Moody, Quinton Martin rushed for 147 yards and a score, and Jake Gedekoh and Kole Doppleheuer added two scores apiece in the triumph. Doppleheuer notched 85 yards on the ground, and Curtis Wade threw for 51 yards and notched a 26-yard TD run at quarterback for BVA. Ty Keffer snagged the lone score for the Scotties, a 78-yard reception from Caden Matthews.

Mt. Pleasant 42 South Allegheny 27   (MP: 6-3; SA: 1-8)

Cole Chatfield threw for a pair of scores, while Brody Hutter added a couple of touchdown runs in leading Mount Pleasant Area to a 42-27 triumph at South Allegheny in the Class 3A Interstate Conference. Chatfield’s touchdown connections spanned 41 yards to Jarett Garn and 37 yards to Brody Poole. Dante Giallonardo also found paydirt for the Vikings. With the win, the Vikings improved to 2-2 in the conference and clinched a playoff berth, while the Gladiators dropped to 0-4.

Elizabeth Forward 48 Greensburg Salem 13   (EF: 9-0; GS: 1-8)

Greensburg Salem didn’t have any answers for Elizabeth Forward QB Ryan Messina, as the Warriors cruised to a 48-13 win at home in the Class 3A Interstate Conference. Messina passed for 214 yards and three scores, while adding 65 yards and a TD on the ground for EF. Greensburg Salem’s scores came on an 18-yard connection from Brody Chismar to Keegan Young in the opening quarter and a short run by Chismar in the fourth. The Golden Lions stumbled to an 0-4 mark in the conference, while the Warriors stayed unblemished at 4-0.

Freeport 27 Valley 0   (FREE: 3-6; VALL: 2-7)

Valley was stifled by Freeport Area, as the Yellowjackets notched a 27-0 home win in the Class 3A Allegheny Six Conference. Colton Otterman rushed for 89 yards and two scores for Freeport. The Vikings tumbled to 0-4 in conference play, while the Yellowjackets moved to 1-3.

Derry Area 29 Burrell 22   (DA: 4-5; BURR: 4-5)   LISTEN BROADCAST

Ahmad Ward produced a sterling effort, rushing for 249 yards and all four touchdowns in propelling Derry Area to a 29-22 win at Burrell in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference. The Trojans improved to 3-3 in the conference, while the Buccaneers dropped to 3-3, with both teams claiming playoff spots. Ward provided the winning score on a 59-yard run with 2:02 left, just 16 seconds after the Buccaneers took their first lead on a Devin Beattie TD run and two-point conversion. Beattie amassed 28 carries for 110 yards and two scores in the setback for the Buccaneers, while Stevie Hasson registered a rushing TD and completed 5-of-7 passes for 84 yards for Burrell.

Steel Valley 35 Yough 14   (SV: 7-1; YOU: 2-7)

Yough was unable to upset Steel Valley, as the Ironmen prevailed 35-14 in Class 2A Allegheny Conference play. As a result, Steel Valley remained unblemished in the conference at 6-0, while the host Cougars fell to 1-5.

Imani Christian 31 Ligonier Valley 0   (IC: 6-2; LV: 2-7)

Ligonier Valley was blanked at home by Imani Christian Academy 31-0 in a Class 2A Allegheny Conference clash. While the Rams fell to 1-5 in conference play, the Saints ascended to 4-1. Bowie Schreyer threw for 39 yards for the Rams, who were without John Jablunovsky.

Jeannette 49 Springdale 12   (JEA: 7-2; SPR: 1-8)   LISTEN BROADCAST

Jeannette used an explosive offense to roll to a 49-12 win at Springdale in the Class 1A Eastern Conference. Payton Molter threw for 293 yards and four TDs for the Jayhawks. Noah Sanders scored three total touchdowns, posting 89 yards receiving and 81 yards rushing, while Kymon’e Brown caught four passes for 135 yards, scoring twice. Michael Mason also added a TD for the Jayhawks. Consequently, Jeannette moved to 4-1 in the conference, while the Dynamos dipped to 0-5.

Greensburg Central Catholic 21 Riverview 14   (GCC: 6-3; RIV: 4-5)

Landon Honick provided a spark from the backfield, carrying Greensburg Central Catholic to a 21-14 win at home against Riverview in Class 1A Eastern Conference play. As a result, the Centurions secured a playoff bid, improving to 4-1, while the Raiders dipped to 1-4. Honick, who previously played receiver, rushed for 167 yards, scoring twice. Teammate Samir Crosby mustered 105 yards rushing and a TD for GCC. Conversely, Carlo Buzzatto ran for 138 yards and a TD in the loss.

Week 8 Westmoreland County Stars

Landon Honick (Greensburg CC) - 167 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Luke Denny (Norwin) - TD reception; kickoff return TD

Kyle Dupill (Franklin Regional) - 213 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Carson Heinle (Kiski Area) - 12-18 for 173 yds. passing, 2 TD's; 88 yds. rushing, 1 TD

Isaiah Gonzalez (Kiski Area) - 4 rec. for 109 yds. receiving, 2 TD's; INT return for TD

Ahmad Ward (Derry Area) - 249 yds. rushing, 4 TD's

Devin Beattie (Burrell) - 28 att. for 110 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Payton Molter (Jeannette) - 11-18 for 293 yds. passing, 4 TD's