Lopsided outcomes in Westmoreland football clashes

The opening week of the WPIAL football season featured some marquee matchups, including four games that pitted a pair of Westmoreland County schools against one another. All of those showdowns were decided by 21 or more points, with the larger school by classification winning three of the clashes. Greater Latrobe whitewashed Derry Area 55-0, Hempfield Area dismantled Greensburg Salem 49-3, Burrell bested Jeannette 31-10, and Greensburg Central Catholic outlasted Mount Pleasant Area 56-35. Greater Latrobe unleashed newcomer Robby Fulton, who rushed 12 times for 211 yards and five touchdowns. The Spartans scored all of their points in the first half, as the game was cancelled at halftime due to lightning. Prior to that, QB Jake Phillips hit on 14-of-16 passes for 263 yards and three scores, and he added 60 yards and another TD on the ground. Burrell relied heavily on a rushing attack, with Devin Beattie, Mason Jones, and Antonio Cook combining for more than 250 yards and three scores on the ground. Lastly, Jaydin Canady and Da’sjon Craggette each eclipsed 100 yards rushing and found the end zone on multiple occasions for the Centurions, who scored 28 consecutive points in the second half.

PT’s Greene has historic QB debut

Already heralded for his touchdown pass on a trick play in the state championship game last season, Penn-Trafford senior Conlan Greene made his first varsity start behind center on Friday, and produced one of the best stat lines in Warriors’ history. Greene was 22-of-30 passing for 335 yards and three touchdowns in the PT victory 35-28 against Canon-McMillan in Week Zero. Greene’s yardage through the air ranks fourth in the history of the program, behind only Tyler Huether (364 yards, 339 yards) and Jeff Palladino (359 yards). Greene, who will play defense in college at Temple, also added 38 rushing yards and another score.

County soccer teams commence season

While section play begins this week for many squads, the WPIAL boys and girls soccer schedule opened over the weekend. Among the Westmoreland teams, Kiski Area, Greensburg Salem, and Burrell boys captured wins, while Greensburg Salem, Southmoreland, and Monessen girls triumphed. On the boys side, the Cavaliers bested West Allegheny 5-3 at the Plum Tournament on Saturday, as Anders Bordoy netted two goals and added two assists, while Trey Curry also contributed two goals. The host Golden Lions dominated Hempfield Area 7-0, as Daishaun Alexander posted four goals, while Tobyn Anderson added a goal and three helpers. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, edged homestanding Deer Lakes 2-1, as Seth Trisoline and Jayson Ireland accounted for the markers. On the girls ledger, the Golden Lions cruised to a 5-0 win at home against Hempfield Area, as Ashley Smith had two goals and one assist, while Maddie Krofcheck contributed two goals. The Scotties left no doubt in their home match against Connellsville Area, claiming a 7-1 win, keyed by Olivia Cernuto’s six-goal outburst. Lastly, the Greyhounds outclassed host Jeannette 9-1.

Flickinger resigns from Derry Area baseball

Derry Area baseball head coach John Flickinger knew he had coached his final game after the Trojans’ playoff loss in May, but his decision was made official last week, as his resignation was accepted. Flickinger guided the program for 11 years as the head coach, but had been coaching for 23 years total, including a stint as an assistant at Penn-Trafford. This past spring, the Trojans posted a mark of 11-7, falling to New Brighton 2-1 in the WPIAL Class 3A first round. In 2021, he helped guide Derry Area to its first section crown since 1992, when Flickinger was a senior standout for the Trojans.

UPG WSOC ranked second in preseason poll

After finishing as the runner up a year ago, the University of Pitt-Greensburg women’s soccer team was selected second in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Preseason Coaches Poll. The team that defeated the Bobcats in the AMCC Championship, Penn State Behrend, was selected as the favorite. Additionally, UPG junior Ashley Lucas was tabbed as the AMCC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while sophomore Nylah Pannebaker was chosen as the Co-Defensive Player of the Year. The Bobcats open their season with a home match against Grove City on Sept. 1.