Keefer, Thompson earn first coaching wins

A pair of first-year football coaches in Westmoreland County collected their initial victories on Friday, as Hempfield Area’s Nick Keefer and John “JT” Thompson of Greensburg Central Catholic secured wins in their first games at the helm. Keefer, a longtime assistant for the Spartans, helped lead Hempfield Area to a decisive 45-6 win at home against rival Greensburg Salem. Rogan Katchur registered three rushing TDs and the Spartans snagged three interceptions, including a pick-six by Anthony Puskar that enacted the running clock in the second half. Thompson, who has an extensive coaching background at the college level, oversaw a second-half comeback, as host Greensburg Central Catholic ousted Mount Pleasant Area 37-24. GCC sophomore Samir Crosby impacted the game in a multitude of ways, as he caught seven passes for 153 yards, threw a touchdown, and snagged two interceptions. Tyree Turner hit on 14-of-16 passes for 243 yards and a pair of scores, while Evan Stasko caught a touchdown pass.

Greater Latrobe well represented on Rosensteel watch list

With the WPIAL girls soccer campaign just under way, nearly a dozen Westmoreland County players were included on the Moe Rosensteel Player of the Year watch list. Greater Latrobe accounted for five of the candidates, including Ava Lorenzi, Maddy Petruzzi, Regan Reilly, Robin Reilly, and Ava Yurko. Other county nominees consisted of Rylin Bugosh of Mount Pleasant Area, Greensburg Central Catholic’s Riley Kerr, Aris Lamanna from Franklin Regional, Yough’s Kendalyn Umbel, and Grace West of Belle Vernon Area. The award, given annually to the top girls player in the WPIAL, is named in honor of Katelyn “Moe” Rosensteel.

Spartans girls soccer snaps skid

Hempfield Area girls soccer entered this season with a losing skid that spanned nearly four years, but the Spartans snapped their 46-game streak in their first match of 2023. Hempfield Area claimed a 1-0 victory at home against Greensburg Salem on Saturday. Sofia Lopez Diaz netted the winning goal for the Spartans in the first half, while Lila Clark earned the clean sheet in net. Hempfield Area last prevailed in 2019, and went 0-18-0 last season, failing to register a single goal.

Flow steps down as Yough AD

After approximately one year leading the Yough Cougars, Bill Flow resigned as the athletic director last week. Flow was hired in June 2022 after previously serving as the head coach for Jeannette girls basketball. Flow, a Norwin graduate, has held numerous coaching positions and also had a stint as an athletic director at a high school in North Carolina before returning to Western Pennsylvania.

WCCA boys golf event on the horizon

The initial Westmoreland County Coaches Association (WCCA) event of the fall season will take place this week, as boys golf will tee off on Thursday at the Latrobe Elks Golf Course. In addition to team champions from Class 3A and Class 2A, an overall individual winner will be determined. Derry Area’s Hunter Jurica captured the crown last year, but has graduated, while Norwin and Greensburg Central Catholic won their respective classifications on the team side in 2022.

Griffins, Bearcats football to kick off seasons

Both Westmoreland County college football teams will commence their 2023 campaigns this week, as Seton Hill and Saint Vincent College will be in action. The Griffins open at Wheeling University on Thursday, the second year in a row that SHU will play on the road against the Cardinals to begin the ledger. A year ago, Seton Hill suffered a 25-11 defeat en route to a record of 2-9 overall. Conversely, the Bearcats start their 2023 season at home on Saturday against Washington & Jefferson College. Last year, SVC finished at 5-5 overall, including a 52-21 loss on their own field against the Presidents.