Led by Garn’s SportsCenter play, Mount Pleasant edges Yough

Mount Pleasant Area’s Jarrett Garn garnered national attention over the weekend, as his spectacular 56-yard touchdown reception from Cole Chatfield on Friday earned a spot on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays and on NFL Countdown. That score was also crucial in helping the Vikings claim a 22-19 win at Yough to commence Class 3A Interstate Conference. The back-and-forth contest was decided in the closing moments, as a touchdown run by Stephen Predajna with 14 seconds left gave Mount Pleasant Area the victory. Vikings quarterback Cole Chatfield went 8-of-14 for 165 yards and that touchdown to Garn, while Brody Hutter posted 66 yards rushing and a TD, and Garrett Eicher had four grabs for 71 yards. The Cougars, who lost their fourth game in a row, were led by QB Raidon Kuroda, who hit 16-of-32 passes for 214 yards and two scores, while amassing 25 carries for 90 yards and a score on the ground. Ryan Sarver caught eight passes for 95 yards for Yough. As a result, the Vikings moved to 1-0 in the conference, and 3-3 overall, while the Cougars dropped to 0-1 and 2-4.

Holt, Riley pace Westmoreland boys golfers at WPIAL championships

The WPIAL Boys Individual Golf Championship tournaments began last week, and several Westmoreland County golfers are within striking distance heading into this week’s final round. In Class 3A, Colin Holt of Franklin Regional is two shots off the lead, as he fired a 3-over 75 at Southpointe Golf Club in Canonsburg last Tuesday. Greater Latrobe junior Jack Sacriponte and Belle Vernon Area senior Seth Tomalski are tied for 16th, each carding 79. Additionally, Liam Copeland, a Franklin Regional senior, fired an 80, BVA junior Jack Edwards shot an 82, and Leopards junior Jordan Mocello and Panthers junior Dylan Mauser each carded 83, which was right above the cut line. Fox Chapel Area’s Carson Kittsley leads the pack with a 73. The final round will take place on Tuesday at famed Oakmont Country Club. In Class 2A, Greensburg Central Catholic senior Braden Riley sits four shots off the lead after he notched a 5-over 77 last Monday at the Youghiogheny Country Club in Elizabeth Township. Furthermore, Greensburg Salem freshman Luke Sikora and Mount Pleasant Area senior Ryan Karfelt each carded an 81 to tie for 14th place, while fellow Viking Aydan Gross scored an 84, and Brandon Plunko, a junior from GCC, and Ligonier Valley senior Tyler Jones each carded a 86 to advance. McGuffey’s Logan Crowe holds the pole position with a 73. The final round will be held on Wednesday at Sewickley Heights Country Club.

Penn-Trafford, Mount Pleasant top girls soccer standings

A pair of Westmoreland County girls soccer teams remain unblemished in section play, as Penn-Trafford and Mount Pleasant Area reside in first place entering the final two weeks of their section ledger. The Warriors top Class 4A Section 1 with a mark of 6-0-0, boosted by a crucial 2-1 home win against Greater Latrobe last Wednesday. In that contest, Alexis Brown registered a brace, while goalkeeper Rease Solomon recorded seven saves. Meanwhile, the Vikings moved to 6-0-0 in Class 2A Section 2. Last week, Mount Pleasant steamrolled Ligonier Valley 11-0. In that home triumph, Rylin Bugosh tallied four goals, while Morgan Gesinski added a pair of markers.

Puck drops on PIHL season this week

The high school hockey season commences tonight, and several of the Westmoreland County teams will begin play this week. In Class AA tonight, Norwin welcomes Canon-McMillan and Penn-Trafford plays host to Hempfield Area at 6:30 and 8:30, respectively, at the Palmer Imaging Arena in Delmont. On Thursday, Greater Latrobe hosts Cathedral Prep at the Kirk Nevin Arena in Greensburg at 7:15. Additionally, in Division 2, Burrell welcomes Knoch tonight at 8 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Ice Arena. Franklin Regional, which ascended to Class AAA, and Greensburg Salem and Kiski Area, both in Class A, will commence their campaigns next week.

Griffins Craggette receives PSAC honor

Ky’Ron Craggette, a standout running back for Seton Hill University, was tabbed as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Athlete of the Week last Monday. The redshirt junior earned the accolade following his performance against West Chester, as he rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns, including the winning score late in the fourth quarter in the Griffins’ 27-24 triumph. Through four contests, Craggette has amassed 97 carries for 446 yards on the ground, both of which pace the conference.