BVA football advances to semis

After two rounds of the WPIAL football playoffs, just one Westmoreland County team remains. Belle Vernon Area, the top seed in the Class 3A bracket, punched its ticket to the semifinals, courtesy of a dominant 49-6 win at home against No. 8 Deer Lakes on Friday. Quinton Martin posted nine receptions for 100 yards, including a pair of scores, while adding 107 yards on the ground on 10 attempts. Leopards QB Braden Laux completed 14-of-18 passes for 236 yards and three TDs, all in the first half. Kole Doppelheuer notched a pair of rushing scores, amassing 101 yards on 10 carries, while Anthony Crews added two TDs. Defensively, Belle Vernon Area limited Deer Lakes QB Derek Burk to just one completion, and the Lancers compiled only 70 yards of total offense. The Leopards (9-1) will battle No. 4 East Allegheny on Friday at Norwin High School. Two other Westmoreland County teams saw their postseason run end last week, however, as Greater Latrobe came up short at top-seeded Aliquippa 37-29 in the 4A quarterfinals, while Greensburg Central Catholic lost to No. 1 seed South Side Beaver 48-21 in the Class 1A quarterfinals at Peters Township.

Norwin boys soccer wins another shootout

For the third time during their postseason run, the Norwin Knights boys soccer team prevailed in a shootout. In the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinals at Chambersburg High School on Saturday, Norwin edged Abington 4-3 in penalty kicks to claim a 2-1 victory. Owen Christopher, Daniel Maddock, Chase Molinaro, and George Bunovich tallied in the PKs for the Knights, while Anthony Scalise notched a save in net for Norwin. Maddock also scored the Knights lone goal in regulation, early in the second half on a free kick. Sean Westmoreland netted the only goal for the Galloping Ghosts in the opening half. As a result, Norwin moves on to the PIAA semifinals, and will face Central Bucks South on Tuesday at 6 p.m., once again at Chambersburg. The other Westmoreland County team in the state soccer playoffs lost on Saturday, however, as Burrell dropped a 3-1 outcome against Bentworth in the quarterfinals at Plum High School. Hadyn Herbulock provided the only goal for the Bucs in the 34th minute.

A dozen local volleyball standouts earn All-WPIAL honors

The All-WPIAL girls volleyball teams were announced last week, and a dozen Westmoreland County players received accolades. In Class 4A, a trio of Penn-Trafford Warriors made the cut, as senior outside hitter Elle Visco and senior setter Ella Dindak were named Second-Team, while senior libero Maci Hohman was a Third-Team selection. Also in 4A, the Hempfield Area senior duo of outside hitter Ashley Hosni and libero Sarah Podkul were Third-Team honorees. In Class 3A, Greater Latrobe junior middle hitter Ashley Deniker was a Second-Team pick, while teammate Chiara Mongelluzzo, a junior outside hitter, received Third-Team recognition. Two Southmoreland standouts received All-WPIAL honors in Class 2A, as senior middle hitter Amarah McCutcheon was a Second-Team pick, while junior middle hitter Taylor Doppelheuer was Third-Team. Moreover, Derry Area senior libero Katie Dunlap was a Second-Team selection. Lastly, Greensburg Central Catholic produced a pair of First-Team selections in Class 1A – junior outside hitter Eva Denis and sophomore right side Ashlyn Black.

Norwin’s Thomas named PIHL Player of the Month

Norwin senior Alex Thomas was recognized for his terrific start to the PIHL season, as he was named as the Class AA Player of the Month for October. In four games, Thomas netted 10 goals and six assists, totaling 16 points. The Knights won three games in the month, with their lone loss coming in overtime. Thomas, who signed a tender with the Colorado Grit of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) earlier this month, currently leads Class AA in both goals (13) and points (23).

Griffins litter All-PSAC soccer lists

Both the Seton Hill University men’s and women’s soccer teams saw their seasons end last week with playoff losses, but a bevy of Griffins earned All-PSAC recognition. Five men’s players made the cut, headlined by grad student forward Brice Gandhi, who was All-PSAC West First-Team. Griffins' Second-Team selections consisted of graduate defender Elias Mobrin, sophomore defender Joseph Spencer, sophomore midfielder Julian Marker, and sophomore goalkeeper Aiden Hollander. The Griffins edged Mercyhurst in the PSAC quarterfinals, but lost to Millersville in the semifinals on Friday. On the women’s side, a pair of freshmen made the list, as defender Maddie Teakle and midfielder Kilee Coatney were both named Second-Team. The Griffins dropped their playoff opener at Mercyhurst on Monday.