Norwin 30 Plum 23   (NOR: 2-2; PL: 2-2)   WATCH BROADCAST

The Knights scored 23 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, completing the rally for a 30-23 win at home against Plum in the Class 5A Big East Conference opener. Norwin QB Tristyn Tavares factored into all three of those scores in the fourth, as he produced a 4-yard run, and hooked up with Luke Denny on a pair of TD passes. Tavares went 11-of-23 for 185 yards, while Denny had three receptions for 127 yards. Jake Sincak also had a rushing touchdown for homestanding Norwin, while Darian Nelson accounted for a pair of touchdown runs for the Mustangs.

Derry Area 22 Yough 21   (DA: 2-2; YOU: 1-3)   WATCH BROADCAST

Mason Beeman had a touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and his subsequent two-point conversion pass to Demauri Robinson accounted for the difference in the Trojans 22-21 home win against Yough in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference opener. Ahmad Ward had a 78-yard kickoff return TD to open the game for DA, and he added a touchdown run. Meanwhile, Raidon Kuroda posted a pair of touchdown runs and a TD pass to Mikey Nogy for the Cougars.

Belle Vernon 21 Penn-Trafford 0   (BVA: 3-0; PT: 1-3)   WATCH BROADCAST

The Leopards’ defense not only posted a shutout, but it also accounted for a touchdown on a pick-six in leading Belle Vernon Area to a 21-0 victory on the road against Penn-Trafford in a Westmoreland County nonconference showdown. Jake Gedekoh had the 28-yard interception return score in the third quarter, while Quinton Martin compiled 104 yards and a score on 17 carries to pace the BVA offense. QB Braden Laux opened the scoring with a 1-yard run on fourth down on the initial drive of the contest.

Gateway 44 Franklin Regional 24   (GATE: 1-3; FR: 2-2)   LISTEN BROADCAST

Although the Panthers had the better of the play in the first half, a second-half surge carried host Gateway to a 44-24 win against Franklin Regional in Class 5A Big East Conference play. The Gators, who won their first game of the season, received massive showings from QB Brad Birch and receiver Steven Jenkins, both of whom have missed action this season. Birch threw for 270 yards and three scores, all of which went to Jenkins, who had 144 yards receiving. Kyle Dupill had a stellar effort for the Panthers, as he rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, Chase Lemke hooked up with Ayden Hudock for a 57-yard TD connection on the initial FR drive of the contest.

Shaler Area 33 Hempfield Area 17   (SA: 4-0; HA: 1-3)   LISTEN BROADCAST

The Spartans struggled to slow down the prolific offense of the Titans, as Shaler Area ousted homestanding Hempfield Area 33-17 in a Class 5A nonconference battle. Shaler QB Keegan Smetanka went 19-of-27 for 284 yards and three TDs in the triumph. For the Spartans, Rogan Katchur rushed 14 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, Keiran Lippmann hit on 10-of-16 passes for 63 yards and added a rushing score.

Thomas Jefferson 41 Greater Latrobe 14   (TJ: 3-0; GL: 2-1)

The Wildcats were overmatched in a 41-14 loss at home to Thomas Jefferson in the Class 4A Big Seven Conference opener. Greater Latrobe’s John Wetzel produced a 95-yard interception return, and Alex Tatsch found the end zone on a 9-yard run in the first half, but the Wildcats could not slow the TJ attack. The Jaguars received strong showings from both QBs, as Brody Evans threw for 135 yards and a score, while Luke Kosko was an efficient 4-of-6 for 87 yards. Thomas Jefferson also had a dynamic duo on the ground, as Michael Banda had 94 yards and two touchdowns rushing, while Elias Lippencott added 70 yards and a score.

Hampton 35 Kiski Area 26   (HAMP: 1-3; KA: 1-3)

Despite a strong performance by the Cavaliers duo of Carson Heinle and Andrew Finney, Kiski Area dropped its Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference opener at Hampton 35-26. Heinle amassed 173 yards passing and three scores in the setback, while Finney hauled in seven passes for 162 yards and a trio of touchdowns. Landon Kucic added an 11-yard rushing score for KA.

Burrell 8 Serra Catholic 7   (BURR: 2-2; SC: 0-4)

A touchdown by Tyler Maglisco and subsequent two-point conversion carried Burrell to an 8-7 win at home against Serra Catholic in a Class 2A Allegheny Conference battle. Maglisco found paydirt on a 5-yard run, and Stevie Hasson connected with Devin Beattie on the conversion for the Buccaneers. The Bucs defense also was instrumental, denying the Eagles with a pair of goal-line stands.

Ligonier Valley 34 Apollo-Ridge 14   (LV: 2-2; AR: 1-3)

John Jablunovsky scored four touchdowns three different ways in propelling the Rams to a 34-14 road win against Apollo-Ridge in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference lid-lifter. Jablunovsky rushed 20 times for 94 yards and two TDs, caught three passes for 53 yards and a score, and produced a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown. Ligonier Valley QB Bowie Schreyer threw for 67 yards and a score, and he added a rushing touchdown. Apollo-Ridge quarterback Karter Schrock rushed for 156 yards in the setback. It was the 150th career victory for longtime Rams coach Roger Beitel.

Jeannette 54 Frazier 0   (JEA: 3-1; FRA: 0-4)

The Jayhawks were completely dominant in a 54-0 whitewash of Frazier in Class 1A Eastern Conference action. Visiting Jeannette was led by QB Payton Molter, who completed all eight of his passing attempts for 153 yards and three touchdowns, while adding a defensive score. Jeannette scored two touchdowns in each quarter, including two apiece by Kymon’e Brown and Jeremiah Williamson. Williamson caught four passes for 102 yards, while Brown had three receptions for 33 yards and also snagged a 94-yard interception return. Michael Mason, Noah Sanders, and Nick Mendoza all added rushing scores for Jeannette.

Bentworth 28 Monessen 0   (BENT: 2-2; MON: 1-3)

The Greyhounds had no answer for Bearcats QB Vitali Daniels, who rushed for three touchdowns in leading Bentworth to a 28-0 shutout triumph in Class 1A Tri-County South play.

Mount Pleasant 25 Valley 6   (MP: 3-1; VALL: 1-3)

Jackson Hutter accounted for more than 170 yards of total offense and three scores, while the Mount Pleasant defense produced four turnovers in a 25-6 win at home against Valley in a Class 3A nonconference tilt. Hutter carried seven times for 91 yards, including two TDs, and caught a pair of passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Mount Pleasant also forced two fumbles and snagged two interceptions. Camden Moore capped the scoring with a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter. Valley’s lone touchdown came on a 7-yard connection from Tristin Goodwin to Derek Hassim. Goodwin, who split time at QB, was 11-of-24 passing for 76 yards, with a TD and two interceptions. Additionally, he rushed 13 times for 79 yards and caught two passes for 16 yards.

Knoch 27 Southmoreland 0   (KNO: 4-0; SOU: 3-1)

The Scotties were suffocated by the Knoch defense, as the Knights scored a 27-0 win at home against Southmoreland in a nonconference clash of unbeaten teams. Scotties running back Da’sjon Craggette was held to just 17 yards on 19 carries. Moreover, Southmoreland QB Kadin Keefer went 16-of-28 for 144 yards, while Ty Keffer snagged nine catches for 91 yards. On the other side, Codi Mullen paced Knoch’s attack, as he threw for 99 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while also rushing for 98 yards.

Deer Lakes 48 Greensburg Salem 14   (DL: 3-1; GS: 1-3)

The Golden Lions couldn’t match up against the host Lancers in a Class 3A nonconference contest, as Deer Lakes prevailed 48-14.

Washington 31 Greensburg Central Catholic 7   (WASH: 4-0; GCC: 2-2)

Although the Centurions prolific duo of Tyree Turner and Samir Crosby hooked up for a touchdown, homestanding Greensburg Central Catholic couldn’t seriously threaten undefeated Washington, which claimed a 31-7 victory in nonconference play. Turner’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Crosby early in the fourth pulled GCC within 18-7, but the Prexies Zxavian Willis took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a TD. Turner went 13-of-22 for 189 yards in the setback, while Washington QB Tristan Reed compiled 172 yards through the air on 12-of-17 passing. Jahvon Woods added a pair of rushing scores for Washington.

Week 3 Westmoreland County Stars

Tristyn Tavares (Norwin) - 11-23 for 185 yards, 2 TD's; 1 rushing TD

Luke Denny (Norwin) - 3 rec. for 127 yds. receiving, 2 TD's

John Jablunovsky (Ligonier Valley) - 20 att. for 94 yds. rushing, 2 TD's; 1 receiving TD, 1 kickoff return TD

Carson Heinle (Kiski Area) - 8-13 for 173 yds. passing, 3 TD's

Andrew Finney (Kiski Area) - 7 rec. for 162 yds. receiving, 3 TD's

Payton Molter (Jeannette) - 8-8 for 153 yds. passing, 3 TD's; 1 rushing TD

Kyle Dupill (Franklin Regional) - 135 yds. rushing, 2 TD's

Jackson Hutter (Mt. Pleasant) - 7 att. for 91 yds. rushing, 2 TD's; 82 yds. receiving, 1 TD

Rogan Katchur (Hempfield Area) - 118 yds. rushing, 1 TD