Penn-Trafford cruises into football semis

Coming off a first-round bye, Penn-Trafford showed no signs of rust against Fox Chapel Area, as the No. 2 Warriors scored touchdowns on all five of their first half drives, and cruised to a 42-14 win against the No. 10 Foxes in the WPIAL 5A quarterfinals. Penn-Trafford running back Cade Yacamelli provided three touchdowns, rushing for scores of 3 and 55 yards, as well as a 16-yard TD reception from Carter Green. Green was equally as effective, as he provided a pair of rushing scores. The PT defense also played a prominent role in staking the Warriors (9-2) to a 35-0 halftime lead, as it forced a pair of turnovers. With the mercy rule in effect for the entire second half, the Foxes (5-7) scored their first points on an 8-yard run by Khi’Lee Patterson, who played in place of injured starting QB Collin Dietz. The Warriors added a TD run by Conlan Greene in the fourth quarter, while Zidane Thomas capped the scoring with a 27-yard scamper for the Foxes. Yacamelli amassed 140 yards on 10 carries, while Green rushed for 101 yards and passed for 56 yards. Penn-Trafford advances to the 5A semifinals, and will face third-seeded Pine-Richland (7-4) on Friday at Gateway High School.

Belle Vernon Area football remains perfect

Top-seeded Belle Vernon Area forced four turnovers and showed its quick-strike ability on offense, as the Leopards knocked off New Castle 45-20 in the 4A quarterfinals. The host Leopards (9-0) recovered three fumbles and also notched an interception against the No. 9 Red Hurricanes (7-5). Quinton Martin paced the Leopards’ rushing attack, as he compiled 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while QB Devin Whitlock was 6-of-9 passing for 144 yards and a score, and he rushed for 77 yards and two scores. Holding a narrow two-point lead in the second quarter, BVA scored three touchdowns unanswered to gain command 35-12 at halftime. In the defeat, New Castle QB Chris Hood threw for 191 yards and also rushed for 77, while receiver Mike Wells caught six passes for 129 yards. The Leopards move on to the 4A semifinals, where they battle No. 5 seed and conference rival Thomas Jefferson (8-2) on Friday at West Mifflin High School. Belle Vernon won the regular season battle between the teams 28-21 on a late Whitlock touchdown run

GCC girls advances to PIAA semis; boys ousted in quarters

The Greensburg Central Catholic soccer teams were on opposite ends of the spectrum on Saturday, as the girls team edged Freedom Area 1-0 to advance to the state semifinals, while the boys fell 1-0 against Eden Christian Academy to conclude their season. In the girls matchup in the PIAA Class 1A quarterfinals at West Allegheny High School, freshman Riley Kerr accounted for the lone goal in the 25th minute, assisted by Sara Felder. Keeper Lyndsey Szekely posted the shutout for GCC (17-2-0), which advances to the state semifinals for a WPIAL championship rematch against Steel Valley on Tuesday at Elizabeth Forward High School. The Centurions boys suffered a heartbreaking defeat, also in the PIAA 1A quarterfinals at West Allegheny on Saturday, as Eden Christian scored with just more than a minute remaining in regulation. Ryan Merrick netted the winner via a header off a corner kick for the Warriors. Conversely, GCC (16-5-0) was unable to crack Eden Christian keeper Anthony D’Ippolito, and also hit the post twice, including on a penalty kick.

Norwin hockey wins a pair

The Norwin hockey team enjoyed a fruitful week, as the Knights claimed a pair of wins. Playing at home at the Palmer Imaging Arena last Monday, Norwin bested Wheeling Catholic 6-3. Mario Cavallaro paced the offense, as he contributed a goal and two assists, while Ty Shigo and Alex Thomas each provided a goal and an assist. Three days later, Norwin knocked off division-leading Westmont Hilltop 6-3 at the 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown. In that win, Norwin scored three unanswered goals in the third period, including two by Jake Meier, one on the powerplay and the other shorthanded. Meier finished with a hat trick, while Logan Fear notched two goals, and goalie Owen Burmeister made 22 saves. As a result of those victories, Norwin improved to 4-1-0, and with eight points, sits two points behind the Hilltoppers in the Class A Southeast Division standings.

Kiski Area’s Lawhorn Moore makes commitment

One of the top linemen in the WPIAL made his college decision last week, as Kiski Area senior Brandon Lawhorn Moore committed to Miami University (Ohio). On Saturday, Lawhorn Moore pledged to the RedHawks, although he cannot sign until next month, at the earliest. A 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive tackle, Moore is ranked as a three-star prospect by 247 Sports. His other offers included Bowling Green, Bucknell, Buffalo, Duquesne, Fordham, Kent State, Maine, New Hampshire, Old Dominion, and Toledo. In addition to his play along the offensive line, Lawhorn Moore registered 27 tackles defensively for the Cavaliers, who went 6-4 this past campaign.

Seton Hill, Saint Vincent football dominant in season finales

Both Seton Hill and Saint Vincent College ended their football campaigns on a high note, as the Griffins and Bearcats scored dominant wins on Saturday. Seton Hill blasted Lock Haven University 59-7, while Saint Vincent outclassed Bethany College 52-7. The Griffins scored 49 points in the first half, keyed by two blocked punts returned for touchdowns, and another fumbled punt snap by the Bald Eagles that Seton Hill recovered for a score. The Griffins forced seven turnovers in total, and limited Lock Haven to -38 yards rushing, while SHU running back Logan Wiland compiled 162 yards rushing and two scores. The Griffins conclude the season at 5-6, tying the second-most wins in program history. Saint Vincent, meanwhile, outgained Bethany 517-165. Bearcats QB Brady Walker threw for 309 yards and three scores, Julian Howard rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns, and Phil Harding posted seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. SVC finished with an overall record of 5-5.