GCC rallies for rivalry win at Jeannette

The latest chapter was added to the historic football rivalry between Greensburg Central Catholic and Jeannette on Friday night in a game that had significant ramifications in the Class 1A Eastern Conference. Greensburg Central Catholic’s second-half surge propelled the Centurions to a 42-24 win at Jeannette. GCC quarterback Tyree Turner factored into four scores, as he notched 110 yards rushing and two TDs, and added two more touchdowns through the air. Fellow Centurion Samir Crosby produced three touchdowns and 89 yards on the ground for GCC, which overcame an 18-7 deficit in the third quarter by scoring on five consecutive possessions. Noah Sanders rushed for 142 yards and a score for the Jayhawks, while QB Payton Molter threw for 133 yards, including a couple of TDs to Jeremiah Williamson and Jayce Powell. As a result, Greensburg Central Catholic improved to 3-1, matching Jeannette’s record. However, Jeannette claimed a playoff berth.

Westmoreland teams litter girls soccer postseason

Most girls soccer teams conclude section play tonight, while a handful of others will wrap up their section ledger on Tuesday. As the regular season draws to an end, the WPIAL playoff fields are nearly set, and Westmoreland County is well represented. While no county teams are in from Class 4A, a quartet of squads have clinched in Class 3A. From Section 3, Greater Latrobe, Franklin Regional, and Penn-Trafford are all in. The Wildcats sit in second at 9-2-0, the Panthers are third with a mark of 7-4-0, and the Warriors are in fourth at 6-5-0. Meanwhile in Section 1, Kiski Area has secured a spot, as the Cavaliers are fourth with a record of 5-4-2. Four more teams have clinched in 2A, headlined by a trio of teams from Section 3 – Mount Pleasant Area, Southmoreland, and Yough. The Vikings have claimed the section crown at 10-0-0, while the Scotties are in second place at 8-2-0, and the Cougars reside in fourth with a mark of 4-6-0. Meanwhile in Section 2, Burrell is in, as the Buccaneers sit in second place with a mark of 6-2-0. Lastly, Greensburg Central Catholic has punched its ticket in Class 1A. The Centurions, with a record of 9-2-0, are tied for second in Section 1. Another Westmoreland County team remains in contention for a playoff spot, as Belle Vernon Area is alive in Class 3A Section 2.

Seven county volleyball teams clinch berths

With one week remaining in the WPIAL girls volleyball regular season, seven Westmoreland County squads have already punched their ticket to the playoffs. In Class 4A, Penn-Trafford and Hempfield Area are in. The Warriors lead Section 3 with a mark of 5-0, while the Spartans are 3-2. In Class 3A, Greater Latrobe has secured a playoff spot, as the Wildcats are 8-2 in Section 5. Southmoreland, Burrell, and Derry Area have all qualified from Class 2A. The Scotties lead Section 3 with a perfect mark of 15-0. In Section 5, meanwhile, Burrell’s mark of 9-2 has the Buccaneers in second place, while the Trojans reside in third at 9-3. Lastly, Greensburg Central Catholic is in from Class 1A. The Centurions, who have compiled a record of 9-1, are in second in Section 4. Several other county teams are still in playoff contention heading into this week, including Norwin, Belle Vernon Area, Kiski Area, Franklin Regional, and Yough.

Schaffer named Yough AD

Jim Schaffer, who has an extensive coaching background at Yough, was hired as the new Cougars athletic director last week. Schaffer fills the AD void after previous athletic director Bill Flow resigned in August after approximately one year in the role. Since then, Yough principal Brian Sutherland had handled the duties of the position. Schaffer’s athletics background includes 15 years as a baseball assistant coach for the Cougars, and he’s also served on the football coaching staff the past two campaigns. A 1991 grad of Yough, Schaffer played three sports as a student.

Norwin, Kiski Area XC shine at WCCA event

The Norwin boys and girls teams both notched gold, while a pair of Kiski Area runners captured the individual titles last week at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Cross Country Championship. Last Wednesday at Westmoreland County Community College, the Norwin girls cruised to the team title in Class 3A, as their 37 points easily surpassed second-place Greater Latrobe, which totaled 67 points. The Norwin boys, meanwhile, registered 27 points, easily besting Hempfield Area, which had 42. In Class 2A, the Derry Area girls claimed gold, as the Trojans posted a score of 37 points, edging Greensburg Salem, which totaled 43. On the boys side in Class 2A, the Cavaliers left no doubt, compiling a total of 27, well ahead of second-place Greensburg Central Catholic, which totaled 63 points. Three of the four winning teams were repeat champions, with the Norwin boys the lone exception, as Hempfield Area took first place last year. Individually, senior Eliza Miller of Kiski Area won her third-straight WCCA gold, while teammate Samuel Plazio repeated as boys champion. Miller recorded a time of 17:59.6, well ahead of Penn-Trafford’s Amelia Barilla, who finished at 18:28.3. Plazio, a sophomore, established the winning time of 16:20.4, edging Nathan Kociela of Franklin Regional, who clocked in at 16:32.1.

Pitt-Greensburg WSOC continues undefeated run

Six games into their conference slate, the University of Pitt-Greensburg women’s soccer team has yet to suffer a loss. The Bobcats won a pair of games last week, improving to 5-0-1 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC). Last Tuesday, UPG blanked host Mount Aloysius 2-0. The Bobcats received goals from Megan Hickey and Maya Wertelet, while Paige John made just two saves for the clean sheet. Four days later, UPG overmatched Hilbert College 6-0. The visiting Bobcats scored all six tallies in the second half, including a pair of Wertelet and a goal and an assist from Hickey. Hailey Kepner earned the shutout in net, registering three stops. With three contests remaining in their regular season, the Bobcats trail first-place Penn State Behrend by a half game.