Greg Macafee stories, Page 43
Springdale football hopes to see long-term benefits from revival of junior high program
There are several crucial parts of a high school football team, but one of the most important — and the one that can produce long-term success — is the establishment of a reliable junior high program. It allows coaches to interact with players coming up through their system while also...
A-K Valley football notebook: Springdale beats Imani Christian for 1st time
As if their last-minute Week Zero win over Deer Lakes wasn’t enough, the Springdale Dynamos took it to another level Friday and took down Class 1A Eastern Conference opponent Imani Christian for the first time. “It was just like the Deer Lakes game,” Springdale coach Seth Napierkowski said after the...
North Catholic takes down Burrell for 1st win of the season
Although he lost his leading rusher and receiver from last year, North Catholic coach Pat O’Shea was confident in his team’s abilities heading into its season opener against Burrell on Friday night at J.C Stone Field in North Park. It didn’t take long to realize why he was so confident...
A-K Valley’s Girdano remembers ‘slowest touchdown in Tulsa history’
Throughout its storied history, college football has had spectacular moments fans, players and coaches never forget. Auburn’s Kick Six against Alabama in 2013. Desmond Howard striking the Heisman pose against Ohio State in 1991. The famous “The band is on the field” moment between Cal and Stanford in 1982. All...
Alle-Kiski Valley high school notebook: Fox Chapel golf, tennis start strong
While the Fox Chapel football team has gotten off to a rough start on the gridiron, the golf and tennis teams couldn’t be hotter. Coming into the 2019 season, the Fox Chapel boys golf team was motivated to take its game to the next level after finishing just short of...
Pitt cross country set to host first home meet in 42 years
For the first time in 42 years, the Pitt men’s and women’s cross country teams will start their 2019 season by hosting five programs for the inaugural Pitt Panther Opener at the Carrie Blast Furnaces in Swissvale. While the season-opening meet will be special for the Pitt cross country program,...
A-K Valley football Q&A with Apollo-Ridge’s Logan Harmon
Leechburg was on Apollo-Ridge’s 4-yard line and trailing by a touchdown with a minute left in the first half of a Week Zero matchup. A Leechburg touchdown would mean a tie score and a swing of a momentum heading into the second half. Apollo-Ridge junior linebacker Logan Harmon knew the...
Derry, Freeport coaches expect another battle in Big East Conference opener
If you were to compare the Derry and Freeport football teams this season, you might not find many differences, and both coaches take pride in that sentiment. “If somebody called Derry the Freeport of Westmoreland County, I would take that as a compliment,” Derry coach Tim Sweeney said. “We’re both...
Springdale girls soccer hopes chemistry carries over under new coach
When any first-year coach takes over a program, there are certain goals they want to accomplish to have a successful start. For Springdale girls soccer coach Marc Bentley, that meant building relationships with his players to create a positive atmosphere. “The biggest thing for me was, I could come into...
Springdale boys looking to use past 2 seasons as motivation
The Springdale boys soccer team had a big season last fall, and if everything goes right, they could accomplish bigger things this year. A year after going 15-4-1, the Dynamos return their entire starting lineup except for goalkeeper Mike Zolnierczyk, the Valley News Dispatch Boys Athlete of the Year. Seniors...
Penn State adds 4-star RB from Florida to 2020 recruiting class
Penn State football coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions got another Class of 2020 recruit when Superior Collegiate Academy’s Keyvone Lee made his announcement official Monday night. #BREAKING: 4⭐️ RB Keyvone Lee (@KeyvoneL) has committed to #PennState. #WeAre #PSUnrivaled @247Sports @Rivals @BN9 @SpecSports360 pic.twitter.com/uBgw61VB6X— CHRIS TORELLO (@TorelloSports) August 27,...
Fox Chapel native Jack Kartsonas shines at Palomino World Series
Fox Chapel native Jack Kartsonas pitched on the biggest stage of his career earlier this month. Things started when Kartsonas played in a summer league with college-bound players who are 18 and under called the Youngstown “B” league. He pitched in seven games, threw 37 2/3 innings, recorded a 0.56...
Drew Karpen dives into job as Highlands athletic director
Over the past few years, Drew Karpen has been waiting for the right opportunity to run an athletic department. On Monday, he was approved by Highlands School Board as the district’s athletic director. “It’s been a long road, but it’s definitely something that I am loving right now,” Karpen said....
Perroz’s baseball-heavy summer pays off with commitment to IUP
Kiski Area senior Billy Perroz has been playing so much baseball this summer that, at times, coach Aaron Albert has told him he has been playing too much. “But he loves it,” Albert said. “I go with the flow really, but there are certainly weekends where he plays way too...
Burrell’s offense shines in season opener
Since he took over the Burrell football program last year, coach Shawn Liotta has been waiting for an opportunity to showcase his fast-paced, high-octane offense. On Friday night, with Central Catholic transfer quarterback Alex Arledge at the helm and a myriad of offensive weapons surrounding him, Liotta finally got his...
Burrell shuts out Valley to snap 6-game streak in ‘Battle of the Bypass’
Throughout the history of the “Battle of the Bypass,” Burrell and Valley have traded winning streaks. On Friday, Burrell ended Valley’s six-game win streak that started in 2013. Mike Scherer led the way on the ground, rushing for 124 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, and Central Catholic transfer...
Kiski Area boys hoping to build on chemistry established in 2018
Midway through last season, the Kiski Area boys soccer team hit its stride. After a 6-2 win over Armstrong at the end of September, the Cavaliers went on a three-game winning streak that moved them from a game under .500, to two games over. Then, they won five of their...
With experience and talent, Kiski Area girls soccer looks to improve
With a talented group of underclassmen, the Kiski Area girls soccer team made significant strides last season. They stitched together multiple win streaks throughout the season and captured a first-round playoff victory for the second time in as many years. It was also their first year playing against new opponents...
Ross takes on leadership role for young Valley team
Leadership is a quality every coach looks for in his players. They look for players who can step up when the game is on the line or someone who leads with his voice and actions, a player who holds teammates to higher standards. Valley’s Vaun Ross is ready to step...
A-K Valley football Q&A with Kiski Area’s Jason Baker
In an effort to revamp his team, Kiski Area football coach Sam Albert dug into the depths of the high school to recruit student-athletes he believed could help improve their chances this season. When he did, he came out with a large target for his new quarterback this season. After...
Valley’s 6-game winning streak on line in ‘Battle of the Bypass’
There’s never a lack of excitement when Burrell and Valley get together for the “Battle of the Bypass.” “Man, we are looking at it like it’s Burrell week,” Valley’s Vaun Ross said excitedly. “What week is it? It’s Burrell week! We’re excited, man. All of us, we’re hyped, and we...
Fichter more optimistic for 2nd season at Brownsville
Even before the 2018 season started, the Brownsville football team was facing an uphill battle. Coach Scott Fichter didn’t take over the program until June, and the Falcons weren’t fully staffed until around August. Because of the late start, Fichter’s ability to develop a program was hampered. After a full...
Deer Lakes looking to build on historic 2018 season
The Deer Lakes girls soccer team won’t be short on fire power in 2019. A year after winning their first section title and advancing to the WPIAL semifinals for the first time in a decade, the Lancers return nine starters and two all-WPIAL selections, including 2018 Valley News Dispatch Player...
Deer Lakes enters season with ‘unfinished business’ mindset
Deer Lakes boys soccer made a historic run last season. The Lancers captured their first section championship in 15 years, reached the PIAA tournament for the first time in school history and then came up just short of a state championship, falling to Fleetwood, 1-0, in the finals. After a...
West Allegheny’s Hendrick named to USA Baseball 18U national roster
West Allegheny’s Austin Hendrick has had an impressive summer. He’s made a name for himself by participating in national showcases, home run derby contests and he even played in MLB’s High School All-Star game at Progressive Field in Cleveland. He hasn’t just competed either; he’s proven to be one of...
