Sep 19, 2016 By Eleanor Bailey 8 min read

Plenty will be going on at Dormont Stadium come Sept. 23. Not only is it Gold Out Night to raise awareness for Childhood Cancer, the Golden Eagles will be hosting Beaver Area in a non-conference football clash.

Don’t say this game doesn’t have consequences, as the contest pits two undefeated Class AAA squads with premier players against one another. The Bobcats boast Darius Wise, while the Golden Eagles feature Alex Smith.

Wise is a major Division I recruit. Brigham Young University is interested in him for football and basketball, while Colorado State is among the schools recruiting the 5-11, 173-pound tailback for gridiron action. Wise has rushed for 506 yards and eight touchdowns this season for the Bobcats, who are 3-0 overall after thumping Quaker Valley, 38-14, in Beaver Valley Conference action.

“He’s a legitimate Division I kid. What more can you say about him?” said KO coach Greg Perry. “When you see him on film, you have to be concerned about him.”

Beaver’s concern is Smith. The Duquesne University recruit completed 17 of 25 passes for 269 yards in a 46-21 victory against Deer Lakes last week.

Smith ranks among the Top 12 passers in the WPIAL this season. He has completed 51 of 76 aerials for 794 yards.

Smith’s top targets have been Dylan Knorr and Nick Hrivnak. Against the Lakers, Dylan Knorr corralled six aerials for 100 yards. He caught a 45-yard scoring strike. Knorr and Hrivnak, with more than 15 receptions, each ranks among the top receivers in the WPIAL.

“They have been our go-to guys,” said Perry. “Dylan has that breakaway speed, and Nick is more a possession-type receiver. They have done well.”

Defensively, the Golden Eagles have done well. In the win against the Lakers, the KO defense excelled, turning three picks into six points apiece. Knorr returned an interception for a 55-yard score. Hrivnak raced 90 yards for a score after his pick, and Quinandre Leonard went 63 yards on his interception into the end zone.

“We’ve been making the defensive stops. Our kids are in a good place,” said Perry. “Offensively, we have been accurate. Our line has given Alex time to pass and, if need be, he can get out of his own way and make things happen. We are making good plays, and the kids are playing well together. That’s what playing a team sport is all about.”

Perry also noted the play of offensive linemen like Tim Mazzarini and Christian Forrisi, as well as Devin Thomas at running back.

“They are helping us keep defenses off balance,” Perry said. “You need all kinds of contributions from everybody to be successful. We have kids with experience. Kids who are freshmen and sophomores, have taken their lumps. Now it’s their turn to give back and shine. These kids have an opportunity to make a difference.”

Knoch at South Fayette

After a homecoming victory against Uniontown, 63-7, the undefeated Lions return to Northwest Conference action when they host the Knights. Knoch is 1-2 overall and coming off a 21-14 win against Highlands.

The Knights feature Mac Christy. The 6-4, 235-pound signal caller, who rushed for 125 yards and two TDs against Highlands, is the son of former NFL standout Jeff Christy.

“(Mac) is the focal point of their offense,” said SF coach Joe Rossi. “He will run the ball from their various sets. Knoch’s offensive line also gets off the ball as well as any team that we have played to date.”

Additionally, the Knights are stingy on defense and swarm to the ball. They feature a strong core of linebackers, led by Austin Renfrew. “He is very active and will blitz often,” Rossi added.

Rossi also noted that Knoch’s head coach, Mike King, is a winner and that his teams produce every season. “We look forward to a great challenge while we strive to get better each day,” Rossi said.

Against Uniontown, the Lions were near their best. In the romp, Drew Saxton completed nine of 16 passes for 160 yards, while Geavanie Love rambled for 137 yards. Saxton, who has 713 passing yards and eight scores this fall, tossed TD aerials of 44 and 19 yards to Noah Plack, as well as a 4-yard scoring strike to Dan Trimbur, who also kicked a 40-yard field goal.

Love, who leads the team with 329 yards and five TDs, rushed for a 37-yard score. Mike Speca, Tristan Tinney, Joe Mowod and Zach Blank also ran for touchdowns.

Defensively, Love had eight tackles, as did Dom Malosh. Will Allen followed with seven. Malosh and Love led the team in tackles ,followed by Ray Eldridge and Plack.

Fox Chapel at USC

The Panthers celebrate Hall of Fame night and homecoming Sept. 23 when they host Fox Chapel at 7:30 p.m.

Former standout athletes Mike McHugh (baseball, soccer, basketball) and Oren Eschenasy (tennis) will be inducted into inducted into the athletic wing of the school’s halls of fame. Reception will be held at 3:30 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony in the theatre at 4:30. After dinner, a Parade of Honor to Panther Stadium will be held at 7:15.

Among the former students being inducted into the Arts wing of the halls are: Chelsea Baratz, Benny Benack III, Anthony Jeselnik, Michael Kopp and Earl (Bud) Marlett. The academic inductees are Karen Ho, Mahesh Krishnan, Joseph (J.J.) Plecs and Todd Ollendyke.

The alumni return home to another winning football team, one that is off to a 3-0 start in the Allegheny Nine Conference after a 43-3 triumph against rival Baldwin. The Panthers are averaging 35.3 points a game while limiting the opposition to league low of 4.3 against.

The triumph marked the return of Thomas Vissman to tailback after a lower-leg injury. The Yale recruit racked up 119 yards against the Highlanders. He scored three times on runs of 15, 5 and 1 yards. Vissman ranks No. 2 on the team in rushing with 173 yards on 20 carries.

Blake Kadar, who scored on a 5-yard run against Baldwin, leads the ground attack with 268 yards for a 6.3-yard average per carry.

Dom Cepullio rushed for a 55-yard score and hauled in a 26-yard scoring strike from Jack Hansberry while Jeff Howard kicked the extra points against the Highlanders. Cepullio, who averages 34.5 yards per punt, is tied for first in the receiving department with Jackson Geisler. Kahil Jackson follows. Cepullio, however, has three TD grabs. Hansberry is proving efficient behind center, completing 17 of 31 attempts for 249 yards and four scores.

CV at Woodland Hills

Chartiers Valley (1-1, 2-2) looks to rebound from its 14-0 loss to West Allegheny, but it will not be easy as the Colts travel to the Wolvarena in Turtle Creek to face Woodland Hills (2-0, 3-1) in Allegheny Nine Conference action.

In the loss to West A, Reed Bruggeman completed 8 of 19 passes for 110 yards. Bruggeman ranks among the passing leaders in the WPIAL. He has completed 37 attempts for 481 yards and two scores this season.

Despite losing many members from last year’s WPIAL semifinal squad, the Wolverines have rebuilt. Their offense centers around Saeed Holt, who ranks among the rushing leaders in the WPIAL.

SLS at Serra

The Rebels take a break from Allegheny Conference AAA action when they visit Serra at 7 p.m. Sept. 23. Serra is 2-2 overall while the Rebels are 2-1 after beating Burrell, 27-16.

In the conference win, Lionel Deanes rolled up 260 yards rushing. He scored a 57-yard TD. Deanes ranks among the WPIAL’s Top 7 running backs. He has rushed for 683 yards.

Aganst Burrell, Christian Weyrich (6 and 11 yards), Nistal Baldwin (21) and Luke Kastelic (2) also ran for scores. Cullen Vereb kicked the extra points.

Canevin at Riverview

The Crusaders defeated Leechburg, 35-3, and now prepare for their Eastern Conference clash set for Sept. 24 at Riverview. The Crusaders are 1-1 in the league and 2-1 overall, while Riverview is 1-2 overall.

In the win against Leechburg, Zack Trusky rushed for three scores, of 20, 5 and 7 yards. Austin Scott caught an 11-yard TD pass from Brian DeSchon, and Tyrese Jennings added a 23-yard rushing score.

Burgettstown at C-H

The Buccaneers smashed Brownsville, 58-20, to improve to 2-0 in the Century Conference and 3-1 overall. The Bucs now entertain Burgettstown at 7 p.m. Sept. 23.

In the win against Brownsville, A.J. Myers scored three times, once on a 40-yard punt return and twice on receptions of 30 and 23 yards from T.J. Johnston.

Johnston finished with 206 passing yards, completing 9 of 11 attempts. He ranks among the passing leaders in the WPIAL with 636 yards.

On the ground, Spencer Terling rushed for three scores, measuring 6, 3 and 74 yards. Shawn Wheeler and Matt Whiftfield also ran for touchdowns of 5 and 2 yards, respectively.