Pine-Richland opens the season with loss
Coming off a 2022 campaign that included WPIAL and PIAA titles in Class 5A, Pine-Richland learned Friday evening it would have some work to do should the program hope to return to its championship standard, losing 35-14 on the road to Ohio powerhouse Pickerington North.
The Panthers (1-0) jumped ahead early and never looked back. Ahead by two scores late in the first half, a costly turnover by the Rams (0-1) allowed Pickerington to add another touchdown to its credit, making it 21-0 just before the break.
“That was kinda like a dagger,” Pine-Richland coach Jon LeDonne said. “We thought we were in safe mode snapping it to our running back and just getting downhill, but he just couldn’t hold onto the ball.”
The Rams opened the scoring in the second half on a pass from Kanan Huffman to Vasile Balouris.
However, Pickerington North’s Michael Taylor responded later that quarter with his second rushing touchdown to pull his team back into a comfortable position.
Class 6A
Canon-McMillan 14, Penn-Trafford 0: The Big Macs defense opened the season with a big-time effort, pitching a shutout on the road against the Warriors. The Canon-McMillan defense was also responsible for the game’s first score, which came on a 92-yard fumble returned for a touchdown by Jayden Baxter in the third quarter.
Mt. Lebanon 28, Gateway 7: The Blue Devils opened their season with a bang, earning a home victory against the Class 5A Gators. Pat Smith opened the scoring, returning a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown in the opening quarter. Beckham Dee was next to find the end zone, rushing in from 1 yard out in the second quarter. Smith scored his second touchdown of the night late in the third quarter on a 28-yard run. Mt. Lebanon put the game to bed not long after, thanks to a 10yard touchdown pass by Michael Malone.
North Allegheny 61, Allderdice 0: The defending WPIAL Class 6A champion Tigers made light work of the visiting Dragons, winning in dominant fashion. Division I prospect Tonyree Alualu scored two touchdowns for North Allegheny.
Class 5A
Upper St. Clair 24, Norwin 21: In a game that was close until the very end, it was Ethan Hellman’s connection to Carlie Bywalski with just a little more than three minutes remaining that gave the Panthers a goahead score at home against the Knights. Hellman was responsible for two touchdown passes, with his other scoring going to Bryce Jones. Norwin responded to a 14-0 deficit by scoring three consecutive touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough.
Penn Hills 33, Seneca Valley 20: A late push by the Raiders wasn’t enough to overcome a strong 20-0 start by the Indians on their home turf. Pitt recruit Julian Dugger got things started with two touchdown passes, connecting with Cameron Thomas and Martel Palmer. Palmer found the end zone once again the next quarter, returning a kickoff 69 yards.
Shaler 38, Butler 7: Troy Cignetti threw for two touchdowns and rushed for a score, as well, leading the Titans to a home victory over the Class 6A Golden Tornadoes. Nathan Rozzo also had a big night for Shaler, rushing for 75 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Peters Township 35, Fox Chapel
0: Nolan Dilucia completed seven of eight pass attempts for 155 yards and two touchdowns, leading the way for the Indians at home in their season-opening victory against the Foxes. Carter Shanafelt was on the receiving end of both of Dilucia touchdown tosses, finishing the night with 68 yards receiving. SouthFayette 42, Chartiers Valley
14: Nate Danes opened the season for his team with a bang, rushing for 128 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries to lead the Lions to a home victory against the Colts. South Fayette was equally successful in the air thanks to a stellar effort from Nico Lamonde, who completed eight of 10 pass attempts for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
Hempfield 44, Greensburg-Salem 6: Lucas Moore rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown, while his teammate Rogan Katchur ran for three more scores, helping the Spartans earn a blowout victory at home against the Class 3A Golden Lions.
Bethel Park 33, North Hills 10: Mitchell Paschl didn’t touch the ball often but made it count when he did, hauling in five passes for 125 yards and a touchdown to help the Black Hawks earn a road victory against the Indians.
Plum 28, Kiski Area 18: A 14point third quarter was enough to lift the Mustangs to a road victory over the Cavaliers. Darian Nelson led the way for Plum, scoring three touchdowns.
Baldwin 56, Brashear 0: In this year’s Battle of 51, it was the Highlanders who came out on top, dominating the game from start to finish over the Bulls of the City League. Baldwin’s victory included a 44-yard touchdown run Andrew Sharp that started it all.
City League
University Prep 26, New Castle 20 (2OT): In a game that needed not one but two overtimes to reach a final decision, it was the City League representative Panthers who took down the Hurricanes on the road.