Knoch stays unbeaten after topping Highlands
Kam Grassi threw for one touchdown and ran for another to lead Knoch to a 24-0 shutout of host Highlands in the Northwest Eight Conference.
The victory marks the first time since 2012 that Knoch (4-0, 3-0), ranked No. 5 in WPIAL Class 4A, opened its season with four consecutive victories. The Golden Rams (0-4, 0-2) remain winless.
Grassi opened the scoring with a 23yard touchdown pass to Scott Fraser in the first quarter. Justin Tristani added a 37-yard field goal in the second quarter and the Knights took a 10-0 lead into halftime.
Knoch also scored on a 1-yard sneak by Grassi in the third quarter and a 5yard run by Matt Goodlin in the fourth quarter. Goodlin rushed for 96 yards on 17 carries to increase his season totals to 708 yards on 80 carries.
More 4A
Thomas Jefferson 62, Indiana 0: The top-ranked Jaguars (4-0, 3-0) scored 55 points in the first half en route to a Big Eight Conference win over the host Little Indians (1-3, 1-2). Shane Stump completed 4 of 5 passes for 102 yards and connected with Dan Deabner on a 22yard scoring play. Dylan Mallozzi scored on touchdown runs of 4, 37, and 36 yards as the Jaguars remained undefeated.
Belle Vernon 63, Laurel Highlands 13: Jared Hartman threw four touchdown passes to lead the No. 3 Leopards (2-1, 1-1) to a convincing victory over the visiting Mustangs (0-4, 0-1) in the Big Eight Conference. Hartman completed 14 of 16 passes for 151 yards and connected with Larry Calloway, Ian Maloney, Dane Anden, and Nolan Labuda on touchdown passes. Calloway also scored on a 5-yard run and an 87yard kickoff return
New Castle 45, Beaver 0: The No. 5 Hurricanes blanked the the visiting Bobcats (1-3, 0-3) in the Northwest Eight Conference. Beaver has given up 142 points in their last three games.
South Fayette 49, Greensburg Salem 0: Andrew Franklin rushed for 110 yards on 15 carries and scored three touchdowns, as the No. 2 Lions (3-1) posted a road victory over the Golden Lions (1-3) in a non-league game. Franklin scored on runs of 5, 1, and 5 yards. Naman Alemada completed 11 of 18 passes for 175 yards for the Lions and connected with Joey Audia and Ryan McGuire on touchdown passes.
Blackhawk 49, Ambridge 0: The Cougars (2-2, 2-1) accumulated 454 yards in total offense, while holding the host Bridgers (0-4, 0-1) to 21 yards in this Northwest Eight Conference game. Blackhawk led, 35-0, at halftime. Logan Calior scored twice for the Cougars on runs of 3 and 47 yards. The Cougars rushed for 365 yards.
Class 3A
Aliquippa 27, Montour 14: The Quips (4-0), ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, remained unbeaten with this road victory over the Spartans (1-3), who compete in Class 4A, in this non-league encounter. Aliquippa has outscored its opponents 177-37.
South Park 28, Keystone Oaks 14: The visiting Eagles (1-2, 1-1) handed the No. 5 Golden Eagles (3-1, 1-1) their first loss in this Tri-County West Conference upset. Rudy Mihoces scored twice for the Eagles on runs of 19 and 2 yards. The Eagles also scored on a 55-yard run by Nathan May and a 48-yard pass from Stephen Kmonk to Seth Jones. Logan Shrubb threw for 176 yards and rushed for 156 yards for the Golden Eagles.
Derry 7, Mount Pleasant 0: A first quarter 1-yard touchdown run by Pryce Donovan was the only score in this Big East Conference game, as the No. 4 Trojans (3-1, 2-0) defeated the Vikings (2-2, 1-1).
Elizabeth Forward 31, Freeport 13: Nico Mrvos accounted for three touchdowns, as the Warriors (3-0, 3-0) remained unbeaten with a win over the visiting Yellow Jackets (0-3, 0-3) in the Big East Conference. Mrvos, who rushed for 138 yards on 14 carries, scored on a 34-yard run. He also threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Chase Whatton and returned a fumble 44 yards for a score.
Hopewell 31, Waynesburg 7: Micah Kimbrough rushed for 263 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries to lead the Vikings (1-3, 1-1) to their first victory, defeating the visiting Raiders (2-2, 0-2) in the Tri-County West Conference. Kimbrough scored on runs of 8, 89, and 93 yards. Kimbrough also threw a touchdown pass to Jay’von Jeter. Waynesburg’s Trevor Stephenson ran for 187 yards and a touchdown.