Thimons, Rams top New Castle in OT
Chandler Thimons threw three touchdown passes, including one in overtime, to lead Highlands to a 28-22 upset of visiting New Castle in the Northwest Eight Conference.
The Hurricanes (5-4, 3-3) were ranked No. 5 in WPIAL Class 4A by the Post-Gazette. The Golden Rams (3-6, 3-4) scored the winning touchdown in overtime on a 10-yard pass from Thimons to D.J. Loveland.
Thimons, who completed 11 of 18 passes for 219 yards, also connected with Johnny Crise on scoring passes of 34 and 76 yards. Crise had 4 catches for 149 yards. Loveland also scored on a 60-yard punt return. Demetrius McKnight scored three touchdowns for New Castle on runs of 1 and 6 yards and on a 53-yard pass from Michael Wells.
More Class 4A
Thomas Jefferson 42, Greensburg Salem 0: The top-ranked Jaguars (9-0, 6-0) recorded their fifth shutout, and third in a row, in a road victory against the Golden Lions (4-5, 4-2) in the Big Eight Conference. The Jaguars were led by Shane Stump, who completed 12 of 17 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Stump connected with James Martinis and Ian Hansen on scoring passes.
South Fayette 61, Ambridge 6: The No. 2-ranked Lions (8-1, 6-0) scored 41 points in the first quarter in this Northwest Eight Conference blowout of the visiting Bridgers (0-9, 0-6). Andrew Franklin and Christian Brandi each scored two touchdowns for the Lions. Franklin scored on a pair of 1yard runs. Brandi scored on runs of 32 and 10 yards. The Lions clinched the conference title.
Montour 46, Beaver 7: The Spartans (5-4, 4-2) recorded their fourth consecutive Northwest Eight Conference victory and qualified for the WPIAL playoffs with this domination of the visiting Bobcats (2-7, 15). Dominic Magliocco rushed for 108 yards on 9 carries and scored on runs of 56 and 1 yards. Gannon Kadlecik scored twice on 1-yard sneaks.
Belle Vernon 58, Plum 17: Jared Hartman completed 25 of 27 passes for 277 yards and four touchdowns as the No. 3 ranked Leopards (7-1) posted a non-conference road victory over the Mustangs (36). Hunter Roukonen caught two of Hartman’s touchdown passes.
Class 3A
North Catholic 48, Yough 13: Zack Rocco ran for three touchdowns and threw for three more to lead the No. 3-ranked Trojans (7-1, 7-0) to a Big East Conference road victory against the Cougars. Rocco scored on runs of 1, 5, and 12 yards. He also completed 15 of 23 passes for 197 yards and connected with Anthony Serventi, Liam Straub, and Nick Mahler on scoring passes. Serventi, who had 112 yards on 12 rushing attempts, also scored on a 19-yard run.
Elizabeth Forward 28, Uniontown 0: The fifth-ranked Warriors (6-2, 5-2) recorded their second consecutive Big Eastern Conference shutout with this win over the visiting Red Raiders (0-9, 0-7). Jacob Prah opened the scoring on a 24-yard pass from Nico Mrvos. The Warriors also scored on a 44-yard run by Zach Boyd, a fumble recovery in the end zone by Nick Murphy, and a 3-yard run by Evan Lewis.
Central Valley 48, South Park 13: Ameer Dudley threw four touchdown passes and ran for another to lead the No. 2-ranked Warriors (8-1, 6-0) to a convincing victory over the visiting Eagles (3-5, 33) in the Tri-County West Conference. Dudley completed 12 of 15 passes for 285 yards and connected with Stephon Hall, Jaylen Guy, Jawon Hall, and Justin Thompson on scoring passes. Dudley also scored on a 1-yard sneak.
Mount Pleasant 35, Freeport 7: Jake Johnson rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries as the Vikings (4-5, 3-4) defeated the visiting Yellow Jackets (3-5, 3-5) in the Big East Conference. Johnson scored on touchdown runs of 1, 93, and 2 yards.
Aliquippa 55, Keystone Oaks 7: Vernon Redd scored on two 75-yard punt returns to lead the top-ranked Quips (9-0, 6-0) to a convincing road victory over the Golden Eagles (5-4, 2-4) in a Tri-County West Conference game played at Dormont Stadium. Antonio Quinn rushed for 159 yards on 15 carries and scored three times on runs of 9, 66, and 26 yards.
Beaver Falls 41, Blackhawk 28: Shileak Livingston scored four touchdowns in the second half to lead the Tigers (7-2) to a non-conference road upset of the Cougars (5-4), who were ranked No. 4 in Class 4A. Livingston rushed for 186 yards on 26 carries and scored on runs of 1, 2, 16, and 6 yards. Josh Butcher led the Cougars with 197 yards and two touchdown runs.