After loss, Erie McDowell eager for life in WPIAL

Coach Mark Soboleski said travel is part of life for his Erie McDowell football team. So, he said its recent admission into WPIAL Class AAAA is welcomed by players, coaches and fans.

After all, McDowell used to travel to State College and Altoona before playing WPIAL teams as far south as Connellsville the past four years. Now, it gets an opportunity to participate in the WPIAL playoffs for the first time.

"It's a matter of playing good competition," he said, noting that Erie Strong Vincent was the only other AAAA team in District 10. "The kids take a lot of pride in being part of the WPIAL. It is one of the best football (leagues) in the country."

McDowell was 8-3 last season, and has played well in two losses to Gateway this season leading, 17-14, until late in the third quarter. It also lost to State College, 16-7, in the first round of the PIAA playoffs the week before State College beat WPIAL champion Woodland Hills, 14-3.

McDowell will bring another good team to Quad A, which had only eight of 26 teams with winning records this season. Altoona (AAAA) and Hollidaysburg (AAA) also will be new WPIAL members the next two years.

• North Allegheny senior goalkeeper Rachel Middleman was part of the Cleveland Internationals' under-17 girls soccer team that won the United Soccer League's Super Y-League North American Championship last month in Tampa, Fla. The Internationals, the sixth-ranked team in the U.S., defeated opponents from Ottawa, New Jersey and Florida. Middleman, who has accepted a scholarship to Ohio State, was a four-year letter winner at North Allegheny and three-time all-Section 2-AAA selection. Also, she has played on the U.S. women's national team (under-16) and in numerous U.S. and international venues, including Italy.

• Lancaster Catholic quarterback Kyle Smith was named the 2009-10 Gatorade Pennsylvania Football Player of the Year. Smith, 6-foot-4, and 215 pounds, threw for 2,387 yards and 46 touchdowns -- both state records -- with only five interceptions. He led Lancaster Catholic (12-1) into the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals where it defeated Loyalsock, 19-13, on Saturday. He is undecided on college, with only an offer from Akron, but he has a 4.5 grade-point average.

Digit

14 -- Times in the past 21 years that WPIAL football teams have won one or zero PIAA championships among the four classifications.