Hopewell coach Dave Vestal, who once won a state title with the Vikings, was hired Monday night to coach football at Seneca Valley.

“He's got a proven record of success,” Seneca Valley athletic director Heather Lewis said.

Vestal's record was 92-59 with nine playoff berths in 14 seasons as Hopewell's head coach. The past two years, his teams finished 1-8 and 0-9. But they won WPIAL and PIAA Class AAA titles in 2002 with future NFL linebacker Paul Posluszny, and were WPIAL runners-up in 2001 and 2009, the latter with Rushel Shell, the state's all-time leading rusher.

“What resonated for me throughout the entire process was just his passion about coaching and teaching,” Lewis said.

For now, Vestal was hired only as football coach. The district hires teachers later in the year. A Boardman, Ohio native, Vestal played football at Miami, Ohio.

— Chris Harlan

Stats of the day

5

Undefeated boys hoops teams: NA (13-0), Hampton (12-0), Indiana (11-0), Aliquippa (11-0), Sewickley Acad. (11-0)

1

Margin of victory for North Allegheny gymnastics over three-time champ Moon, 137.25 to 136.25

They said it ...

“You won't find 17 teams of this caliber anywhere else in the country. It really gets the guys prepared because the guys they need to beat in the WPIAL tournament are from Westmoreland County.”

— Norwin wrestling coach Bill Closson, after Saturday's WCCA tournament

Zanotto awarded MVP honor at all-star game

Franklin Regional senior linebacker Brett Zanotto, a Maryland recruit, was named the most valuable player on defense Saturday at the Blue-Grey Football All-American Bowl in Tampa Bay.

Zanotto's Blue team fell to the Grey, 39-14.

— Staff report

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