Each Friday throughout the high school football season, the Valley News Dispatch will take a look back at the players, coaches and events that are part of local scholastic history.

Three days after Hurricane Ivan caused 63 of 67 WPIAL games to be postponed, Apollo-Ridge won its first game of the season against Wilkinsburg, 33-6. Jeff Zelonka threw for three touchdowns and 138 yards to lead the Vikings on Sept. 20, 2004.

Five years ago

• Tyler Singer's 29-yard field goal with 7:11 left in the game proved to be the difference as Freeport defeated Burrell, 20-17. Mitch Shaw scored on a 97-yard punt return, and quarterback Alex Isenberg added an 80-yard touchdown run.

• Kiski Area's Josh Taylor scored on a 62-yard run and added a 59-yard interception return as the Cavaliers blanked Highlands, 20-0.

10 years ago

• In a game delayed a day because of rainstorms related to Hurricane Ivan, Deer Lakes played its first game on artificial turf and prevailed over Shady Side Academy, 32-14. Travis Ankeny rushed for 193 yards on 32 carries to break in the new turf.

20 years ago

• Springdale went to 4-0 for the first time in 30 years with a 28-7 victory at Greensburg Central Catholic. Chris Gent scored two Dynamos touchdowns, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass.

• After a 71-year absence, Shady Side Academy returned to the WPIAL ranks and won its initial Allegheny Conference game 34-7 over Apollo-Ridge behind two Chris Kane touchdown receptions.

25 years ago

• Nearly 73 hours after the lights went out at East Allegheny's Churchman Stadium, Ford City returned to put the finishing touches on a 13-6 victory behind Kevin McDowell's 36-yard TD run with 2:36 left in the game.

• Despite remnants of Hurricane Hugo, sophomore Jay White scored on runs of 76, 15 and 3 yards as Valley hammered Greensburg Central Catholic, 47-6.

30 years ago

• Burrell held Springdale to minus-35 rushing yards and quarterback Jeff McCarrell tossed TD passes to John Como, Chris Haidze and Mark Zeiler in a 33-0 rout.

• Riverview's Rich Rossi ran for two touchdowns as the Raider defeated Bishop Boyle, 30-14.

40 years ago

• Plum's Mark Pupilli ran for 174 yards, including touchdowns from 50 and 45 yards, as the Mustangs downed Moon, 28-13. Pupilli will be inducted into the Plum Hall of Fame on Nov. 13.

• Jeff Sinclair ran for a touchdown and passed to Joe Witucki for another as Highlands held on to defeat Seneca Valley, 20-19.

50 years ago

• With a season-ending injury to Oakmont's Alan Delmonaco, quarterback Rob Erdeljac stepped in and tossed a pair of TD passes to Stan Flowers as the Oaks blasted Coraopolis, 37-7.

• West Deer won its first game of the season, edging Richland, 13-12, behind two Paul Martinez touchdowns.

75 years ago

• Tarentum routed Kittanning, 33-0, behind two touchdowns each from Bob Smith and Ray Greco at RiverView Park, now known as Dreshar Stadium.

George Guido is a freelance writer.

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