Each Thursday throught 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.
Kiski Area's Asayan Jordan scored four touchdowns and ran for 153 yards, as the Cavaliers rolled past Fox Chapel, 28-0, on Sept. 28, 1985. The Foxes were limited to just 20 rushing yards.
Five years ago
Dwight Shannon and Tyler Santucci combined for 227 rushing yards and four touchdowns, as Valley posted a 39-15 victory at Red Ullom Field.
A blocked punt with 1:02 left in the first half helped turn the tide, as Riverview stunned Clairton, 24-14. Greg Scampone had two Raiders touchdowns, while brother Gino added another.
10 years ago
In a rare Friday afternoon encounter at Shady Side Academy's McKelvey Field because of the Rosh Hashanah holiday, Apollo-Ridge took advanatge of eight Indians turnovers and came away with a 42-6 victory. Brian Newton rushed for three touchdowns, and Jake Nulph added two and passed for another.
Freeport running back Denny Gearhart lost a contact lens before the game, but rushed for 160 yards with half his normal vision, as the Yellowjackets pounded Mohawk, 41-19.
20 years ago
Highlands held North Hills to just 52 yards rushing and Criag Chadkowski scored on runs of 80 and 36 yards as the Golden Rams blanked the Indians, 18-0.
Riverview got off to the first 5-0 start in school history by defeating Springdale, 28-7. Jason Dudczak scored a pair of touchdowns from 2 yards out to propel the Raiders.
25 years ago
Tony Sharkins scored on a 20-yard pass from Brian McCarrell and returned a fumble recovery 49 yards, as Burrell shut out Deer Lakes, 28-0.
30 years ago
Deer Lakes held Mars to just 20 offensive yards and two first downs in a 26-0 victory over the Planets. Linebacker Nick Yeckel registered a pair of interceptions and a blocked punt for the Lancers.
Leechburg's Mark Lamendola, in just his second game at quarterback, ran for 2 TDs and threw for another, as the 5-0 Blue Devils vanquished Richland, 35-10.
40 years ago
Valley won for the first time in 13 games by blanking Mount Pleasant, 6-0, at Hurst Stadium. Robert Martin's 5-yard TD run in the fourth quarter was all the Vikings would need.
In a battle of undefeated teams, Verona slammed Homestead, 28-6, before a packed house at Cribbs Field. A goal-line stand in the third quarter helped preserve an 8-6 Panthers lead at the time.
50 years ago
Mic Liberati and Jim Conley each scored two touchdowns, as Springdale took the measure of Leechburg, 26-12. Four years later, Conley would captain the Michigan Wolverines to the Big 10 title and a Rose Bowl victory.
Arnold handed Tarentum a 30-6 setback, as junior Bobby Renock threw two touchdowns passes and picked off three Redcats passes at Dreshar Stadium.
75 years ago
A record crowd at RiverSide Park saw Tarentum come from behind to beat Springdale, 14-12. The winners were treated at the Tarentum Confectionary on Corbet Street after the game, while post-game traffic was in gridlock at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Ross Street for more than a half-hour.
Arnold played heavily-favored Ken High to a 0-0 stalemate at Herr Stadium. Arnold came into the game as a three-touchdown underdog and its fans considered the tie game a 'moral victory.'
