The game between returning WPIAL champions Aliquippa and Belle Vernon was canceled Friday night after almost two hours in delays due to lightning.
The Quips, who won WPIAL and PIAA titles in Class 4A last season, were hosting the Leopards, who earned WPIAL and PIAA titles in Class 3A, in a nonconference game at Aliquippa’s Heinz Field.
Aliquippa had a 12-0 lead when the game was stopped for the second time with 1:49 left in the first half. Because the first half was not completed, the game will be listed as a no contest. The teams decided that continuing the game tomorrow was not an option.
Aliquippa took advantage of two turnovers to score twice. An interception by Qa’lil Goode set up a six-play, 35-yard drive that was capped with a 6-yard run by Tiqwai Hayes with 8:04 left in the first quarter. One minute later, the game was stopped for 56 minutes by lightning.
When the game resumed, Belle Vernon’s Kole Doppelheuer fumbled a punt, which gave Aliquippa the ball at the Leopards 41. Eight plays later, Sa’Nir Brooks scored on a 16-yard run.
The game was stopped a second time with 1:49 left in the first half. After a second delay of 60 minutes, the game was canceled.
Also in Class 4A
Knoch 28, North Catholic 17: Codi Mullen scored three touchdowns, as the Knights (1-1) knocked off the Class 3A No. 5-ranked Trojans (0-2) in a game that had a 60-minute delay due to lightning. Mullen scored on runs of 2 and 4 yards and caught an 80-yard scoring pass from Colt Sprankle. Sprankle completed 9 of 14 passes for 166 yards and also ran 28 yards for a touchdown.
Trinity 49, McGuffey 6: Jonah Williamson rushed for 98 yards on 9 carries and scored on runs of 31 and 1 yards to lead the Hillers (1-1) to a convincing win against the visiting Highlanders (0-2). Also scoring touchdowns for Trinity were: Caden Vogel, Daniel Glass, Nico Mauro, Mekhi Bouman and Owen Samogala.
New Castle 42, Hopewell 19: Kyrell Harris completed 9 of 10 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Hurricanes (2-0) to a convincing win against the visiting Vikings (1-1). He connected with Nate McKnight on scoring passes of 43 and 47 yards. McKnight had five catches for 181 yards. Harris also scored on a 23-yard run.
Indiana 14, Ringgold 13: The Little Indians (1-1) posted their first win of the season with their narrow victory in overtime against the visiting Rams. It’s the 27th consecutive loss for Ringgold.
Class 3A
Highlands 53, Elizabeth Forward 52: Jahmar Wright ran for three touchdowns, threw for another and ran for the two-point conversion in the third overtime, which gave the Golden Rams (1-1) their narrow victory over the visiting Warriors (0-2), who entered the nonconference game ranked No. 4 in Class 3A. Wright scored on runs of 1, 4 and 8 yards and connected with Montrell Johnson on a 27-yard scoring pass. Elizabeth Forward’s Charlie Nigut rushed for 176 yards on 19 carries and scored on runs of 46, 49 and 10 yards. Nigut also caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Messina.
Greensburg Salem 43, Ligonier Valley 14: Peyton Chismar completed two passes, and both went for touchdowns, as the Golden Lions (2-0) remained unbeaten with a nonconference win against the visiting Rams (1-1). Chismar connected with Dominic Rosensteel and Max Topper on scoring passes of 5 and 70 yards. Kai Brunot rushed for 142 yards on 12 carries and scored on a 9-yard touchdown run for the Golden Lions. Mark Jablunovsky scored both touchdowns for Ligonier Valley on an 82-yard run and a 74-yard reception from Boden Schreyer.
Southmoreland 49, East Allegheny 14: Anthony Smith threw for three touchdowns and ran for another to lead the Scotties (2-0) to a convincing victory against the visiting Wildcats (0-2). Smith completed 11 of 23 passes for 189 yards and connected with Elliot Premus on scoring passes of 20 and 62 yards and with Makel Darnell on a 34-yard touchdown pass. Smith also ran 9 yards for a score. Premus also scored on a 53-yard run.
Avonworth 28, West Mifflin 22: Bryce Metz scored on runs of 29 and 4 yards in the second half, as the Class 3A No. 2-ranked Antelopes (2-0) remained unbeaten with their narrow win against the visiting Titans (1-1). Avonworth also scored on a 12-yard run by Nico Neal and a 12-yard pass from Carson Bellinger to Noah Goetz. West Mifflin’s Armand Hill rushed for 102 yards on 21 carries and scored on a 3-yard run. Zahir Ismaeli ran for one touchdown and threw for another for the Titans.
Yough 21, Charleroi 9: Raidon Kuroda rushed for 146 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead the Cougars (2-0) to a road victory against Charleroi (0-2).
First Published: August 31, 2024, 3:32 a.m.
