Five things we learned in Week 5
Each Monday we’ll look back at the highlights of the week that was in local high school football.
This week there was a heartbreak for Wash High, a Burgettstown buzzer beater, a milestone for Trinity and a freshman that made waves at quarterback for Ringgold.
1. Burgettstown’s buzzer beater
Burgettstown added another chapter to its special season so far when Blake Neal scored on a 1-yard run with 28 seconds remaining in a 10-6 win over Monessen in a battle of previously unbeaten teams.
The Blue Devils and Greyhounds have both had feel-good stories this year, but one had to win Friday and it was late heroics from Neal that sealed the deal.
Neal has been outstanding for Burgettstown this year. He had 218 yards passing, including a 33-yard connection with Bryce Speer that set up the winning score.
The Blue Devils’ defense continued to shine too. They’ve allowed only 13 points through five games and have three shutouts.
The game was tied 0-0 after three quarters, meaning Burgettstown had a shutout streak of 17 quarters.
Monessen, a week after upsetting Fort Cherry, proved to be formidable again in a losing effort. The Greyhounds will look to get back on track next week against Brentwood.
Burgettstown hosts Fort Cherry, for what is typically a spirited contest no matter the sport, but given the Blue Devils’ 5-0 start and Fort Cherry being 4-1, Friday’s contest should be a special chapter for the bitter rivals.
2. Wash High heartbreak
When something inexplicable or against the grain would happen to the New York Yankees in a baseball game, the late legendary broadcaster John Sterling would say “That’s baseball, Suzyn” to his broadcast partner Suzyn Waldman.
I don’t know if there’s a football equivalent to that phrase in the football broadcasting lexicon, but that’s kind of what Wash High experienced Friday night against Clairton.
The Prexies were up 7-0, but the cushion seemed much more because of the way they were playing defense.
Clairton hadn’t got past its own 42-yard line until one play flipped the momentum.
Ty’Ron Armstrong blocked a punt that set up Clairton at the Washington 14.
It was the field-flipper that the Bears needed.
Quintin Napper scored on a three-yard run and followed that by running in a two-point conversion to give Clairton the lead and the Bears went on to win 8-7.
The Prexies held Clairton to 92 yards of total offense, but some stalled drives of their own proved costly.
Most nights you hold Clairton to less than 100 yards and you win, but that’s football.
Don’t be surprised if the two teams meet again in the playoffs.
3. 400 for Trinity
Friday’s 27-21 win at Mars was the 400th football victory for Trinity.
The Hillers had to sweat out a late comeback by Mars, but left Butler County with a milestone victory.
Owen Gardner’s 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter proved to be the winning score.
Trinity appears to be a little healthier than they were two weeks ago against South Fayette. Quarterback Owen Samogala returned and was 8 of 13 passing for 196 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 80 yards on eight attempts.
The Hillers host rival Thomas Jefferson in the conference opener Friday.
4. Freshman QB shines for Ringgold
Jase Trumpe attempted only eight passes Friday for Ringgold and completed five, but they were meaningful connections.
Trumpe, a freshman, threw for 173 yards and three touchdowns in the Rams’ 46-7 drubbing of South Park.
Two of Trumpe’s touchdowns went to Dennis Hawkins, who had been playing quarterback for the Rams and another went to Youngstown State recruit Demetri Lowe.
All-in-all it was a good night for the young signal caller.
5. Overtime thrillers
Caden Hackinson is a member of the defending state champion Bentworth boys soccer team, but he makes an impact on the football team too as the kicker.
That was certainly the case Friday.
Hackinson made a 22-yard field goal in overtime to lift Bentworth to a 20-17 win over Brentwood.
Hackinson also hit a 27-yard field goal earlier in the game.
It was a thrilling win for the Bearcats who improved to 3-2 and 1-0 in Black Hills Conference play.
Bentworth forced a fumble on Brentwood’s OT possession to set up Hackinson’s game-winner.
Canon-McMillan also went to overtime Friday, but left Hempfield disappointed with a 38-34 loss.
Carden Lippman had the game-winning touchdown for the Spartans. Canon-McMillan was held to a field goal during its possession in overtime.
The game had plenty of highlights, including a 37-yard touchdown pass from Ty Jansma to Roman Cimarolli with 27 seconds remaining in regulation, which forced overtime.
Staff writer Jerin Steele can be reached at jsteele@observer-reporter.com