Through the years: Leechburg earned memorable win in 1944

By: George Guido
Thursday, September 5, 2019 | 5:15 PM

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

75 years ago

• On the final play of the game, Leechburg’s Donald Goglio took a snap off his shoulder and scored from 8 yards to defeat Arnold, 12-6, at Leslie Memorial Stadium. Tony DePetero’s 13-yard run had tied the game for Arnold in the second quarter.

• In a rare Thursday night encounter, Freeport’s Don Aggers scored on a reverse to cap an 80-yard drive, and Charles Hagins broke through for an 8-yard run in the third quarter as the Yellowjackets defeated Springdale, 14-0.

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60 years ago

• Apollo’s Dick Heckman blocked two punts that led to touchdowns as the Striped Tigers knocked off Saltsburg, 30-13. Dan Hilty scored two touchdowns for Apollo.

• Freeport routed Ford City, 38-19. Guy Conti, Tom Roenigk and Tom Rykaceski scored two touchdowns each for the Yellowjackets.

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50 years ago

• Oakmont quarterback Dave Lattanzi threw touchdown passes to Bill Skinner and John Doyle, ran for a touchdown and a pair of 2-point conversions as the Oaks earned a 22-6 win over Penn Claridge at Riverside Park.

• Quarterback Jim Allera ran for a touchdown and threw scoring passes to Bob Noble, Ron Booker and Bucky Troilo as Kiski Area pounded Greensburg Salem, 34-13, before a capacity crowd at Davis Field.

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40 years ago

• Kittanning quarterback Jim Stivason passed for three touchdowns and kicked four extra points as the Wildcats downed Richland, 34-14.

• Burrell opened its season with a 16-6 victory over Sto-Rox as Jeff DeSantes scored on a 22-yard run and Paul Serluco passed to Tom Moses for a 7-yard touchdown. Dave Weston sacked Sto-Rox quarterback Greg Crossey three times.

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25 years ago

• Deer Lakes won the 100th game in school history by defeating Geibel, 27-7, at Connellsville Stadium. Junior quarterback Don McDowell, making his first varsity start, threw three touchdown passes.

• Craig Johnson ran for two touchdowns as Valley bested Southmoreland, 20-7. Justin Jones, subbing for injured quarterback Dan Wansley, scored on an 8-yard bootleg for the other Vikings touchdown.

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10 years ago

• Sophomore quarterback Neil Wilson ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 62 yards and another score as Fox Chapel slammed Highlands, 32-13. Foxes running back Montay Green also tallied on a 73-yard run.

• Burrell’s John Gigler scored on rushing plays of 2 and 4 yards and returned a pass interception 35 yards for another score as the Bucs blasted Deer Lakes, 42-6, taking advantage of five Lancers turnovers.

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Five years ago

• Apollo-Ridge manhandled Valley, 49-0, as Duane Brown scored on a 47-yard pass interception and a 76-yard punt return. Jonah Casella scored on an 81-yard run on A-R’s second play from scrimmage.

• Knoch escaped Offutt Field with a 19-14 decision over Greensburg Salem. Cody Milson ran for two Knights scores and Asa Adams picked off a Brady Mason pass to end the game.