WPIAL Class 6A, 5A football roundup: Pine-Richland upsets top-ranked Central Catholic

By: Tribune-Review
Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 12:45 AM

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Ethan Pillar ran for 300 yards and three touchdowns as Class 5A No. 5 Pine-Richland pulled off the upset of the season, shocking Class 6A No. 1 Central Catholic, 26-19, in a nonconference game Friday night.

Pine-Richland (4-3) took the lead for good on a 37-yard touchdown run by Talan Hill-Ressler in the third quarter.

The Rams stopped Central Catholic’s last chance at a game-tying drive when Vasilios Balouris stuffed a fourth-and-2 running play with 3:06 left.

Central Catholic (6-1) took a 13-7 lead on two big plays by Jacob Sassic. He scored on a 32-yard interception return and a 42-yard pass from Payton Wehner.

Billy Lech made a pair of field goals for the Vikings.

Class 6A

North Allegheny 43, Mt. Lebanon 7 — Khiryn Boyd caught two touchdown passes and returned a punt 36 yards for another score as No. 2 North Allegheny (6-1, 2-1) defeated No. 4 Mt. Lebanon (4-3, 1-2) in Class 6A. Logan Kushner threw for three touchdowns, including two to Tyree Alualu.

Canon-McMillan 30, Baldwin 14 — Zachary Welsh ran for 280 yards and four touchdowns to lead Class 6A No. 3 Canon-McMillan (5-2) to victory over Class 5A Baldwin (1-6). Canon-McMillan trailed heading into the fourth quarter, 14-10. Andrew Sharp rushed for 136 yards and both Baldwin touchdowns.

Seneca Valley 42, Hempfield 13 — Kai West ran for three touchdowns and Sean O’Shea threw for two TDs and ran for another as Class 6A No. 5 Seneca Valley (2-5) defeated Class 5A Hempfield (1-6). Kieran Lippmann caught both Hempfield touchdowns on passes from Dominic Detruf.

Class 5A

Penn Hills 61, Fox Chapel 0 — Julian Dugger threw for 189 yards and one touchdown and ran for another TD as No. 2 Penn Hills (6-1, 3-0) downed Fox Chapel (0-7, 0-3) in Northeast Conference play. Amir Key ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns while Darrell Banks scored on a 38-yard reception from Dugger and a 54-yard interception return.

North Hills 31, Shaler 8 — Connor Davis threw for 161 yards and one touchdown and Jack Martin rushed for 124 yards as North Hills (3-4, 2-2) beat Shaler (4-3, 0-2) in the Northeast Conference. Kaden Orga caught six passes for 118 yards and a touchdown for Shaler.

South Fayette 24, Plum 13 — In nonconference play, Nico Lamonde threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns as South Fayette (3-4) beat Plum (2-5). Michael Gimigliano caught 10 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown in the win. T.J. Futules caught a 13-yard TD pass from Sean Franzi, who also scored on a 3-yard run for the Mustangs.

Woodland Hills 41, Highlands 10 — Zykir Moore scored on two runs and a blocked punt return as Woodland Hills (5-2) beat Highlands (4-3) in nonconference play. Cam Walter threw for 173 yards and three touchdowns. Menage Lucas scored on a 47-yard run, and Burton Babinsack booted a 26-yard field goal for Highlands.

City League

University Prep 46, Brashear 0 — University Prep (5-2, 2-1) blanked Brashear (2-5, 1-2) in City League play.

Steubenville (Ohio) 36, Allderdice 0 — In nonconference play, Steubenville (Ohio) shut out Allderdice (1-6).

Westinghouse 36, Butler 7 — TyJuane Abram ran for 148 yards and a touchdown as Westinghouse (6-0) beat Butler (2-5) in nonconference play. Lamon Bates Jr. added two rushing touchdowns for Westinghouse.

Tags: Baldwin, Brashear, Butler, Canon-McMillan, Central Catholic, Fox Chapel, Hempfield, Highlands, Mt. lebanon, North Allegheny, North Hills, Penn Hills, Pine-Richland, Plum, Seneca Valley, Shaler, South Fayette, University Prep, Westinghouse, Woodland Hills