Westmoreland County football notebook: GCC’s Samir Crosby accounts for 6 TDs

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, August 24, 2024 | 3:07 PM

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Samir Crosby had an impressive performance in a wild opener for Greensburg Central Catholic at Shady Side Academy. The Centurions rallied to win 46-40 as the junior quarterback accounted for six touchdowns.

GCC trailed 32-10 in the second quarter before Crosby took command and led a comeback.

He scored four rushing touchdowns, one on a 60-yard dash, and threw for two more, both to Landon Honick.

Crosby rushed for 341 yards on 21 carries and completed 7 of 12 passes for 136 yards. He ran for 262 yards in the second half.

Serra Catholic transfer Jerry Davis kicked a 22-yard field goal for the Centurions.

400 game

Norwin became just the sixth Westmoreland County football program to reach 400 wins when the Knights knocked off Penn-Trafford on Friday night, 26-14, in North Huntingdon.

They join five teams that also won their season openers in Jeannette (778), Greensburg Salem (712), Monessen (686), Latrobe (476) and Ligonier Valley (466).

The Knights are 400-604-36 all time.

They hadn’t won their season opener since 2018.

For kicks

Southmoreland kicker Jake Kaylor etched his name into the program record book Friday when he kicked a 50-yard field goal in the Scotties’ 52-20 win over Valley at Russ Grimm Field.

According to Scotties historian Paul Brittain, the kick broke the 50-year-old mark of 48 yards set by Dave Trout in 1974 against Mt. Pleasant.

Defense strong

Latrobe could be one of the top defensive teams in 5A this season, and the Wildcats are off to a rousing start.

They forced six turnovers in Friday’s 41-0 win over Connellsville. Four of them were interceptions to go with a fumble and a muffed punt.

Safety John Wetzel, a Marshall commit, picked off a pass and took it in for a 25-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

Alex Tatsch, the Wildcats’ coveted Penn State commit, scored on a 51-yard fake punt.

Release the Hounds

Monessen whipped Charleroi, 59-12, for its first season-opening win since 2018. TyVaughn Kershaw scored five touchdowns — three rushing and two on kick returns.

Start me up

Ligonier Valley is used to winning its first game of the season. The Rams, who beat Derry, 20-7, are 16-5 in season-opening games under veteran coach Roger Beitel. That includes a 9-1 mark over the last 10 years.

Hard pass

It’s rare for Jeannette to pass for more yards than it runs for, but the Jayhawks threw for 290 in a win over Mt. Pleasant and rushed for 80.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Jeannette, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Norwin, Southmoreland