Westmoreland County high school notebook: With pads on, ‘it’s the start of a new year’

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, August 10, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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After a week of “heat” practices and noncontact drills, WPIAL football teams can begin hitting in full pads Monday with the official start of practice.

That means the start of the regular season is less than two weeks away, with Week Zero games set to kick off Aug. 23.

Teams will scrimmage Saturday.

Greensburg Salem coach Ty George, a former quarterback at Hempfield and Seton Hill, said the first-day-of-camp feeling never goes out of style.

“The kids are ready to get the pads on, full-go,” he said. “You figure, we’ve been working together May, June, July, almost four months with no contact. For me, it’s the same thing with teaching: I feel like the students on the first day of teaching. The night before you can hardly sleep.

“It’s the start of a new year.”

New scoreboard

Penn-Trafford approved a $155,000 LED scoreboard for Warrior Stadium, and the plan is to have it operational this fall season.

Athletic director Kerry Hetrick made a formal presentation to the school board last week, notifying members there are six sponsors lined up to cover the cost of the board at $25,000 over five years.

The current scoreboard, Hetrick said, is more than 15 years old and needs to be replaced.

The new board will be similar to what Franklin Regional uses at Panther Stadium and will be provided by Daktronics.

“Advertisements will fully fund the board and create new opportunities for revenue moving forward,” Hetrick said. “The scoreboard will really enhance our facility.”

WCCA golf

The fall schedule for the Westmoreland County Coaches Association will begin Sept. 5 with the girls golf championship at Champion Lakes Golf Course near Bolivar.

The boys golf tournament will follow on Sept. 12 at Latrobe Golf Club.

Recruiting

Belle Vernon football player Anthony Crews is beginning to see his recruiting pick up as his senior year commences.

Crews, who had two thrilling touchdowns in last year’s PIAA Class 3A championship game for the Leopards, grabbed a Division II offer from Central State in Wilberforce, Ohio.

The running back/defensive back also has an opportunity to play at NAIA Indiana Wesleyan.

He had already received an FCS offer from Robert Morris.

• Erica Gribble, a junior basketball standout at Greensburg Central Catholic, added another Division I offer from Bowling Green. It was her second Mid-American Conference offer in less than a week after Kent State tendered.

• Senior Mya McHugh of Latrobe will continue her softball career at Saint Vincent College.

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

Tags: Belle Vernon, Greensburg C.C., Norwin