BIG RAPIDS – Revenge is sweet it’s said, and the Whitehall football team relished the taste Nov. 8 when the Vikings upset Big Rapids, 17-7 on the Cardinals’ field to win the Division 4 district title and move on to this week’s regional championship.
The Cardinals (9-2) dealt the Vikings a heartbreaking 28-27 loss in last year’s district final, but couldn’t anything going against the Vikings in this one, ending their nine-game winning streak.
Whitehall held the Cardinals to just 185 yards total offense, including just 74 yards rushing in establishing complete control of the game, and the time of possession.
Meanwhile, the Vikings displayed a balanced offensive attack, totaling an impressive 287 yards, 139 rushing and 142 passing in smashing the Cardinals.
“It was a lot of fun. It was pretty special,” Viking coach Tony Sigmon said. “There were some untimely penalties on us, and they were all effort-based penalties like holding and stuff like that. Just kind of at the wrong time.
“I felt like we were really behind the sticks for really pretty much the whole first half, and then we had a couple of balls that were on the ground.
“We lost one fumble as we were getting ready to go into the red zone. It seemed like any time we had momentum in the first half something just kind of stalled it, whether it was a ball on the ground or an untimely penalty.
“Truthfully, road games are tough, but road playoff games are even tougher.”
Despite some first half foibles, the Vikings kept the Cardinals offense under wraps by forcing some fumbles as well, and getting some key stops at crucial times.
Judd Musk gave the Vikings a slim 3-0 lead at the half with a 28-yard field goal after a fumble deep in Big Rapids territory cost them an earlier chance to score.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but the Vikings would strike two minutes into the fourth to extend their lead to 10-0 when quarterback Camden Thompson pitched a 28-yard scoring strike to Hunter Osborne and Musk kicked the extra point.
Osborne also scored on an 11-yard run with just 3:23 left and Musk again booted the extra point to make it 17-0.
Big Rapids finally cracked the scoring column with 2:11 to play.
“The defense was fantastic all night long, and I think that starts in a couple areas,” Sigmon said. “Number one, all the credit goes to our kids because they have stepped up in a big way, in a lot of different places.
“A lot of places on the defensive line, the linebacking corps and the secondary this year. We’ve been beat up a lot this year, and it seems we’ve had to sub a person in that maybe wasn’t on the original starting lineup from what we projected Week One.
“Our team has done a wonderful job, and that showed on defense (against Big Rapids). And then a lot of credit has to go our assistant coaches. They put together a heck of a game plan, and they were able to teach it at high level, and really put our kids in a great position to be successful. There’s a lot of finger prints on that game.”
Gavin Craner had 79 yards rushing on 19 carries to lead the Vikings, Nathan Betz contributed 36 on seven carries and Thompson added 23 on 14 runs.
Thompson, who was a nearly perfect 5-of-6 passing in the first half, hit on both of his throws in the second half to end the night completing 7-of-8 for 142 yards and one score.
Osborne caught three passes for 84 yards and a TD, while Corde Anderson had two receptions for 38.
Anderson was in on nine tackles to lead the Vikings defense, and had one sack. Craner finished with seven stops, and Jack Ambrose five.
Whitehall will be looking for more revenge this week when the Vikings (8-3) host Grand Rapids South Christian (7-4) in the regional finals.
The Sailors defeated top-ranked Hudsonville Unity Christian, 35-28 in their district title game. They lost to Harper Woods, 33-27, in last year’s state final.
Handley junior linebacker Jo-Jo Johnson was named the district’s Defensive Player of the Year as the coaches’ All-Northwestern District football teams were announced on Tuesday.
Johnson, who led the Judges in the regular season with 123 tackles (25.5 for loss) and three sacks, was also one of four Handley players to be named a First Team selection.
Handley running back Hassan Akanbi (Sr.), offensive lineman Jaishaun Offutt (Sr.) and all-purpose Triston Darling (Fr.) were named to the First Team offense. Sherando lineman Parker Fredman (Sr.) and Millbrook lineman Ty Jahnigen (Sr.) also made the First Team offense.
Sherando had five defensive First Team selections: defensive lineman Kaleb Nowlin (Sr.), defensive lineman Hunter Ratchford (Sr.), linebacker James Walters (Sr.), linebacker BB Lowery (Sr.) and defensive back Tucker LaFever (Sr.). Other selections on the First Team defense were James Wood defensive lineman Jordyn Sweetser (Sr.), James Wood linebacker Vincent Salvati (Sr.) and Millbrook defensive all-purpose Chris Bradford (Jr.).
Second Team offensive selections were: Sherando: quarterback Micah Carlson (Sr.), center Jarrett See (Jr.), wide receiver Aiden Leatch (Sr.); Handley: lineman Xavier Lee (Sr.), wide receiver Will Yoder (Jr.), kick returner Rylan Stribling (Jr.); Millbrook: running back Kyler Jackson (Sr.), kicker Masen Savage (Jr.); James Wood: wide receiver Xander Manzo (Jr.).
Second Team defensive selections were: Handley; linebacker and all-purpose Trent Gomez (Jr.), defensive back Gavin Williams (Jr.); Sherando: defensive back Hayden LaFever (Sr.), punter Micah Carlson (Sr.).
Honorable mention offensive picks were: James Wood: quarterback and all-purpose Owen Neal (So.), lineman Lane Herring (So.), wide receiver Xavier Price (So.), running back Kobe Mason (Sr.), kicker Aiden Bell (Jr.); Handley: Darling (Fr.), wide receiver Jamir Washington (Jr.), tight end Ze’Quon Williams (Jr.), kicker Josh Newcome (Jr.); Millbrook: lineman Felipe Gesswein (Jr.), lineman Dennis Portillo (Sr.).
Honorable mention defensive picks were: Millbrook: lineman Ezra Doyle-Naegeli (Sr.), linebacker Trey White (Sr.), defensive back Jahiden Nunez (Sr.); Handley: Akanbi (Sr., punt returner); James Wood: lineman Dominik Ramirez (Jr.); Sherando: lineman Andrew Taylor (Jr.), lineman Ben Taylor (Sr.).
Kettle Run’s Charlie Porterfield won Coach of the Year, and Kettle Run quarterback Jacob Mulhern won Offensive Player of the Year.
Field hockey: SU earns 4 major ODAC awards
The Shenandoah University field hockey team had eight players earn All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference honors and four people earn major awards on Tuesday.
Graduate midfielder Farren Winter earned ODAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Winter has a team-high eight assists this season on top of her 14 goals, which ranks second on the team.
Graduate defender Elise Velasquez earned her third consecutive ODAC Defensive Player of the Year award after being an integral piece of the Hornets’ backline yet again this year.
Senior forward Mairead McKibbin also earned ODAC/Va. Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete, which applauds the commitment and desire shown towards collegiate excellence.
And to top it off, SU coach Ashley Smeltzer-Kraft was tabbed ODAC Coach of the Year after leading the Hornets (18-2, 8-0 ODAC) to a 16-game win streak, which the team will look to extend in Wednesday’s Division III NCAA Tournament match against Westfield State.
Winter, McKibbin, Velasquez, forward Cassidy Morrison, defender Camryn DeLeva, and goalkeeper Taylor Swann all eared All-ODAC First Team honors, while forward and midfielder Claudia Lenahan and midfielder and defender Madison Short were tabbed to the Second Team.
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Quinn Bramble carries the ball while West York defends during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York head coach Ron Miller during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action against Eastern York at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Corban Rumsey, left, moves in to take down West York’s Jensen Ferber just as he passes the ball to teammate Tayvon Thomas during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York’s Tayvon Thomas competes a pass from teammate Jensen Ferber during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action agains Eastern York at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York’s Tayvon Thomas competes a pass from teammate Jensen Ferber during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action agains Eastern York at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Kamal Brown, back, takes down West York quarterback Jensen Ferber during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Ijaimi Valenti, right, hands the ball off to Nuh’si Valenti during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York quarterback Jensen Ferber carries the ball during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action against Eastern York at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Nuh’si Valenti runs the ball to gains some yardage during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Zere’Quez Robinson, center, looks on as teammate Blake Manzanet, right, moves in to take down West York’s Julius Madden during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York head coach Ron Miller during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action against Eastern York at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York head coach Bud Kyle during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Ijaimi Valenti looks to pass the ball during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Ijaimi Valenti passes the ball during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York head coach Bud Kyle during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York’s Issac Roberts, right, runs the ball to gain some yardage while Eastern York’s Kamal Brown defends during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It’s no surprise that students are pushing back on cellphone bans in classrooms. But school administrators in one South Florida county working to pull students’ eyes away from their screens are facing some resistance from another group as well – parents.
Since the beginning of the 2024 school year in August, students in Broward County Public Schools, the country’s sixth largest district, have been barred from using cellphones during the school day, including during lunch and breaks, unless given special permission.
The schools are some of the many across the country wrestling with how to crack down on cellphones, at a time when experts say social media use among young people is nearly universal – and that screen time is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression among kids.
But a survey sent out by the South Florida school district earlier this fall found that of the more than 70,000 students, teachers and parents surveyed, nearly one in five parents believe the cellphone ban is having a negative impact on their student’s wellbeing.
Among the top concerns for the students and parents surveyed is not being able to communicate with their family members, especially in an emergency — an anxiety that cuts deep in the district that’s home to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where a 2018 shooting killed 17 people.
District officials have said students can use their phones during an emergency and that teachers have the flexibility to grant kids access for other reasons too.
“I don’t think any of us thinks kids should be on their phones during class,” said Erin Gohl, a parent and advocate in the district.
“We’re really talking about giving kids tools during those times when they need it,” she added, including letting students use their phones for “positive mental health purposes”.
Officials in the Fort Lauderdale-area district have acknowledged that implementation of the policy has been inconsistent. Some teachers have struggled to monitor students’ phone use, and are facing the reality that for some kids, phones can be a needed tool to access online lessons and turn in assignments, especially for those who don’t have a school-issued laptop. And parents have argued their students are better off with their phones, helping them coordinate afternoon pickup times or text their parents for advice about a school bully.
“I don’t expect students to say — or parents of high schoolers to say — right, that, they don’t want their kids to have cellphones,” said Howard Hepburn, Broward superintendent of schools. “The expectation that we’re going to just have a hard stop is not reality. It takes time.”
Landyn Spellberg, a student advisor to the Broward school board, said there are a lot of benefits to phones — and that the district’s blanket ban isn’t helping students with something many adults still struggle with: learning how to use technology in a healthy way.
“I think it’s important that we teach students about the negatives,” he said. “We don’t inform students of those things.”
___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Roundup of Saturday’s high school sports action from the Greater Spokane League and Eastern Washington.
Girls soccer
District 6 4A
Chiawana 1, Gonzaga Prep 0: Taylor Mills scored in the fifth minute and the visiting fourth-seeded Riverhawks (16-1) defeated the top-seeded Bullpups (12-4-1) in a semifinal. Amelia Pielli had four saves for the Bullpups. Gonzaga Prep will host sixth-seeded Kamiakin in a loser-out on Tuesday.
Lewis and Clark 5, Richland 1: Freshman Charlotte Dix scored three goals in 12 minutes and the visiting third-seeded Tigers (13-3-2) upset the second-seeded Bombers (11-4) in a semifinal. LC will host Chiawana in the championship at ONE Spokane Stadium on Thursday.
Ferris 4, Hanford 1: Sylvie Washington scored two goals and the fifth-seeded Saxons (9-8) defeated the visiting eight-seeded Falcons (7-7-1) in a loser-out. Ferris travels to Richland in a loser-out on Tuesday.
Kamiakin 1, Mead 0 (SO): The sixth-seeded Braves (10-7) eliminated the visiting seventh-seeded Panthers (6-9-2). The wind in Kennewick saw the teams play to a stalemate and Kamiakin prevailed in penalties.
District 6 3A
Mt. Spokane 3, University 1: The second-seeded Wildcats (13-2) defeated the visiting sixth-seeded Titans (9-7-1) in a semifinal. Mt. Spokane hosts fourth-seeded Ridgeline in the championship game at Union Stadium next week.
Ridgeline 2, Walla Walla 0: The visiting fourth-seeded Falcons (9-6-2) defeated the top-seeded Blue Devils (8-7) in a semifinal.
Cheney 3, Kennewick 0: The seventh-seeded visiting Blackhawks (7-10) eliminated the third-seeded Lions (3-13-1). Cheney will face Walla Wala in a loser-out next week.
Southridge 2, Central Valley 1: The fifth-seeded Suns (5-10) eliminated the visiting eighth-seeded Bears (1-13-1). Southridge faces U-Hi in a loser-out on Wednesday.
District 6 2A
Deer Park 5, East Valley 2: Hayden Anderson scored four goals and the Knights (10-6-1) eliminated the Stags (8-8) in a District 6 2A first-round game at Union Stadium. East Valley faces top-seeded West Valley in a semifinal on Tuesday.
Clarkston 1, Rogers 0: The third-seeded Bantams (11-6) won by forfeit. They face second-seeded Pullman in a semifinal on Tuesday.
Northeast A
Riverside 3, Colville 0: Margaret St. Amand scored two goals and the second-seeded Rams (6-7) defeated the visiting third-seeded Crimson Hawks (3-9) in the Northeast A second-place game. Riverside moves on to the District 5/6 crossover on Saturday.
Cross country
District 6 4A: Kamiakin’s Ezra Teeples, Chase Kennard and Noah Thomas swept the top three spots in the boys race, but Lewis and Clark placed five of the next eight runners to take the team title at Veterans Memorial Golf Course in Walla Walla.
Brody Graham led the way for the Tigers, finishing fourth in 15:40.50. LC finished with 39 points, Kamiakin (52 points) was second and Mead (58 points) placed third.
Gonzaga Prep’s Erin McMahon edged teammate Claire Gee by 0.61 seconds to win the girls race and led the Bullpups (42 points) to the district championship. Mead (88 points) was second and Lewis and Clark (92 points) placed third.
District 6 3A: Mt. Spokane’s Kade Brownell (15:20.21) and Parker Westermann (15:21.09) finished 1-2 in the boys race, but Cheney topped the Wildcats 52-67 for the team title. Cheney placed sixth through eighth, led by Samuel Hilton in 15:37.88.
Mt. Spokane’s Jane Wycoff (18:21.82) won the girls race, followed by Central Valley’s Mackenzie Munn (18:49.70) and Cheney’s Hannah Ward (18;53.83). The Wildcats (45 points) took the team district championship, University (67 points) was second and Cheney (89 points) finished third.
District 5/6 2A crossover: Ellensburg’s Mystic Hammond (15:04.77) won the boys race by 48 seconds, leading the Bulldogs (25 points) to the team title at Apple Ridge XC Course in Yakima. West Valley’s Evan McKenzie (15:52.58) was second and the Eagles (101) were a distance second to Ellensburg.
Ellensburg’s Grace Beachy (17:43.01) won the girls race by nearly a minute over West Valley’s Hadassah Duff (18:35.63). The Bulldogs (60 points) won the team title and West Valley (72) was second.
District 5/6 1A crossover: Colville’s Malik Ortiz (15:48.90) won the boys race and led the Crimson Hawks to a team title at Apple Ridge XC Course. Colville (53 points) edged Lakeside (53 points) and Cascade (110).
Medical Lake’s Kaylee Demler (18:38.40) won the girls race and Lakeside took the team title.
The Eagles (54 points) outpaced Cascade (66 points) and Naches Valley (108).
District 6 2B/1B: Chewelah’s Emmitt Warren won the boys race in 16:15.50, but St. George’s (57 points) placed four in the top 10 to take the team title on Friday at Colfax Golf Club. Shawn Jones led the Dragons in third at 16:37.50. Chewelah (79 points) was second and Freeman (91 points) placed third.
Regan Thomas (18:22.78) and Josie McLaughlin (19:10.51) of St. George’s finished 1-2 in the girls race, and the Dragons (44 points) outpaced second-place Garfield-Palouse (77 points) and Valley Christian (82 points).
EDINBORO – Mason Melaragno doesn’t get a chance to shoot often as a standout defensive player for Fairview.
When he gets his chance, he makes it count.
Melaragno fired a highlight-reel shot to the top corner of the net with just 4 minutes, 50 seconds left as the Tigers rallied to beat Cathedral Prep 4-3 for the District 10 Class 2A boys soccer championship on Wednesday at General McLane High School.
“I saw it pop up to me and I had to stay over it,” said Melaragno about the shot. “I had an opportunity in the first half and I got under it a little bit. I knew this time to stay over and it and it went in.”
The impressive goal capped a thrilling D-10 championship as Fairview earned its 13th title and fourth in the past five years. Fairview (19-2-0), which beat Prep three times this season, and the Ramblers (15-6-0) both move on to the PIAA playoffs on Tuesday.
Prep started out as the more aggressive team to take an early 2-0 lead. Max Johnson, one of the top players in District 10, served a long pass into the box, which sophomore Ethan Cain finished with a perfect header.
In the 24th minute, Johnson had another set piece in Fairview territory which sophomore James Disanza finished for a 2-0 Prep lead.
More:Fort LeBoeuf girls, Fairview boys advance to the District 10 2A soccer championships
More:District 10 girls volleyball, tennis and more results for the week of Oct. 28-Nov. 2
Instead of panicking, the Tigers went to work.
Jackson Chiocco scored the first of his three goals off a pass from Joey Chiocco one minute later to get Fairview on the scoreboard.
Then Chiocco took a long pass from Danny Lindenberger, made several nice moves and beat the keeper to tie the match with five minutes left in the first half.
“We had to keep pushing and it was great to get the match back to 2-2 before halftime,” Chiocco said. “Our mentality was to keep our composure and go score some goals.”
As the intensity picked up and the chances kept coming, Fairview used impressive ball movement to take the lead as Stefan Ninkovic found Chiocco, who ripped a shot past the keeper in the 65th minute.
Prep responded right away as Brandon Lin cleaned up a loose ball right in front of the net to even the match.
The rest is history as Fairview took the lead for good on Melaragno’s goal.
“You have to be ready when you play a great team like Prep and this was one of the best D-10 championship games I’ve ever been a part of,” said Fairview coach Sonny Vidakovic. “After we went down 2-0 the boys fought back and there were a lot of ebbs and flows of that game. It was great to see a big crowd and I think they enjoyed it more than we did as coaches with how intense the game was.”
Dixon leads Cathedral Prep to D-10 girls soccer title
EDINBORO – After 65 minutes of frustration, Olivia Dixon got her chance.
The Cathedral Prep standout not only broke through the tenacious Fort LeBoeuf defense to give the Ramblers the lead but she added an insurance goal as well.
Prep hung on to beat LeBoeuf 3-1 for the District 10 Class 2A girls soccer championship at General McLane High School on Wednesday. It’s the 12th D-10 title for the program and first as Cathedral Prep as the first 11 were won as Villa Maria.
The Ramblers (17-2-1) and the Bison (14-5-0) both move on to the PIAA tournament on Tuesday.
Prep took a 1-0 lead with 9 minutes left in the first half on an unusual goal. Cecelia Cacchione launched a perfect corner kick to Makenzie Prather inside the box. Prather put an impressive header on the pass to redirect it toward the net. The header ended up going over everyone’s heads, including the keeper, to find the net.
“I was like I have to get something out of this,” Prather said about the corner kick coming her way. “I wanted to get it into a high-traffic area but I didn’t expect it to go in.”
After several close chances to tie the match, Fort LeBoeuf finally broke through as Delani Miller found leading scorer Jenna Popowski, who used her left foot to find the corner of the net for the equalizer.
As the tension rose with a tied match, Dixon, who was bottled up by the Bison defense, finally scored after a run by Jordyn DiRaimo to give Prep a 2-1 lead.
A few minutes later, Dixon decided to launch a 40-yard shot to see what would happen and she placed it perfectly in the top of the net for her second goal.
“I didn’t think I’d get the first goal because Jordyn made a great run and I’m glad I was there,” Dixon said. “The second goal I honestly thought to just shoot it and see where it goes.”
Conemaugh Township 3, Windber 0: In Davidsville, Sarah Swank netted 15 kills and eight digs, and Ava Byer added 10 kills and eight digs as the second-seeded Indians defeated the sixth-seeded Ramblers 25-17, 25-20, 25-21.
Conemaugh Township will advance to the District 5 Class 1A championship match against top-seeded Berlin Brothersvalley.
Conemaugh Township’s Laikyn Reynolds had 10 kills, Brianna Shetler had 15 digs, Averie Seibert had 20 assists, and Mary Matera had nine assists.
Windber’s Liliana Grillo had 11 points, two blocks, five kills and 17 assists. Maggie Manippo had nine points, five kills and 11 digs. Jordyn Bobak had five blocks and five kills, and Summer Campbell had seven points and three kills.
The Ramblers’ Autumn Walz had eight points, three blocks, two kills and nine digs, and Skylee Miller had nine points and 12 digs.
Berlin Brothersvalley 3, Meyersdale 0: In Berlin, the top-seeded Mountaineers won in three sets over the fifth-seeded Red Raiders 25-14, 25-12, 25-18.
Lexi Fairman had 28 assists and three aces. Elena Ritchey had eight kills, Kaylee Shaffer had seven kills, and Sydney Walker had six kills. Cayley Poorbaugh and Addy Glessner combined for 27 digs.
Berlin Brothersvalley will face Conemaugh Township in the District 5-1A championship match on Wednesday at Windber High School.
District 6 Tournament
Class 1A Quarterfinals
Bishop Carroll Catholic 3, Juniata Valley 0: In Alexandria, the fifth-seeded Huskies swept the fourth-seeded Green Hornets.
Olivia Gregg had 19 kills for Bishop Carroll Catholic. Greta Krumenacker had 34 assists, Sophie Becuet had nine digs and Sam Buynack had 11 digs.
Ferndale 3, Conemaugh Valley 1: The third-seeded Yellow Jackets defeated the sixth-seeded Blue Jays 25-23, 25-23, 13-25, 26-24.
Conemaugh Valley’s Olivia Vogel had 41 assists and 14 digs, and Kristin Szymusiak had 21 kills, 18 digs and 15 service points. Maddie McCleester had 34 digs, Sydney Heinlein had 10 digs, Makenna Campagna had 12 kills, and Jacey Crowe had 21 digs and 19 service points for the Blue Jays.
Ferndale will advance to play Northern Cambria.
Northern Cambria 3, Glendale 0: In Northern Cambria, Kiera Boring collected her 1,000th career assist, and Brenna McCracken had three aces, 11 service points, nine kills, one block and six digs as the second-seeded Colts beat the seventh-seeded Vikings 25-17, 25-17, 25-18.
Emilee DePetro had five kills and five digs, and Riley Olish had seven kills and two blocks for Northern Cambria. Kiera Boring had an ace, 25 assists and 10 digs, and Ava Lieb had 10 kills and 11 digs for the Colts.
Sophia Fry had 14 digs, nine service points and two aces, and Julie Dumm had four kills and one block.
Northern Cambria will advance to play Ferndale.
Soccer
High School Girls
District 5 Tournament
Class 1A Semifinals
Conemaugh Township 2, Windber 0: In Davidsville, the second-seeded host Indians shut out the sixth-seeded Ramblers to reach the District 5-1A title game.
Conemaugh Township will face top-seeded McConnellsburg at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Northern Bedford County High School.
Izzy Slezak scored two goals for 16-3-1 Conemaugh Township. Ashlyn Fetterman provided two assists and tied the program’s career record for assists with 88 (Alyssa Hoffman, 2010 graduate).
District 6 Tournament
Class 2A Semifinals
Cambria Heights 3, Juniata 0: In Patton, the second-seeded Highlanders shut out the sixth-seeded Indians to advance to the district title game for the first time in program history.
Cambria Heights received goals by Brooklyn Galinis, Morgan Ross and Hannah Hite. Maria Wendekier made 12 saves in the shutout.
The Highlanders advance to face Huntingdon, a 2-1 winner over Penns Valley.
Hockey
Laurel Mountain League
Thursday
Central Cambria 4, Altoona 3: In Altoona, Kayden Park, Owen Martin, Thomas Smith and Austin Semelsberger each scored goals as the Red Devils edged the Mountain Lions at Galactic Ice.
Central Cambria’s Maximus Stiles made 16 saves on 19 shots.
Owen Wasovich, Carter Panick and Cayden Helsel each scored a goal for Altoona.
McKinley senior Milton Ayala moves the ball under pressure from Jackson junior Daniel Cook in the first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
Jackson junior Luke Morgan looks for a receiver in the first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
Jackson junior Shane Atkinson moves the ball with pressure from McKinley sophomore Sebastian Daza in the first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
Jackson junior Shane Atkinson passes the ball in the first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
McKinley junior Alex Ketchum moves the ball under pressure from Jackson senior Andrew Duckworth in the first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
Jackson senior Grant Blake pressures McKinley junior Abner Castro moving the ball first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
Jackson senior Grant Blake pressures McKinley junior Abner Castro moving the ball first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
Jackson junior Shane Atkinson with the ball in the first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
Jackson junior Daniel Cook with a goal in the first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
McKinley senior Milton Ayala with pressure on Jackson senior Lewis Cook in the first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
McKinley senior Milton Ayala puts pressure on Jackson senior Lewis Cook in the first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository
McKinley freshman Darwin Tejada pressures Jackson sophomore Gradyn Brown in the first half of McKinley at Jackson division I boys soccer district semifinal. Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
The District 4 girls and boys soccer playoff brackets were released on Sunday evening.
In the girls Class A field, South Williamsport received the top seed.
Montgomery, playing in the postseason for the first time since 2015, hosts Sullivan County on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in a play-in game. Meadowbrook Christian heads to Wyalusing on Tuesday at 4 p.m. for a play-in game as well.
The Montgomery/Sullivan winner advances to face top-seeded South Williamsport on Saturday at noon at Midd-West. Muncy is the No. 2 seed in the field and will face either Wyalusing or Meadowbrook at Milton on noon on Saturday.
East Juniata and Southern Columbia will play in a quarterfinal at Midd-West at 6 p.m. and Line Mountain faces Millville at Midd-West for a 4 p.m. quarterfinal matchup.
The Class A semifinals are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 29 at a time and place to be determined.
In Class AA, two-time defending state champion Central Columbia will face eighth-seeded Loyalsock on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Danville. Warrior Run faces Bloomsburg at Danville at 8 p.m. following the Central/Loyalsock game.
Two-seeded Troy faces Williamsport at Towanda on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Hughesville, seeded third, faces sixth-seeded Montoursville, at Balls Mills on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. game.
The Class AA semifinals are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 28 at a time and place to be determined.
Milton is the only area team competing in the Class AAA playoffs as the Black Panthers face Selinsgrove at Balls Mills on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the semifinals. Shikellamy and Athens play at Loyalsock on Saturday in the other semifinal at 2 p.m.
In the boys Class A, South Williamsport faces top-seeded Northumberland Christian at Midd-West at 2 p.m. Montgomery faces Southern Columbia on Saturday at Midd-West at 4 p.m. in a quarterfinal matchup. Sullivan County plays Benton at Midd-West at. 2p.m. and Millville faces Juniata Christian on Saturday at Midd-West at 6 p.m. The Class A semifinals are scheduled on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at a time and place to be determined.
In the Class AA tournament, North Penn-Liberty travels to Warrior Run for a 6 p.m. game on Tuesday as a play-in game. The winner of that game will face Lewisburg at Milton on Saturday for a 2 p.m. game.
Loyalsock travels to Williamson for a play-in-game on Tuesday at 4 p.m. In the other play-in game, Milton hosts Lourdes for a 6 p.m. game on Tuesday.
Wellsboro and Montoursville play in a rematch of a late-season game at Loyalsock on Saturday at 6 p.m.. Central Columbia will face the winner of Williamson/Loyalsock at Balls Mills on Saturday at noon. Midd-West will face either Milton or Lourdes for a 2 p.m. game at Balls Mills on Saturday.
The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 31 at a time and place to be determined.
In Class AAA, Jersey Shore is seeded fourth and will play top-seeded Selinsgrove at Balls Mills at 6 p.m. Athens and Shikellamy play in the other semifinal at Loyalsock at 4 p.m.
The District 4 girls and boys soccer playoff brackets were released on Sunday evening.
In the girls Class A field, …
BLOSSBURG—Cowanesque Valley completed a 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass as the first half clock expired Saturday …
LOCK HAVEN – Quarterback Jackson Ostrowsky and wide receiver T’iar Young once again stood out on offense and …
In girls soccer, Hughesville’s Kylie Temple scored off ana ssist by Aly Taggart in the 50th minute to give the …
LEWISBURG — Jameson Wang completed 32 of 49 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns to lead Cornell to a 34-21 …
MONTAGUE – Trevor Trevino broke a scoreless deadlock late in the second half to lead the Wildcats to their first ever district title in a thriller over Fremont in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Division 3 district final, 1-0, Oct. 16.
Both teams were deadlocked at 0-0 at halftime and up until the 9:18 mark in the second half when Trevino broke through and got the game winner despite having three Fremont defenders around him.
Like everyone else after the game, Trevino was very excited and happy.
Trevino said about how he felt about the game-winning goal, saying, “It feels really good … It’s the first time in history ever, it’s so much energy and we all brought it today and they got me through it and we won.”
Trevino said about what through his mind when he scored, “I don’t remember, it was just crazy.
“All the fans here were really loud and I was really happy.’
During the game, the Wildcats were quite animated and excited on the sideline, something Trevino said gave them more energy.
“When we’re moving like that it beats the other team tired and we capitalize on it, move the ball around and it got us here,” Trevino said.
Before and after the goal, even though it appeared that Montague controlled much of the play with their speed, both teams had many rushes into each other’s end.
However, both teams also played a physical game.
Anytime Fremont tried to make something happen offensively, Montague was there to take away the ball. But it was a well-played game by both teams, offensively and defensively.
And after the game, the Wildcats got their first-ever chance to hold up the district award.
Also, after the game, Trevino said that the energy that came when he scored his three-goal hat trick during Monday’s district semifinal against Orchard View carried over to the district final.
“I knew it would come eventually,” Trevino said. “I knew I’d get the opportunities and capitalize on it and I did.”
About going to the regionals, Wildcats Head Coach Brandon Mahoney said, “It’s very exciting; first time for us, so it’s exciting that we cracked that egg at home at our field and win a district with this amazing home crowd.”
“There’s a banner in the gym with no district titles but now it will,” Mahoney said.
He also talked about Trevino’s goal, saying, “He’s good with feet, we talked at half and we felt that he could beat that outside defender and just told him you’re going to have to put a move on.”
“And obviously, we had other opportunities, we just didn’t finish in the first half,” Mahoney said.
“So, great work by Trevor to get us that goal and to the rest of the squad to hang on for the last six minutes and keep Fremont out of the net.”
The Wildcats begin regional play Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Clare against the winner of Kingsford and Grayling.