North Allegheny Wins Third Consecutive WPIAL Title

North Allegheny held onto halftime lead through a scoreless second half.

By Bill Allmann After an opening game at Heinz Field that saw 79 points scored, North Allegheny and Woodland Hills picked up where Clairton and Sto-Rox left off, scoring 35 in the first half of the WPIAL Class AAAA Championship. Unfortunately for Woodland Hills’ fans, though, North Allegheny’s 21-14 halftime lead stood the test of time through a scoreless second half and the Tigers won their third straight WPIAL title and fourth overall. “I was surprised there were 35 points scored in the first half,” said Woodland Hills coach George Novak. “North Allegheny has a great defense and our defense played well.” Both defenses belied their reputations early as each team scored on its first possession. On those drives, Zach Lyon made a one-handed …

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Patch Poll: Love or Hate the Steelers' Throwback Uniforms?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are again wearing their horizontally striped throwback jerseys and socks for Sunday Night Football against the Ravens. What do you think of them?

WPIAL North Showdown: North Allegheny Defeats Seneca Valley, 47-17

After ending the Raiders’ season, the defending WPIAL champion Tigers will head to Heinz Field to take on Woodland Hills.

For the second time in two years, North Allegheny has ended Seneca Valley’s WPIAL playoff run. The no. 1 Tigers defeated the no. 4 Raiders by a score of 47-17 in Friday’s semifinal game played at Martorelli Stadium at North Hills High School. Up next, the undefeated, and defending WPIAL AAAA champion, Tigers will head to Heinz Field Friday, Nov. 23 to take on Woodland Hills. The Wolverines defeated Upper St. Clair Friday at Baldwin High School. Friday was Seneca Valley’s first appearance in the WPIAL semifinals in 15 years—and the second year in a row North Allegheny ended the Raiders’ season. The Tigers defeated Seneca Valley 45-3 in the 2011 WPIAL quarterfinals. North Allegheny drew first blood Friday, scoring a touchdown within minutes …

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Patch Poll: Love or Hate the Steelers' Throwback Uniforms?

For the first time, the Pittsburgh Steelers will wear their horizontally striped throwback jerseys and socks in a game when they take on the Washington Redskins today at Heinz Field. What's your take on the 1934 replicas?

Killer bees? Depression chic? Those are some of the kinder phrases thrown about by some Pittsburgh Steelers fans who are less than thrilled that players will be donning throwback uniforms at 1 p.m. today when they meet the Washington Redskins at Heinz Field. Steelers officials unveiled the black-and-gold horizontally striped jerseys and socks earlier this year in honor of the team's 80th anniversary. The Steelers haven't worn this style of uniform since 1934, and the throwback garb is intended to reflect the team's Depression-era roots. Steelers’ players are looking forward to wearing the throwbacks today for the first time in a game, according to the team's official blog on its website. Players say they enjoy celebrating the team's …

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Pittsburgh Passion Hosts WFA Championship Weekend

Pittsburgh Passion member Tera McIntosh discusses the weekend lineup and what it means to be in the Women’s Football Alliance

Move over boys. when the ladies of the Women’s Football Alliance visit Pittsburgh this weekend, they’ll show that football isn’t just a guys’ game. On Saturday, Aug. 4, the 2012 Breaking Barriers Festival and SilverSport WFA National Championship will be held at Heinz Field. The championship is held in a different city each year, and Pittsburgh was chosen as this year’s host for the game between the Chicago Force and the San Diego Surge. The game marks the first women’s football championship held in a professional football stadium. “This is such a huge step, for women’s football to move forward and play in a professional stadium,” said Tera McIntosh. McIntosh, of Brookline, plays offensive line for Pittsburgh Passion, Pittsburgh’s women’s …

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Where to Catch Fourth of July Fireworks

Your handy Patch guide for the holiday.

On Wednesday, we celebrate America's freedom, and, of course, we want to do it with boom. Cranberry won't have its fireworks display until July 14, the last day of its upcoming three-day Community Days event, but there are plenty of places around the region to catch pyrotechnics. The parade on Main Street starts at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Festivities will follow at the Zelienople Community Park. The Phil Harmonic Orchestra will perform at 8:15 p.m. at the park. Fireworks begin just after dusk (usually around 10 p.m.). The biggest fair in the region continues through July 7. Catch its equally big fireworks display at dusk tonight. Get to the Big Butler Fairgrounds in Prospect early to catch all the other activities the fair offers, including a …

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Update: Cranberry Brothers Excel in State Punt, Pass & Kick Competition

After winning his age category, Brian Hart hopes to qualify for the national competition.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers make it to the AFC Championship game in January, at least one Raider – a Seneca Valley Raider that is - might accompany them. On Sunday, brothers Chris and Brian Hart led the pack in their age division after competing with other regional winners from across the state in the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Competition shown on the big screen at Heinz Field during halftime of the Steelers game. A sixth-grader at Haine Middle School, Chris placed fourth in the state in the 12-to-13-year-old age group. His brother Brian, a fourth-grade student Rowan Elementary, won in the 8-to-9-year-old division and is awaiting word to find out if he qualifies for a trip to the AFC game and the chance to participate in the national Punt, Pass…

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Time to Shine for Seneca Valley Coach, Students at Upcoming Steelers Game

Coach Don Holl will be honored at the Dec. 4 Steelers game. Two Seneca Valley brothers also will participate in the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the rival Cincinnati Bengals Dec. 4 at Heinz Field there will be plenty of Terrible Towels waving in the stands, but in between all the black and gold madness there also will be a few loyal Raiders. And no, we’re not talking about the Oakland Raiders. Don Holl, head coach of the Seneca Valley Raiders football team, will be honored at the two-minute warning during the game’s first half as the Steelers high school coach of the week for his team’s 30-13 victory over the Penn Hills Indians Nov. 4 in the first round WPIAL playoffs. Coincidentally, brothers Chris Hart, a sixth-grader at Haine Middle School, and Brian Hart, a fourth-grade student at Rowan Elementary, will be at the same game to take part in …

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Rowan Elementary Students Punt, Pass and Kick in Local NFL Competition

Two students may qualify for the state championships at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

Students from Seneca Valley’s elementary schools participated Oct. 8 in the NFL's Punt, Pass & Kick competition at Blueberry Hill Park in Franklin Park. The contest included students from Western Pennsylvania and Ohio. To qualify for the event, students won a PPK contest at their school. Each student from the Rowan Elementary School placed in the top four spots for their age group at the event, said Mike Manipole, Rowan’s physical education teacher. Rowan’s teams consistently have had top scores over the last decade, Manipole said. After they both took home the top prize in their respective age groups, Chris and Brian Hart now are awaiting word from the NFL to see if they qualify to move on to the state championships, which will be held …

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