Paul Schofield stories, Page 60

There were some wrestling fans who worried there wouldn’t be many exciting matches at the 69th annual Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association tournament this year. But there is no need to worry. Day 2 of the tournament will bring some intriguing matchups, especially in the 120-pound semifinals Saturday at Kiski Area....

The Derry school board voted 8-0 on Thursday to hire Mike Arone as its new football coach. He replaces Vince Skillings, who coached the Trojans the past two seasons. Arone, an associate principal at the high school, worked as an assistant coach at Homer-Center from 1998-2020. He is a 1994...

Latrobe junior Nate Roth has been waiting for this day since the season began. It didn’t matter who his opponent was going to be. He just wanted to compete after recovering from a second surgery on his right shoulder. Beating reigning PIAA Class AAA 132-pound champion and rival Briar Priest...

Since the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association wrestling tournament began in 1954, only 57 wrestlers have won three titles. Eleven of those were four-time champions. Hempfield senior Briar Priest has a chance join that list this weekend at Kiski Area, the host school of the 69th annual tournament. Priest was a...

TribHSSN Wrestling Rankings as of Jan. 4 Team Class AAA 1. Waynesburg (0-0) 2. Latrobe (2-0) 3. Connellsville (7-0) 4. West Allegheny (6-1) 5. Canon-McMillan (2-0) 6. Kiski Area (6-1) 7. Franklin Regional (2-0) 8. Hempfield (2-0) 9. Penn-Trafford (1-0) 10. Butler (2-0) Others to watch: Bethel Park (4-2), Trinity...

TribHSSN Live Wrestling Rankings as of Jan. 4 Individuals Class AAA 106: 1. Luke Willochell (Latrobe) 13-3; 2. Nico Fanella (Indiana) 6-0; 3. Ty Kapusta (Franklin Regional) 10-4; 4. Rylen Campbell (Plum) 11-1; 5. Ejiro Montoya (Mt. Lebanon) 11-4. 113: Ty Chappell (Seneca Valley) 15-3; 2. Thomas Allison (Trinity) 11-5;...

It says how tough the 55th annual Powerade Wrestling Tournament was this season when only 26 wrestlers from the WPIAL earned medals and only six reached the finals. The competition was extremely difficult. “All these wrestlers are amazing,” Franklin Regional coach Matt Lebe said. “This was the toughest tournament we’ve...

Penn-Trafford senior Troy Hohman hadn’t won a big wrestling tournament before Thursday. But he did something that can elevate his career. Hohman escaped with 11 seconds left to defeat Malvern Prep sophomore Jack Consiglio, 4-3, in the 120-pound final at the prestigious 55th Powerade Wrestling Tournament to claim the biggest...

As Mac Stout walked off the mat after recording a fall at the 55th Powerade Wrestling tournament, he was greeted by his brothers, Luke and Kellen. After he took a few more steps, he fist-bumped Mt. Pleasant senior Dayton Pitzer. Stout and Pitzer, along with Hempfield’s Briar Priest, Latrobe’s Jack...

When Norwin wrestling coach Kyle Martin and assistant Jarod King started the Knights Regional Training Center this summer, they had a five-year plan. The center, for wrestlers in 250-mile radius, is to help prepare wrestlers for the world and Olympic teams in freestyle and Greco Roman. Overwhelming success has put...

High school wrestling fans are in for a holiday treat. The 55th annual Powerade Wresting Tournament on Wednesday and Thursday is loaded with talent. It could be a preview of the NCAA Tournament in a few seasons. When the tournament began 55 years ago, it featured some of the top...

Devin Whitlock Belle Vernon, QB/DB, sr. This dynamic senior helped lead Belle Vernon to the WPIAL Class 4A championship game. He rushed for 1,189 yards and scored 27 touchdowns. He also completed 64 of 96 passes for 1,023 yards and nine touchdowns. Quinton Martin Belle Vernon, WR/DB, so. This super...

Before the start of the WPIAL playoffs, Penn-Trafford equipment manager Frank Wall made a casual comment about Cade Yacamelli. “He’s going to carry us to the title,” Wall said. Wall’s prediction was spot on thanks to the senior running back/safety. He was not the only reason the Warriors won their...

So, what have we learned about wrestling in the WPIAL two weeks into the season? Well, a lot. Latrobe and Connellsville look to be serious contenders in Class AAA and could challenge No. 1 Waynesburg. Latrobe, ranked No. 2, won the Hickory Tournament on Dec. 11 and placed fourth overall...

Thomas Paulone Jr. knows the rich tradition of the Jeannette football program. He played for the Jayhawks, graduating in 2010, and his grandfather, the late Aldo Paulone, hired the late Joe Mucci away from Greensburg Central Catholic in 1968. Paulone, 29, continues the tradition of former Jeannette players to coach...

The Latrobe wrestling team could have easily had a letdown Monday in a nonsection match against Derry after a solid performance at the King of the Mountain tournament over the weekend. The Wildcats finished fourth at Central Mountain and left feeling good about themselves. But the leadership on the team...

After an extended and rewarding football season for Joe Enick, the junior probably could have taken a few weeks off before he started the wrestling season. But Enick didn’t want to let his teammates down in a key WPIAL Class 3A Section 1B battle against Plum on Dec. 15. They...

Here’s a message to the wrestling teams in the WPIAL: Don’t sleep on Hempfield. Despite graduating three PIAA placewinners, the Spartans return a strong nucleus that will surprise teams. Hempfield opened WPIAL Class 3A Section 2B action Wednesday by rolling over rival Greensburg Salem, 50-10, and retained the Crosstown Cup...

It’s been quite a few days for Cade Yacamelli. First he and his Penn-Trafford teammates celebrating their first PIAA football title, then came the welcome Saturday by the community, all the congratulations they received from their classmates and teachers Monday and Tuesday and being the guest of honor along with...

HERSHEY — It’s unsure how much sleep the Penn-Trafford football team got Friday night after its stunning 17-14 overtime win against Imhotep Charter. But there is a good chance it was very little. “I’m staying up all night. I don’t care,” senior running back Cade Yacamelli said. “I’m going to...

HERSHEY – Central Valley captured its second consecutive PIAA Class 3A title by defeating Wyomissing, 7-0, in a defensive struggle Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium. Landon Alexander scored on a 28-yard run on third-and-12 with 9:54 left to snap the scoreless tie. Alexander rushed for 231 yards on 35 carries and...

HERSHEY — It might not equal the Miracle on Ice, but Penn-Trafford’s 17-14 stunner against Imhotep Charter will hold a prominent place in Westmoreland County sports history. Nathan Schlessinger kicked a 24-yard field goal in overtime, and defensive end Conlan Greene’s sack on fourth down lifted Penn-Trafford to a thrilling...

No matter what happens Friday, the Penn-Trafford football team has made history. In the school’s 50th season, the team won its first WPIAL title, played in and won its first PIAA playoff game and now is headed to its first PIAA championship game. A victory against Imhotep Charter (11-1) in...

Penn-Trafford School District is planning a send-off parade for the football team Friday morning. The Warriors are playing in their first PIAA Class 5A championship game at 7 p.m. Friday against Imhotep Charter at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey. It is called “Off to Hershey the Warrior Way.” The students and...

The last team other than Burrell to win a WPIAL Class 2A team title was Mt. Pleasant in 2006. But could this be the year that someone else wins that title? This is not your typical Burrell team this season. The Bucs return only five starters and had three other...