Sep 19, 2023 3 min read

Boys soccer

• McGuffey handed Belle Vernon its first section loss this season, 2-1, Tuesday night at McGuffey in Class 2A Section 3.

The Highlanders (5-2, 7-3) opened the scoring midway through the first half of a goal by Dylan Stewart that was assisted by Eddie Goodman. Stewart extended McGuffey’s advantage to 2-0 with 25 minutes remaining. Logan Crowe assisted on Stewart’s brace.

Tyler Kovatch cut the deficit to one with an unassisted tally five minutes later.

McGuffey goalkeeper Sam Stout made nine saves.

The Leopards are 6-1 in section and 7-2 overall.

• Bethel Park’s Henry Gaston scored two goals, including the game-winning tally on a penalty kick, in the Black Hawks’ 2-1 victory over Ringgold in Class 3 Section 3 play at Joe Montana Stadium.

Gaston put the visitors ahead halfway through the first half and Bethel Park had a 1-0 lead at halftime.

The Rams’ Owen Haywood scored the tying goal in the 29th minute of the second half off a corner kick from Sam Alvarez.

Gaton’s game-winner came with seven minutes remaining. He was awarded the penalty kick after a call was made against Ringgold in the penalty box.

The Rams are 5-2 in section and 7-2 overall.

• Peters Township won its third straight by rolling to a 6-0 win at Hempfield in Class 4A Section 6.

Blake Gablehart, Brett Martin, Kevin Kelly, Dominic Pusateri, Luke Evans, and Brady Rose each scored one goal for the Indians (5-2, 6-2).

• Cooper Cincinnati scored the only goal of the match, off an assist by Andy Palm, and Trinity won at Laurel Highlands 1-0 in Class 3A Section 3.

The goal came with 25 minutes remaining in the first half and the Hillers (4-2, 4-2), with Ryan Torboli in goal, were able to protect the slim advantage.

• Wyatt Pash scored two goals and Beth-Center picked up a road victory, 5-2 over Ligonier Valley, in Class A Section 2.

Parker Amos, Ryder Roule and Nekoda Bundy also scored for the Bulldogs, who are 2-3 in section and moved above the .500 mark overall at 5-4. Ligonier Valley is 0-5, 2-5.

• California scored three second-half goals but Greensburg Central Catholic held on for a 4-3 double-overtime win in Class A Section 2.

California (1-4, 3-6) trailed 2-0 at halftime. The Trojans received goals from Caleb Amoroso, Kaden Weston and Kris Weston.

• Yough was a 3-1 winner over Washington in a Class 2A Section 3 match. The goal for the Prexies (3-4, 3-7) was scored by Darius Simmons. Yough is 5-2 in section.

• Mount Pleasant was a 5-0 winner over visiting Waynesburg in Class 2A Section 3. The loss dropped the Raiders to 1-6 in section.

In college football

Deion Sanders stood up for Henry Blackburn on Tuesday after the Colorado State safety received death threats for a late hit that sent Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter to the hospital with a lacerated liver.

“That’s absurd for people to be threatened,” the Colorado coach said. “I don’t mind getting death threats. I get them every week. But a kid, it’s not good. … He does not deserve a death threat over a game. At the end of the day, this is a game.”

Blackburn delivered a late blow to Hunter’s midsection on an incomplete pass in the first quarter last weekend. The Rams’ senior drew a flag for unnecessary roughness.

Sanders said he has forgiven Blackburn and so has Hunter, who doesn’t have a definitive timeline for a return. Sanders said there is no place for the threats directed toward Blackburn and his family.