Football News

The North Allegheny Tigers (7-0) travel to Westmoreland County to take on the Hempfield Spartans (1-6) tonight. While the Tigers are tied for the second longest winning streak in the WPIAL, the Spartans have lost six straight after posting an opening day victory over neighborhood rival Greensburg Salem, 27-24. Last week, the Spartans were shutout by the Seneca Valley Raiders, 18-0.

Beset by injuries, Hempfield has averaged only 11 points per game on offense. Junior quarterback Blake Remaley has been a bright spot for the Spartans, passing for nearly 1,000 yards and six touchdowns with a sore shoulder. Since reaching the playoffs in 2016 and losing to North Allegheny in the WPIAL quarterfinals, 42-7, Hempfield has posted a record of just 2-15 over the last two seasons. The Spartans have not won a playoff game since 1997 and have already been eliminated from postseason contention this season.

After reaching the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals the last two season, North Allegheny is hoping to use their 7-0 start to the season as a springboard toward a title. Last week, the Tigers ran roughshod over the Butler Golden Tornado on homecoming, 55-3. On a night filled with big plays, the Tigers racked up 400 yards of offense on just 30 players. The NA defense forced three turnovers and scored a touchdown as well courtesy of a 15-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Dante Caputo. Along with Caputo, the linebacker corps has been a strength for the NA defense, including senior Ethan Augustin. Watch the video below for a player profile on Augustin.

The last time these teams faced each other was in week eight of last season as North Allegheny rolled to a 63-28 victory at Newman Stadium. Then-quarterback Luke Trueman posted 242 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.

Kickoff for tonight’s game is set for 7:00 p.m. at Hempfield. The game will be broadcast live via the internet on the North Allegheny Sports Network with the pregame show getting underway at 6:40 p.m. To listen to tonight’s game, click here.