JOHNSTOWN —
Once the initial pregame hoopla subsides, Johnstown (Ampipe) and Westmont Hilltop (Walnut Heights) must play a LHAC football game on Friday night at Trojan Stadium.
Until then, there’s plenty to talk about as showtime nears.
The school districts agreed to act upon a great idea by holding an “All the Right Moves” reunion as the 30th anniversary of the Tom Cruise movie filmed in Johnstown in 1983 nears. (A feature story on the event appears on Page A1).
The spirit of camaraderie and cooperation between Johnstown and Westmont will be evident as the 1-1 Trojans (Bulldogs) host the 0-2 Hilltoppers (Knights).
Games often have special themes. Sometimes a milestone is celebrated. Of course, there are the annual homecoming and senior night games.
But the organizational skills and creativity necessary to pull off an event such as this one are many. All of those involved deserve to be commended.
Quite a few interesting concepts have been put into motion for Friday’s contest. The community and businesses in the region stepped up with financial contributions and support.
Johnstown will wear replica black-and-gold Ampipe uniforms while Westmont will sport the red-and-white Walnut Heights gear. The bands, cheerleaders and student bodies of each school will do their part to recreate the big screen magic recorded on an April 1983 night at Point Stadium.
Looking back will be a significant theme for those watching the game. On the field, the current Trojans (Bulldogs) and Hilltoppers (Knights) will get down to business soon after the initial hoopla fades.
There’s also a nod to the future. At least two scholarships will be presented in conjunction with the game according to organizers.
Perhaps we’ll see a Bulldog (Ampipe’s mascot) roaming the home sideline as one tough-looking canine did at the Point Stadium nearly 30 years ago.
Or, maybe Johnstown coach Tony Penna Jr. and his defensive coordinator Neil Cobaugh will implement a goal-line defense game plan that will have their players shouting the memorable battle cry, “6-2 stack monster, 6-2 stack monster. Ready, break!”
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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20-something: Bishop McCort is 20-0 against Somerset in a series that dates to 1983, with the Crushers outscoring the Golden Eagles 716-185 in that span.
Both teams are 2-0 entering Friday’s game at Somerset.
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Rampage: Richland has been formidable on both sides of the ball through two victories.
The Rams beat Bishop Guilfoyle 35-12 in Week 2 after winning 38-20 at Cambria Heights in the opener.
Richland visits winless Bedford this week. The Bisons have been outscored 74-7 with losses to undefeated Penn Cambria (32-7) and Bishop Guilfoyle (42-0).
Rams junior receiver Kyle Flick has an area-best 277 yards on 16 receptions. Senior Luke Shertzer has seven receptions for 118 yards.
Junior quarterbacks Matt Shaffer (24 of 31, 314 yards) and Nico Pecora (9-13, 179) have provided a two-prong passing threat.
Junior Tanner Solarczyk adds 194 rushing yards to the mix.
Last week the defense limited Bishop Guilfoyle to nine yards and one first down in the opening quarter and the Marauders were scoreless in the first half.
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Shine a little light: Now that Blacklick Valley plays under the lights in Nanty Glo, the Vikings are making the most of the power surge.
Bill Zamboni’s 2-0 team will host Purchase Line at McMullen Memorial Field on Friday.
The game originally was going to be played at Point Stadium prior to the installation of Blacklick’s lights.
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Magic touch: Ligonier Valley senior back Ryan Torrance collected four touchdowns on four consecutive possessions in last week’s 63-0 Heritage Conference victory over Purchase Line.
Torrance, who ran for 1,221 yards as a junior, has 228 yards on 21 carries through two weeks. He has six touchdowns and 36 points to rank second in the area in scoring.
Mike Mastovich is a sports writer for The Tribune-Democrat.
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