Could this be a replay of what happened after Pittsburgh’s last Super Bowl? They finished the season at 8-8. However, they had a good excuse that season because of the many injuries. What is the excuse this year? The Steelers dropped their second game of the season to the once lowly Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in a game they should have won. After once again building a big lead—13 points—they faltered again in the second half. They don’t have much time to figure this problem out because they will face the high-powered San Diego Chargers Sunday night on NBC. UNDER PRESSURE—Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes under pressure from Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom (98) in the first half.
Oliver (3-1) came into the game against Schenley (3-1) as the only undefeated team left in the league. But Spartan senior running back Jerome Mathews was determined to make certain that would not be the case as his team got past the Bears, 6-0, at Cupples Stadium Sept. 26. The Schenley win creates a four-way tie at the top of the standings in the City League. Perry and Brashear join the two with identical marks of 3-1. KEY INTERCEPTION —Deandre Black of Schenley intercepts a pass in front of Tyrail Morgan in the Oliver end zone after the Bears had gotten down to the Schenley three-yard line. Look for someone to drop their second contest of the year whenever Perry and Oliver face off in this year’s football version of the “Battle of the North Side.” This game is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday at Cupples.
“Holla if you hear me in the East,” as the younger crowd would gesture in reference to two series sweeps in Wilkinsburg (4-0) and Homewood (3-0-1) over the weekend. In doing so, they broke a third place tie that was held by Wilkinsburg and the Hill District after week six and rank two and three, respectively. But the new “Beast of the East” Garfield (2-1-1) got their series win against the Hill to become the first organization of the 2009 season to reach 20 wins. Lincoln rebounded with the third-best mark in the league, winning their series over North Shore, 3-1. Yet, last but not least, let’s give a shout out to the Braddock organization (2-1-1) who had one of their best showings of the season in a series win over West Pittsburgh. NOWHERE TO RUN—The pocket collapses around Nigel Noel and he is sacked for a loss.
The sun’ll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be sun! Just thinkin’ about tomorrow clears away the cobwebs and the sorrows ’til there’s none! When I’m stuck in a day that’s gray and lonely I just stick out my chin and grin and say: Oh the sun’ll come out tomorrow so ya gotta hang on ’til tomorrow. Tomorrow, tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow you’re always a day away…from Annie AUBREY BRUCE
The Steelers got a dose of what they had been dishing out last week when the Chicago Bears handed them a 17-14 defeat in the final seconds of the game. Now they must bounce back against their always tough rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, who are coming off an upset win over the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers jumped off as though they were going to rout the Windy City team, after one impressive drive ended with a score and Pittsburgh going up 7-0. Once they got the ball back they marched down the field again, but a Ben Roethlisberger interception ended the drive and ended their momentum. It was all downhill from there with both teams looking fairly good between the 20s but neither taking it in for the score. BEAR HUG—Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker (39) is tackled by Chicago Bears linebacker Nick Roach (53), defensive end Alex Brown (96) and linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer in the first quarter in Chicago.
by Tim Dahlberg LAS VEGAS (AP)—The crowd at the MGM Grand arena didn’t waste any time leaving, with most getting out even before the decision was officially announced. They had come to cheer Juan Manuel Marquez, and the few who were still there when Floyd Mayweather Jr. left the ring sent him on his way with a chorus of boos. That comes with playing the role of a villain in boxing, a role Mayweather plays well. Making it rain in strip clubs one night, giving a dominating performance in the ring the next, it all comes with the territory. DOMINATING PERFORMACE—Floyd Mayweather Jr., right, throws a left at Juan Manuel Marquez, of Mexico, during their non-title welterweight boxing match in Las Vegas.
Schenley (2-1, 2-1) was met with heavy resistance by Brashear (2-1, 2-1) as they hoped to join Oliver in a tie for first place in the City League. Those aspirations quickly came to a halt as Brashear’s fast start on special teams helped to solidify a 36-6 victory and the first loss for the Spartans Friday night at Cupples Stadium. Brashear’s Bruce Patterson breaks away for a 52-yard TD during the Bulls 36-6 win over Schenley. Brashear’s Jamil Smith returned the opening kick 91yards for a touchdown. Then, Manny Reed, also a Brashear sophomore returned a 58-yard punt to the end zone on the ensuing possession.
This is the time of year where the playoff picture in each classification gains more clarity. But in the midst of that, this was a weekend in which some solid moves were made. The standings have changed dramatically as several teams have leapt over the opposition hoping to better their seeding for the post-season. Brandon Thompson of Lincoln runs past Kenny Robinson of Garfield for a 40-yard touchdown run.
The eyes of WPIAL football were focused on Reeves Field at Geneva College Friday night as No. 1 Beaver Falls played host to No. 1 Aliquippa. Beaver Falls head coach Ryan Matsook said his team was ready to go when the lights turned on. VIKINGS LOSE SHOCKER—Central Catholic’s David Myers (22) tries to make a tackle on Mt. Lebanon’s Colin Kerr during the Vikings shocking 36-21 loss at Carnegie Mellon University, Sept. 19. “We have been looking forward to this game since the season ended last year,” said Matsook, whose team lost 8-6 to Aliquippa at Heinz Field in the WPIAL championship game. “Our preseason chant was 8 to 6. We’re not thinking about nothing else.”
by Alan Robinson PITTSBURGH (AP)—Bill Stull found Henry Hynoski on a 13-yard completion on his first pass attempt against Navy and, surprise, heard loud cheers. Right then, his Pitt teammates knew it would be a much different game for a quarterback who wins games, but has trouble winning over his own fans. UPENDED—Pitt WR Jonathan Baldwin gets upended after making a catch during the Panthers 27-14 win over Navy at Heinz Field. Baldwin finished the game with 111 receiving yards.
