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Sunday November 27, 2022 | 5:20 p.m
Christopher Horner | Tribune review
Franklin Regional’s Jake Kimmich moves the ball past Plum’s Lucas Pittman September 27 at Plum High School.
From the outside, Jake Kimmich’s college decision seemed easy. Maybe even expected.
The Franklin Regional senior footballer will follow in his brothers’ footsteps by playing at Grove City, a Division III program of the Presidents Athletic Conference, keeping a family tradition intact for another four years.
Matt Kimmich is a senior defender this season while Luke Kimmich is a second midfielder.
The attraction of playing with at least one of his brothers – Matt is considering a fifth year – played a key role in Jake’s decision, but he found the Wolverines’ program appealing.
“I’m really looking forward to playing at the Grove and can’t wait to get there this summer,” said Jake Kimmich. “I would love for Matt to stay another year. It would be really cool to play with the two brothers together.
“I’ve gone to other ID camps and looked at other schools, but seeing Grove in person so many times and seeing what their vibe was like made the choice really easy for me. The academic and spiritual side of the school were important factors in my decision.”
Kimmich has been a key defenseman for the Panthers this season. He helped them produce eight shutouts and share another section title with Plum, scoring two goals along the way.
Unlike Luke Kimmich, Jake only plans to play one sport in Grove City. Luke doubles as a golfer. Both played golf, soccer and basketball at Franklin Regional.
air out
WPIAL Class 3A Football Champion Belle Vernon (10-2) will face District 6 Champion Central Martinsburg (12-2) in Friday’s PIAA Semifinals.
The Dragons will present quite a challenge in passing like the Leopards haven’t seen all season. They love to hurl everything about the field, led by senior quarterback Jeff Hoenstine.
Hoenstine, who is the state’s leading passer for the second straight year, has completed a remarkable 278 of 391 passes for 3,768 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Over the past two seasons, he’s 34-3 as a starter and has 7,389 yards and 107 touchdowns.
His 57 TD passes last season set a state record.
Six receivers have 20 or more catches, including his regular Eli Lingenfelter, who has 95 receptions for 1,610 yards and 27 TDs.
All State Soccer
Six Westmoreland soccer players have made the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association’s all-state rosters.
Kiski Area’s Anders Bordoy, Greensburg Central Catholic’s Carlo Denis and Franklin Regional’s Colton Hudson were local boy selections, while Latrobe’s Elle Bulava, Greensburg Central Catholic’s Sara Felder and Latrobe’s Sofia DeCerb made up the girls’ list.
Bordoy, Denis and Hudson were also Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association All-State picks.
Quips approach
Jeannette might have company at the top of the all-time WPIAL soccer winners list.
The Jayhawks have 770 wins, more than any program in District 7. But Aliquippa has 769 after winning the Class 4A championship.
The Quips (12-0) can level the Jayhawks with a win in Friday’s PIAA semifinals, and a state title would give them first place.
Hempfield for President
Washington & Jefferson really has their eye on Hempfield.
The President’s football team tries to cast a net over Spartans prospects.
W&J has reached out to several Hempfield players and offered them spots on the team for next season.
Players include: Eli Binakonsky (LB), Gino Caesar (RB), Jackson Barton (OL/DL), Ian Tuffs (WR/DB) and Anthony Vallano (TE/LB).
Also among the presidents are Norwin’s lineman AJ Clemens, linebackers Anthony Petrulo and Noah Vogel (TE/DE), and Greensburg Salem’s Cody Rubrecht (athlete).
Sisson goes DI?
Penn-Trafford senior football goalkeeper Cooper Sisson could be on his way to a Division I playing career.
Sisson has interests from a few schools including Syracuse, Missouri State and West Virginia.
Last month he paid an official visit to WVU.
Sisson said the schools would rate him during an off-season presentation in Florida.
goal oriented
Several county hockey teams are among the highest scoring units in the PIHL.
Norwin is second in Class A with 58 goals while Greensburg Salem is third with 56 goals.
In Class 2A, Latrobe (35) and Hempfield (31) are fourth and fifth.
Hempfield leads the class with 14 goals in the third period.
Norwin and Greensburg Salem each scored 22 times in the second period.
recruitment
Reegan Brown, Sr. of Mt. Pleasant, signed to continue her swimming career with Saint Francis, Pa.
Brown won a WPIAL team title with the Vikings last season while helping the 400-yard freestyle relay to PIAA gold.
Penn Trafford footballer Owen Demeri will join his brother Ian in Grove City.
Both are running backs.
Norwin Senior Bella Brozeski signed a letter of intent to compete in athletics with IUP. Her sisters also compete in sports at the collegiate level: Emily in Duquesne and Aleksandra in Slippery Rock.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a contributor to the Tribune-Review. You can contact Bill via email at [email protected] or via Twitter .
tags: Franklin RegionalGreensburg Salem, Hempfield, Latrobe, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin