by Malik Vincent

It’s not typical when a star player on the high school level advances to compete at the next level. In fact, it is more often than naught when a community can tout their favorite athlete’s accomplishments, while they play at their respective college or university—especially in western Pennsylvania.

LEADING RUSHER—Cal U’s Lamont Smith, a Central Catholic grad, gets by Brandon Watters, who played at Woodland Hills. Smith rushed for 194 yards on 31 carries in the Vulcans 29-3 win over Slippery Rock. (Photos by William McBride)

In this case, examples of the hard work and dedication put forth by local athletes to get to that level were displayed when Slippery Rock and California (PA) took the field in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West division showdown at Cal’s Adamson Stadium on Saturday.

Bam, zap, wow, boom and crack. No, I am not talking about the sound effects we hear while sitting through an old Batman TV episode, nor am I referring to a current narration of “America’s most violent game” by NFL Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden. I am alluding to the sounds caused by the Pittsburgh Steelers recent graduate from “Madman” University with a Ph.D. in “anti-cross-the-middle-ism.” James Harrison makes those ear shattering noises when he meets another player head to head on the gridiron. The Steelers beat the Browns 28-10, but Harrison beat Cleveland wide receivers Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi 2-0, both leaving the game with head injuries.

Brashear 21, Oliver 20, F/2 OT

In the closest game in the City League this year, Oliver fell that short of winning their first game since beating Peabody on Oct. 1. Brashear’s Adam Lynch was sure to prevent that from happening as the Bulls are looking to make yet another post season run. He completed 8 of 20 passes for 106 yards with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Gray and ran for a 10-yard score in the second overtime. Jawanza Bryant added an 8-yard scoring run.

END ZONE CELEBRATION—Westinghouse’s Tirrell Harris (52) celebrates his TD after recovering a fumble in the end zone during a game against Peabody Oct. 16. at Cupples Stadium. The Highlanders defeated the Bulldogs 12-6 in the final meeting between the two schools.

Oliver’s Shakeem Cox and Trevon Ken­drick exchanged touchdowns, both receiving and throwing one to each other. A missed two-point conversion on the 10-yard pass that Cox threw in the second overtime was the difference in the game.

PITTSBURGH (AP)—Former Diamondbacks coach Bo Porter has interviewed for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ managerial job.

Porter was hired by Arizona last winter as third base coach after five seasons on Florida’s coaching staff. He shifted to bench coach when Kirk Gibson took over as manager at midseason, but was one of four Arizona coaches not retained after the season ended.

INTERVIEWS FOR PIRATES’ JOB—Former Diamondbacks third base coach Bo Porter speaks to Barry Enright. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)