Sep 8, 2006 By Jim Kriek For The 3 min read

You know how it is with opponents, one of them always trying to get even with the other, and in that respect you can now say that Connellsville really did “get even” with Uniontown. The county’s oldest football rivalry was contested again, for the 75th time, last Friday night to get the scholastic football season under way, and Connellsville really did “get even.”

The Falcons won the opener, 24-0, for one of a baker’s dozen shutouts around the WPIAL the first weekend.

That evened their all-time series at 33 wins apiece, plus nine ties, but that latter figure will stay the same unless the rules are changed. There was a time when ties stood as they were at the end of the game, but today the teams must play overtime sessions until somebody wins.

For many years, Connellsville dominated the historic series, Uniontown rebounded, and in the sixties ran off a long winning skein of their own to take over the lead, then Connellsville came on to win eight of the last nine and 11 of the past 13, and now things are all even.

This was also the 17th shutout win for Connellsville, while Uniontown has 12 collars.

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In other football notes involving teams in the Herald-Standard coverage area:

-Beth-Center was the offensive leader with its 55-13 win over Carmichaels. Only two teams outscored the Bulldogs, Hopewell collaring Pittsburgh Carrick 58-0 (with a 30-point second period and 51-0 at the half), and Greensburg Central Catholic 57-0 over East Allegheny.

-There were 13 shutouts the first weekend, six involving area teams. Connellsville was the lone winner, over Uniontown. Other zeroes were by Thomas Jefferson over Belle Vernon 48-0, Riverview over California, 13-0, Clairton over Jefferson-Morgan 28-0, Bentworth over Mapletown 14-0, and Turkeyfoot losing to North Star, 28-0.

-Two WPIAL teams got their season and game inaugurated with the return of the opening kickoff. Clairton’s Leroy George ran the opener back 70 yards against Jefferson-Morgan, and Craig Bunney, Ambridge, raced 88 yards. against Aliquippa. The Quips came back and won, 32-14.

-Another long run was by Dennis Craighead, Wilkinsburg, who blocked a Frazier field goal try, recovered the ball, and ran 98 yards. to score.

-It was also a big weekend for safeties, with five being recorded.

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Some top efforts turned in by local players included:

-Pass-Run TD – 70 yards, Mick Betler to Andrew Jackson, Geibel vs. Avella.

-Punt Return TD – 48 yards, Aaron Meade, Connellsville, vs. Uniontown; 47 yards, Chris Stay, Beth-Center, vs. Carmichaels.

-Field Goal – 27 yards, Sam Patton, Waynesburg, with 6:04 left in the game, which turned out to be the final edge in a 23-20 win over Washington.

-Yards Rushing – Scott Jones, Connellsville, 21-171, TD run of 43 yards, vs. Uniontown; Erik Frund, Southmoreland, 21-120, vs. Avonworth; Ryan Butka, Beth-Center, 5-119, vs. Washington, including TD runs of 49 and 40 yards.

-Yards Passing – Mike Dvorchak, Uniontown, 10-23-0, 132 yards, vs. Connellsville; Joby Lapkowicz, Carmichaels, 4-7-0, 122 yards, 1 TD, vs. Beth-Center; Dan Pegg, Laurel Highlands, 8-24-2, 120 yards, 1 TD, vs. Peters Twp.