An Online Publication of the AGHS Gallatin Gazette
Albert Gallatin High School
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
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"Home of the Colonials"
Albert Gallatin Falls to Visiting Greensburg Salem
by Hannah Umble editor-in-chief/sports section editor -- 10/17/17
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Although our Colonials attempted a comeback, it proved to not be enough in their 31-12 loss to Greensburg Salem. Despite the loss, the team looked strong and sharp, only falling short on a few key plays and catches that would have secured the game for our Colonials. At a point in the fourth quarter, the Colonials were only trailing 17-12 and the game seemed to be ours. Our offensive line found themselves on the 50-yard line with eight minutes to go and a first down to make the comeback happen. Unfortunately, Domonick Lewellen was ultimately sacked twice, ending the rally attempt and ultimately the Colonial’s scoring, with the final score ending up 31-12 after two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
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Although the final score depicts a loss, it does not represent the quality of game that was played. Though many in the crowd hoped to see a homecoming win, many assumed the game would end in the same fashion as the Colonials and Golden Lions last contest where the Lions easily defeated the Colonials 31-8. However, the boys found a way to make a game out of what many assumed to be an automatic loss in the record books. Picking up 24 yards, Tre Kirby put the Colonials at the 43 yard line. Along with the stellar performance by Kirby, fellow senior Nate Bricker intercepted a Greensburg Salem deep throw in a game where he picked up seven receptions for 171 yards. Lewellen connected with Bricker for a 98 yard touchdown that brought a spark back to the game. Bricker had one touchdown in the game. Javon Davis made the score 14-12 after a one yard run in the second. The score would remain 14-12 at the half and would stay that way until a 24 yard field goal by Greensburg Salem’s kicker gave the Golden Lions an edge that would carry them until the end of the game.
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However, where there is loss, there is also victory. Despite our football team’s setback to Greensburg Salem on Friday night, Jasmine Moser was victorious. On the fifty yard line during halftime, Jasmine was crowned our 2017 Homecoming Queen after wowing the senior voters with her assortment of brownies and candy. A well-deserved victory, Jasmine will have the crown and title the remainder of the 2017-2018 school year. Congratulations!
Nate Bricker scoring after 98 yard touchdown pass from Dom Lewellen
AGHS Soccer
by Hannah Umble -- Editor In Chief|Sports Section Editor
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It was a chilly Wednesday night, but the boys and girls soccer teams were burning up the soccer field. The girls went first, beating McKeesport 5-3; the boys were next, taking down McKeesport as well with a 6-3 non-section victory. The wins wrapped up the season for both teams and, for eight seniors, ended their high school soccer careers.
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To start off the night, the girls downed McKeesport by a score of 5-3. The Colonials scored the first three goals of the game and never looked back. The lead wouldn’t prove to be sufficient, though, when McKeesport answered back with three goals of their own, tying the game up at the half. It wasn’t until the final period that the girls would score their last two girls while shutting down McKeesport’s offense. Serena Chapman had many saves at goal, putting forth any and all effort required to stop McKeesport’s potent offense. However, though, the game was definitely a team effort. Although it was senior night, the underclassmen stepped up in a big way. Rachel Dodson and Kaitlyn Kuklar contributed two goals to the Colonials scoring onslaught. Juniors Alaina Shaffer and Jessica Victor both scored for the Colonials as well, with Alaina netting two and Jessica one.When time ran out, the football team, who operated the student section for the game, stormed the field, huddling up with the girls after a hard-fought victory.
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The boys were up next, winning the game easily with a score of 6-3. Adam Simon scored his eight goal of the season, ending the game and his senior season on the team with the final goal of the night. Nathan Sutton had two, giving him his team-high eleventh goal. Aaron Fetzner scored a goal in the first half; the goal put him and Adam on an even playing field with eight goals each for the season. Christian Hicks only allowed two goals on over a dozen attempts, while Hunter Sexton allowed one goal after coming on in relief for Hicks. The season ending win gave the boys three wins for the season.
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Senior night took place between the two games, happening after the girls’ victory over McKeesport and before the eventual season-ending win by the boys. The girls honored Cassidie Miles and Madi Spiker, both being four year varsity members of the soccer team and co-captains. The boys honored Jordan Conchilla, Brock Nicklow, Luke Tarcy, Adam Simon, Joshua Franczyk, and Aidan Van Houten, six seniors who contributed greatly to the team’s 3-11-1 season.
STUDENT ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
After a 5-3 victory over visiting McKeesport, the Lady Colonials finished their season with a win. After the game, the seniors on both the boys and girls soccer team were recognized. This week, we highlighted Cassidie Miles, a senior member of the Albert Gallatin soccer team.
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First of all, congratulations on the win. How did it feel to win your last high school game?
It was great. I cried.
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Would you call this game your favorite soccer memory?
It’s definitely up there.
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How would you describe your four years of varsity soccer?
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
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Do you prefer playing offense or defense?
I like offense better. Striker is my favorite position to play.
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Which stadium is your favorite to play at?
AG Colonials Stadium.
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When did you start playing soccer?
When I was four years old.
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If you could go back and change one thing about this season, what would it be?
We would’ve won and scored more.
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Do you have any words of advice to underclassmen looking to play soccer next year?
It’s a lot of work but it’s a lot of fun, too. You’ll meet some of your best friends.
Basketball Ends Playoff Drought
The last time the Colonials reached the playoffs was 2007, where the then 7-2 Colonials lost in the first round to Mount Lebanon. For the next eleven years, the basketball team would struggle to emulate the success of the post-season bound teams before them. However, the 2017-2018 Colonials have taken a turn for the better.
Following a highly successful regular season, Coach Fleenor and his team looks to secure a victory in their first playoff game against Moon on Tuesday at Baldwin High School. The Colonials, who are 12-10 on the season, take on the Tigers, who ended their regular season with a record of 17-5. Tipoff is expected to take place at 8 pm.
Albert Gallatin is the number 10 seed in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. In order to understand how the boys have entered into playoff contention for the first time in eleven years, we need to take a look at some key elements throughout the season that have turned the program into a playoff bound team.
The season started promising when the boys won the Ligonier Valley Holiday Tournament. The unexpected victors showed that they were no longer the team to be taking lightly. Defeating teams such as West Mifflin, South Park, Thomas Jefferson, and cross-town rival Uniontown early on in the season showed that this season was going to be one not seen in the past eleven years. The buzz around the basketball team was evident and justified; the commanding wins over teams who had came out victorious at most meetings in the past proved that the Colonials were ready to take charge in section play.
One of the newcomers for the Colonials has made his mark on the court after only just one regular season. Nate English, a freshman, has been one of the sparks to propel this team to a twelve win season. A true point guard, the freshman plays like an experienced senior. A talented shooter and ball handler, the Colonials will likely look to him to handle guard duties throughout the playoffs.
Nate Bricker, Matt Rankin, Colby Uphold, Zach Knox, Payton Connors, Joey Harper, Justin Filippone, Joey English, and Ryan Coddington make up the strong senior class that has seen both the highs and lows of the present season and ones of the past. Bricker and Rankin provide experience, a strong presence, and height under the hoop for the Colonials. Uphold and Knox, a guard and forward, respectively, provide talent beyond the arc for the Colonials. Combining in with the senior class is junior James Peggues, who has let his presence be known in the final half of the season. A promising guard for the Colonials, Peggues has demonstrated his ability to shoot beyond the arc as well, garnering four threes at the final home game against Laurel Highlands.
Regardless of the outcome of the game, the boys have shifted the feelings toward Albert Gallatin basketball. After an eleven year drought, the promising display the boys have put on for fans of Colonial basketball has shown that the Colonials are back to what they used to be and have the chance to be serious contenders once again. With promising underclassmen talent, success is sure to come for the Colonials for years to come.