Live blog from tonight's Post-Gazette game of the week - Ringgold at Belle Vernon. Follow along and look to the right for updates, notes and photos from other games, courtesy of @PGVarsityXtra twitter account. If you have a score update or note, tweet with #WPIAL and tag @PGVarsityXtra
FINAL: BELLE VERNON 13, RINGGOLD 12
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9:45 Ringgold goes three and out.
BELLE VERNON 13, RINGGOLD 12
After blocked punt, on third down, QB Mike Fine finds end zone. Two point run no good.
9:38 big break for Belle Vernon. Derek Verkleeren blocks punt. Noah Bukowski recovers. BV at Ringgold 8.
RINGGOLD 12, BELLE VERNON 7
And a turnover turns this game. Mike Fine's pass is intercepted by Ringgold's David Carpenter at his 45 and he returns it all the way to the Belle Vernon 5. George Martin scores TD on next play with a run. two point pass no good.
9:15 Ringgold goes three and out. Belle Vernon takes over at 41.
9:11 Ringgold actually has looked better in this game offensively. But Rams still trail. 7-6. They take over at own 31, late in the third.
9:04 Pass intercepted by Jake Powell. BV takes over at 7.
8:58 Second half underway. Belle Vernon goes three and out on first possession.
BIG-GAME HUNTING:
How about South Fayette? On way to 38th consecutive win, which would tie for third-longest in WPIAL history. Leading Steel Valley 21-0.
Clairton trailing Jeannette, 19-18.
Surprising a little. Allegheny Conference Freeport leads Highlands, 14-0. Highlands undefeated.
Bethel Park showing it is indeed good, leading Mt. Lebanon, 20-7.
Hampton undefeated, but players out with injuries and sickness, including leading rusher Matt Rech. Franklin Regional leads Hampton 14-0.
Seneca Valley showing something tonight. Hard to stop Pine-Richland offense, but Seneca Valley trails Pine-Richland, 28-21.
Mars leading Gateway, 28-7. Offensive problems continue for Gateway.
HALFTIME: BELLE VERNON 7, RINGGOLD 6
Halftime stats: Neither team overwhelming offensively. Belle Vernon only 88 yards offensively. Luke Durigon 9 yards rushing. Mike Fine 50 on 7 carries. Fine 2 of 7 for 29 yards.
Both teams have some speed on defense and fly to the ball well. Ringgold has 160 yards offense. 125 on the ground. Maybe Chacar Berry will get the ball a little more in the second half. Has 58 yards on nine carries.
Never mind offense. How about South Fayette defense. Outgained Steel Valley 214 to minus 3 so far. Wow. SF leads 14-0
8:36 BV takes over at own 28 with 3:01 left in half.
8:18 Place is packed tonight.
8:12 Belle Vernon got to the 21, but went backwards and punted.
BELLE VERNON 7, RINGGOLD 6
Chacar Berry 1-yard TD run. Run for two points by Small is stopped.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: BELLE VERNON 7, RINGGOLD 0
Big run by George Martin set up Ringgold at BV 9. TD pass to Briscoe on next play. Called back because of holding penalty.
7:52 Ringgold has now completed 2 of 7 passes for ..... minus 12 yards.
7:50 Dalton Holt INT ends BV drive.
8:44 Chacar Berry is running pretty well for Ringgold, but Rams seem to want to establish the pass. But George Martin is now 1 of 6.
BELLE VERNON 7, RINGGOLD 0
It took Belle Vernon three plays to go 11 yards. Luke Durigon scores on 1-yard run.
7:34 Second play. Short pass to Berry. Fumbles. Belle Vernon recovers at 11.
7:31 Game time. Ringoold receiver.
7:17 Kickoff at 7:30. A few updates coming in. Jeanntte has taken 7-0 lead on Clairton. Doubt there will be mercy rule tonight in this one.
Colleague Megan Ryan of P-G reporting Hampton without its standout running back "Wrecking Ball" Matt Rech
Here's something to raise your eyebrows: Post-Gazette boys basketball coach of the year Nick Lackovich of Aliquippa is being investigated for dog fighting.
7:11 Never mind the gold turf and whether you like or dislike. I've always felt Belle Vernon's James Weir Stadium is one of the best places to watch a game.
Everything seems golden. Ringgold - and the new gold turf at Belle Vernon. Check it out. Wild, isn't it? I kind of like it. It's like a layer of gold snow on the field.
PREGAME
The first time these two teams played was 1969. They have not played every year since. Although they have played a number of times, there were a number of years when Ringgold was in Class AAAA and Belle Vernon in AAA. So, they didn't play.
But since that first meeting 46 years ago, they have never met in a game as big as this one during the season. Many years, they played in the season opener.
The closest was 1987 when Ringgold was 6-0-1 and Belle Vernon 5-2.
This is the only turf in the WPIAL that isn't green.
PREGAME