Red team rules as WCCA Foothills Classic football game returns from hiatus

June 11, 2017

MVP D.J. Franklin of Kiski Area holds the winning team trophy as he celebrates with Red squad teammates following their 21-0 shutout of the Blue team in the 2017 WCCA Foothills Classic all-star game.

Following an eight-year absence, the Westmoreland County Coaches Association's Foothills Classic all-star football game is back. Two teams of recent Westmoreland County high school senior graduates battled one last time on a warm June 9th under the Friday-night lights at Norwin Knights Stadium. When the final whistle blew, the Red team beat the Blue squad 21-0.

Kiski Area standout D.J. Franklin, named MVP of the Red squad, scored twice on touchdown receptions from quarterbacks Omar Ward of Kiski School and Mt. Pleasant's Johnny Yester. Derry's Tyler Balega caught a 41-yard bomb from Ward in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring. The Blue team's Kyle Turkovsky of Norwin led all rushers with 69 yards on 10 carries.

The Red team, under head coach Muzzy Colosimo, was represented by players from Burrell, Valley, Hempfield, Kiski Area, Derry, Mt. Pleasant, Kiski School, Latrobe and Greensburg Salem. Blue team players under head coach Greg Botta came from Norwin, Jeannette, Yough, Southmoreland, Belle Vernon, Penn-Trafford, Franklin Regional and Greensburg Central Catholic.

A large slideshow of photos from the game can be viewed on this site under the WCCA Photos menu. Photo prints are also available for purchase.

A video rebroadcast of the game is available at Westmoreland Sports Network.

Blue team head coach Greg Botta of Franklin Regional prepares to lead his squad onto the field prior to the game.

Mt. Pleasant's Keith Kalp (16) congratulates Derry tailback Tyler Balega (27) following a good gain for a first down in the first half.

Norwin's Kyle Turkovsky finds running room on his way to a game-high 69 yards rushing.

Keywords: WCCA, all-stars, football, high school, westmoreland county