Monday, November 23, 2009

The Fall of Peters Township





Peters Township claimed the second PIAA and WPIAL girls tennis team titles in school history. Julie Stroyne and Caroline Nixon won the state girls doubles tournament. The Indians field hockey team won their first WPIAL title.

And the wild thing is Peters Township didn't have as good a fall sports season in 2009 as it did in 2008.

Still, Peters Township remains the area's leader in athletics.

The success of the girls tennis and field hockey teams highlight another successful sports season.

Peters Township girls soccer played in the WPIAL Class AAA championship match a second consecutive year. The Indians controlled much of the action but lost to Seneca Valley on penalty kicks. They were bounced in the PIAA quarterfinals by Erie McDowell in another match where Peters Township controlled play but was unable to finish. In 2008, PT reached the state championship.

With North Carolina State recruit Shelli Spamer leading a strong cast of returning players (Hannah Caso, Olivia Roberson, Christina O'Connor, etc.), Peters Township should achieve similar success in 2010.

Peters Township boys golf also fielded a roster loaded with underclassmen. The Indians won a difficult section and reached the finals of the WPIAL Division I team championship, which they won in 2008 with a senior-laden roster.

Peters Township boys soccer exited the WPIAL playoffs in the quarterfinals with a loss to Bethel Park. The Indians just weren't themselves in that match and watching them lose so early in the postseason is kind of like watching Thomas Jefferson lose to West Allegheny in the football playoffs. It's a rarity.

And, for the first time since 2003, Peters Township football finished with a winning record. At 5-4, the Indians managed two wins over Class AAAA teams (Canon-McMillan, Kiski Area) and returns several top players, most notably quarterback Austin Hancock and running back/defensive back Andrew Erenberg.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Come on Mike. Fall is ambiguous. By fall I thought you meant decline. You should have used autumn or something like that so we know.

Anonymous said...

It doesn't matter...in the winter the boys basketball team will be weak. They won't win 10 games and will be back to being awful. They are a flash in the pan.

mike_kovak said...

Peters Township endured several down years but, more often than not, the Indians are a competitive team.

I expect PT to remain competitive in 2009-10.

Anonymous said...

Don't forget about the Indians Ice Hockey team! Currently 6-0-1, this promises to be an exciting season for Peters Township hockey.

Anonymous said...

this article was about Fall sports.
What is hockey? Is it a high school sport or a club sport? Fall, winter, or spring sport? or all three. Does it follow wpial guidelines for season length, player discipline, eligibility, etc.?
My experience has been no on all counts.

Anonymous said...

Your experience is lacking a bit I'm afraid. Technically, I guess hockey would be a winter sport, good point. As to your other issues, hockey is a club sport that, due to the high cost, is not financially supported by the school district. The club does abide by all the rules of discipline and eligibility (i.e. sharp, attendance, etc) as school sports.