ROBBY ARMSTRONG

SCHOOL: Franklin Regional.

WHO IS HE? A senior running back who has come back from a horrible foot injury a year ago to become one of the leading rushers in the WPIAL.

LAST WEEK: Armstrong rushed for 178 yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns in a 34-7 victory against Greensburg Salem.

In the season opener against Plum, he rushed for 250 yards on 28 carries.

AGONY OF DE-FEET: Armstrong was battling for the starting running back job a year ago when his left foot was broken in the second game against Greensburg Salem. The injury required surgery and doctors to insert three metal plates and 19 screws into Armstrong's foot. The plates and screws are still in the foot.

On top of the injury, Armstrong developed a problem with the skin on his foot. "I had to keep my foot elevated and I basically didn't leave my house for three months," he said.

DEALING WITH IT: Armstrong was home-schooled from October to December because of the injury. He admitted he was depressed. But he eventually bounced back and his coach sings his praises.

"He's one of those kids who went through a tremendous hardship," said coach Greg Botta. "But he worked his butt off and now is heavier, stronger and faster. I couldn't be happier for any other kid on the team."

DIVISION I POTENTIAL? Botta has been pushing Armstrong (3.8 GPA) as a Division I college running back.

"His name just isn't out there yet because he didn't get any playing time or game film last year."

-- By Mike White

SCHOOL: South Allegheny.

WHO IS SHE? A 5-foot-3 forward on the girls' soccer team and one of the most prolific scorers in the WPIAL a year ago.

THE PAST WEEK: A sophomore, Handra scored all of the goals Saturday in a 4-0 victory against West Mifflin in the second day of the Mon Valley Classic. The Gladiators and Woodland Hills tied, 0-0, the day before.

CAREER: Handra scored a goal in the opening game of her freshman season and ended the 2004 season with 50 goals, tops in the WPIAL. That included nine games with four goals or more. She is on course to challenge the WPIAL record for career goals, 205, by Jess Strom of Steel Valley.

ALL-AROUND SKILLS: Goal-scoring is Handra's most visible skill. But it isn't her only one. "Jonna is very, very fast," said South Allegheny coach Mandi Oresick. "She is also a great shooter who has great ball skills. And she is definitely aggressive."

SISTER STORY: There is more than one Handra on the Gladiators roster. Jonna's only sibling, Jenna is a junior forward. The sisters started playing organized soccer together when they were 3 and 4. They didn't learn that game from their parents. "My dad was a football player and my mom was a cheerleader," Jonna Handra said, chortling.

-- By Rick Shrum