This past week: Howard rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns as Clairton shut out Avonworth in the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals. Next up is Laurel, the only team to defeat the Bears this season.

Check this out: A 5-foot-8, 165-pound senior, Howard has used a combination of speed, quick feet and surprising strength to run for 1,609 yards and 28 touchdowns.

How bad have you guys wanted to get another shot at Laurel? We've been hoping for it ever since we got on the bus that night. We're a totally different team right now. They feel like since they beat us once, they'll beat us again. But we feel like we're the best team in the state.

Want to give a prediction? (He laughs) No. I'm not saying anything.

You've scored 66 touchdowns in your career. Does one stick out as meaning the most? I would say the touchdown I ran in against Farrell [in the PIAA semifinals last season] that won the game and got us to the championship game.

Which touchdown run would you rather have: 50 yards or 1 yard on fourth-and-goal? The fourth-and-goal because it shows how strong I am. People think I'm just a speed guy since I'm little, but that shows my power.

You and teammate Kevin Weatherspoon race. Who wins? I would win.

If you could pick one school to play, outside of Class A, who would it be? McKeesport. We feel like they have similar talent to us, and when we see those guys they say they'd pound us and everything because we're Class A. But we feel like we could play with them.

What's the coolest thing about playing at Heinz Field? Just stepping on the field knowing that some of the best players in the NFL played on that. It was just a great feeling.

What's your favorite food? Catfish. My mom makes the best.

-- By Brad Everett

This past week: Sarsfield scored a goal in a 2-1 victory against South Park in the PIAA Class AA girls' soccer semifinals Tuesday.

Check this out: Sarsfield, a senior, is the team's second-leading scorer with 16 goals. She is a two-sport standout for the Dynamos, winning two WPIAL Class AA track championships in the 400 meters. Two years ago, she became the first female in Springdale history to win a PIAA track championship.

Springdale lost to South Park in the WPIAL finals and the PIAA semifinals last year, and the year before. What turned things around this year? Our team really came together this year, worked as a team and had great chemistry. I just think the experience we had in the past gave us the extra edge to push through this year.

Why does Springdale always seem to be good in soccer -- boys and girls? I think we just have a love for soccer, and practically all of the girls on the team have been playing since we were 4 or 5.

What would you like to do in college, play soccer or run track? Probably play soccer. It's just been a love of mine since I was a little kid and still is now.

Your least favorite Thanksgiving food? Probably stuffing.

Three words that describe you most? Hard-working, fun and determined.

A song that always makes you smile? My sister and I have always liked "All Star" by Smash Mouth.

Do you know what a Dynamo is? Yeah, it's a generator of electricity.

People might be surprised to know that ... I took dance class until sixth grade and then had to make a choice between soccer and dance.

-- By Mike White

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