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Monday, October 11, 1999 By Mike White, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
West Allegheny already had the No. 1 defense in the state. Now the Indians are the No. 1 team.
West Allegheny moved into the top spot in the Post-Gazette state Class AAA rankings this week after Manheim Central lost Friday night to Wilson, 34-29. Manheim Central had been ranked No. 1 since the start of the season.
West Allegheny is 6-0 and has not allowed a touchdown all season. The Indians gave up a field goal to Montour in the first game.
Manheim Central could have used some defensive help against Wilson (6-0), a Class AAAA team from West Lawn, Pa. Wilson running back Pete Gilmore, who already has made a verbal commitment to Penn State, rushed for 303 yards on a school-record 43 carries. He also scored four touchdowns on runs of 37, 5, 3 and 4 yards.
The game wasn't that close as Manheim Central scored two touchdowns in the final 30 seconds. Wilson's ball-control offense kept Manheim Central star quarterback Jeff Smoker off the field for much of the game. Smoker, a Michigan State recruit, attempted only 15 passes and completed 10 for 183 yards.
The loss dropped Manheim Central to No. 2 in the PIAA rankings.
The PIAA Class A rankings look significantly different this week as three of the top five teams lost. No. 2 Rochester lost to South Side Beaver, 14-0, No. 3 Mahanoy Area lost to Sharpsville, 27-6, and No. 4 Smethport lost to Cameron County, 17-0.
All three losers dropped out of the top five and Monaca moved up to No. 2. Sharpsville, Bishop Carroll and Clairton moved into the top five.
The only other change in the PIAA rankings came in Class AA. Marian Catholic, which was No. 3 last week, dropped to No. 5 after losing to No. 1 Mount Carmel, 6-0. The only score of the game came in the first quarter when Al Bailey ran 25 yards for a touchdown.
In the WPIAL rankings, Baldwin dropped out of the top five in Class AAAA after losing to Mt. Lebanon, and New Castle moved into the fifth spot. Monaca and Clairton moved up in the Class A rankings after Rochester's loss while Monessen moved into the fifth spot. South Fayette dropped out after losing to Brentwood.
Death postpones game
The Pottstown-Phoenixville game Friday was postponed. School officials made the decision after Pottstown lineman Jared Bentley collapsed and died during a junior varsity game last Monday. An autopsy failed to determine the cause of death, but a coroner hopes more extensive tests will reveal the cause.
State highlights
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Landisville Hempfield quarterback Aaron Herr rushed for 218 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-28 victory over Governor Mifflin. Herr is the son of former major-league baseball player Tom Herr. The younger Herr is a senior and plays shortstop and pitcher in baseball. He is expected to be selected in next June's major-league draft.