PITTSBURGH - Becca Kelley and Bre Kelley exchanged plenty of talk heading into the matchup between the Pitt and TCU women's volleyball teams Sunday at the State Farm Volleyball Showcase.

The two sisters from Rockwall, Texas, were opponents for the first time. Bre and the third-ranked Panthers came away with a four-set win over the Horned Frogs. TCU, which was ranked No. 25, entered the season ranked for the first time in program history.

"Honestly, it fun," Bre Kelley said. "But also intimidating. The smack talk leading up to the game was intense. I just knew with the work being done and the way we were blocking that I would do good against her."

Bre ended up blocking Becca three times during the match. Becca, who is 6-foot-3, knew hitting over her sister, who is 6-4 wouldn't be easy.

"Brie's a giant," Becca said. "She's really, really good at volleyball, so there was definitely some high pressure there, but also just a lot, a lot of excitement to like go out there and be a dragon. That's one of our main things as a team, is to play as dragons and so a couple of those balls, I was really going for her hands to hit really hard and so, I mean, it was a great battle. She got those three step blocks on me, but there's always another opportunity to play her deeper into the season, so I'm excited for that."

Bre and Becca Kelley earned up being like a lot of athletes during the current climate of college sports. Both went far from home to different colleges after their time in Rockwall, Texas. Each chose to migrate to other programs.

Becca went to Oregon and didn't appear in any matches. She chose to come close to home and play at Texas Christian University, which is 59 miles from her hometown. Bre chose to head southeast and play for Florida. Once Bre left the Gators, she migrated north to Pittsburgh, about 1,590 miles from home.

​Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo

Two Pittsburgh-area fighters had a good night at the Cage Fury Fight Championships event at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Atlantic City. Justin Patton made his debut with the organization by picking up a unanimous decision win over Frank Wells. Patton, a Plum graduate, improved to 9-4 on his career.

Patton was coming off a loss during his last fight to Chuka Willis in April. Karli Jo Thomas, an Albert Gallatin graduate, picked up her second win as a professional. Thomas won by submission in the third round by locking up a rear-naked choke on Annabel Kelly.

Both Patton and Thomas train out of The Mat Factory in Lower Burrell.

​Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

OAKMONT - The Riverview football program hasn't allowed an offensive touchdown in six quarters. The Raiders, who beat Valley 35-0 Saturday, smothered the Vikings Saturday, limiting them to 104 yards of total offense.

Riverview coach Trevor George gave credit to former Raiders coach Todd Massack. Massack, who served as Riverview coach from 2007-13 and 2017 to 2019, was brought back as the defensive coordinator.

"I think our defense jump played phenomenal," George said. "The difference now is we hired a defensive coordinator and some other defensive coaches. He's the former coach and came back to give back." 

The Raiders (2-0) last allowed a touchdown when Beth-Center ran the opening kick back for a score during Week Zero. The Raiders will see the schedule get tougher next week when they travel to Cornell.

"We cleaned up the mistakes from Beth-Center," Sigal said. "I think that everyone is coming together as a team. We have a strong crew."

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges.

FOX CHAPEL - A pair of sophomore quarterbacks made a strong impression during the Burrell and Shady Side Academy game Friday night at Michael J. Farrell Field. Buccaneers quarterback Antonio Perkins dazzled on the ground, while Javon Johnston had a strong overall performance during a 56-26 win by Shady Side Academy.

Perkins, who transferred in from Valley, ran for 174 yards and scored four touchdowns. He also passed for 53 yards, including a 43-yard connection with Trey Coury. Shady Side Academy coach Andrew Geisler said the Bulldogs had to adjust to slow down Perkins' running.

"Honestly, they did a tremendous job," Geisler said. "They exploited where we were a helmet short."

Johnston threw four touchdown passes and ran for four more. Cam Mallory was Johnston's top target, finishing with 142 yards and two touchdowns. BJ Mallory also caught two touchdown passes and finished with 147 yards through the air.

First-year Burrell coach Dom Girardi said it was hard to slow down Shady Side Academy's offense. The Bulldogs were a threat to score every time they touched the ball.

"It's just that," Girardi said. "They have some great athletes. (BJ Mallory) is a real legitimate receiver threat. () is quick and shift. (Cam Mallory is phenomenal. It was a tough matchup for us."

Burrell led briefly in the second quarter, 20-16, following a touchdown run by Johnston. The Buccaneers ended up giving the ball away on three possession with fumbles. Shady Side Academy converted all of them into touchdowns and led 38-20 at the half.

"I think our mentality changed," Johnston said. "We doubted them in the beginning. Then we focused up and went from there. We got better and better."

Girardi said Shady Side Academy wanted to pressure Johnston, but he was able to thwart their pressure.

"Johnston throws a nice ball," Girardi said. "If we did get some pressure, he was able to make plays."

The Bulldogs have started slow in consecutive games. Geisler said he would like to see that improve as the season rolls on.

"We've been sluggish our first two games out," Geisler said. "It's something we need to break habit wise. They've risen to the occasion and they understand we are never out of the ball game."

Central Catholic gets revenge on Pine-Richland
There was some thought Pine-Richland may be the best team in the WPIAL regardless of class. But the Vikings got revenge on their northern rival Friday night. Central Catholic took the lead just before halftime on a 13-yard touchdown catch by Maceo Watkins from Owen Herrick.

The Vikings never gave the lead back. Central Catholic benefitted from three touchdowns from Roman Thompson. The Rams (2-0) were shut out after halftime.

There was no magic in McKeesport
Kemon Spell let the news leak out Thursday night in a post that was quickly deleted off X. The Penn State recruit didn't play after suffering an ankle injury. McKeesport didn't fare well without its top running back, who is a junior. 

Peters Township's defense exploited the Tigers, handing McKeesport a 35-0 shutout defeat. 

Mars finds way to beat Bethel Park
The Black Hawks offense steamrolled Seneca Valley in Week Zero, putting up more than 50 points in a win. Bethel Park came back down to Earth this Friday, allowing Mars running back Liam Corcoran to score on a 2-yard run with 15 seconds remaining in a 17-13 defeat.

The Planets improved to 2-0.
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Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

​Karli Jo Thomas’ introduction to combat sports started as a plan for self defense at the request of her mom, Tonya. Karli Jo and her sister were taken to an MMA-style gym at age 10 to learn how to protect themselves.

Once the now 25-year-old Karli Jo started taking classes at the since shut down Uniontown-basd gym she no longer remembers the name of, she quickly fell in love with the training. Her love of the sport distracted from other questions she may have asked.

Why did they need to learn this intense style of combat?

“Honestly, I’m not really sure,” said Karli Jo, an Albert Gallatin graduate. “She always worries and more so that she knows the world is a little bit crazy. Things can happen and it’s better to have some understanding of how to fight if we have to rather than not.”

Karli Jo more than understands the process now. She will be searching for her second consecutive professional win this Saturday at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on the undercard of the Cage Fury Fighting Championships 145 event.

Karli Jo, who is 1-0 as a professional, will take on Annabel Kelly, who is 3-0 with two knockouts in a strawweight bout. 

Isaac Greeley, who is the owner of the Mat Factory in Lower Burrell where Karli Jo trains, believes this is a good opportunity for her to build her profile.

“They really liked her pro debut,” Greeley said. “They want her to be a part of the organization. If she can win this fight, she can be set to take off in a big way.”

Mom watches, reluctantly
Karli Jo's early fighting experience wasn't like the typical kid who does a karate class. The first gym they attended allowed younger members to give everything a go.
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“We did the punching, kicking and everything they do there,” Karli Jo said. “We worked on grappling, wrestling and jiu jitsu.”

As Karli Jo got more involved with the sport, she ended up at the Uniontown Fight Club -- which also no longer exists -- where she met Josh Fremd, who went on to fight in the UFC, and Nick Browne, who fought in Bellator and the Legacy Fighting Alliance.

Karli Jo, who wrestled one season in high school and now coaches the Waynesburg women’s wrestling team, was all in on fighting. It wasn’t exactly what her mom intended.

But Tonya still attends the fights.

“She has some mixed emotions about it,” Karli Jo said. “She made it clear that she would like it if I did something else. She understands I do it because I love it. It’s where I feel like I have purpose.”

Let’s make a weekend out of it
Karli Jo will have plenty of support in Atlantic City. In addition to her coaches, she will be joined by her boyfriend, Justin Patton, who also trains at the Mat Factory. Patton, who is 8-4 as a professional, is a Plum graduate.

Patton will fight Frank Wells in a featherweight bout in the bout before Karli Jo’s. This is the fourth time they’ve been on the same card together.

“What’s funny is I’ll be fighting after him,” Karli Jo said. “I’m guessing it’s because I’ve fought for them once already. Usually he goes before me because he sells tickets and is more popular. It’s definitely stressful watching someone you care about fight like that.”

Greeley said he is excited to see them both compete.

“They both represent what we stress as the Mat Factory,” Greeley said. “They represent that to the fullest.”

Up for the challenge

Karli Jo is hoping to take another step up in the MMA world. She turned professional last May after spending four years on the amateur circuit.

Greeley said he has seen a large improvement in her skillset. Karli Jo cut her teeth in the Ohio Combat Legue and 247 Fighting Championships as an amateur.

“She’s an amazing fighter,” Greeley said. “She’s probably the toughest fighter we have. She is a gritty, tough girl and she’s getting really technical.”

Karli Jo submitted Lateesha Mohl in the first round with a guillotine in her debut. She isn’t trying to make any promises for her upcoming fight.

“From the first fight to the second fight, it doesn’t feel too much better,” Karli Jo said. “It doesn’t feel much better than being an amateur. It’s about learning how to handle the five-minute rounds and pacing myself.”

​Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

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Peters Township graduate Donovan McMillon will get an opportunity to play on an NFL opening day roster with the Cleveland Browns. McMillon, who played collegiately at Florida and Pitt, earned a spot at safety. McMillon played his first two seasons at Florida before moving closer to home to play at Pitt.

McMillon finished with 115 tackles and an interception during his senior season with the Panthers. During the preseason with the Browns, McMillon broke up two passes and made seven tackles. Penn Hills graduate Daquan Hardy is still hanging onto his dream with the Buffalo Bills.

Hardy wasn't chosen for the opening day roster, but was brought back to the Bills practice squad. Hardy played collegiately at Penn State.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

 Kemon Spell scored every way you could imagine last Saturday at the Wolvarena. The McKeesport star junior tailback piled up 292 yards on the ground and got into the end zone five times during a beatdown of Delaware Valley.

The Tigers, who figure to play a large role in the WPIAL Class 4A title picture, will welcome 5A contender Peters Township this Friday. The Indians also opened with a big win over Canon-McMillan. Nolan DiLucia led the Indians with three touchdown passes. Cole Neupaver ran for 109 yards for Peters Township.

Peters Township beat McKeesport 42-7 last season at home. The Tigers are a proud program and will want to put on a better showing than they did last season. This should be a good contest.

Vikings want to right their ship
Central Catholic couldn't have opened with a tougher opponent than it did last week at the Wolvarena. The Vikings took on La Salle College, who has Mizzou commit Gavin Sidwar under center. Central Catholic, despite its massive size on the offensive line, couldn't get the ball moving against the Explorers.

The Vikings only put up six points and will have another tough challenge against Pine-Richlands. The Rams are the defending Class 5A champions and are loaded with talent. Aaron "Oobi" Strader plays quarterback, while Florida State commit Jay Timmons and Penn State commit Khalil Taylor give him strong options in the passing game.

The Rams will have to figure out how to handle Central Catholic's line, which includes Jimmy Kalis, Jon Sassic, Cole Bayer and James Halter. All of those players weight 270 pounds or more.

Pine-Richland won the matchup, 22-17, last season.

Deer Lakes looks for measuring stick
The Lancers picked up what ended up being their most impressive win of the season during the meeting between the teams last season. Deer Lakes beat the eventual WPIAL Class 2A champions by 13 points on the road. The Lancers would start the season 6-0 for the first time in school history before finishing 8-3 and losing in the first round of the 3A playoffs.

Deer Lakes (1-0) opened the season by smothering Keystone Oaks 23-7. South Park (1-0) knocked off East Allegheny, 33-26.

Woodland Hills looks for second consecutive win over rival
The Woodland Hills and Penn Hills game didn't finish last season after a shooting down the street forced a stoppage in the game with 10 minutes remaining. The Wolverines were on their way to a win with a 26-6 lead over their rivals in the "King of the Hills" rivalry game. The matchup this season is a meaningful one for both sides, despite not being a conference game.

The Indians were shut out of for the first time in five seasons when they lost to New Castle, 12-0, in Week Zero. Woodland Hills gave North Allegheny all it could handle, but ended up losing to the Tigers 28-26 on a late touchdown. Scoop Smith and Ziggy Moore, who committed to Miami (Ohio) and N.C. State, respectively, both looked good in Week Zero.

The Indians are hoping to get their offense moving in the right direction, as highly-touted receiver Carter Bonner provides Penn Hills with a strong target in the passing game.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

The Pennsylvania girls volleyball season is underway and there will be plenty of WPIAL teams with high aspirations for this season. North Allegheny was voted the top team in the Class 4A preseason rankings, while Greensburg Central Catholic is the top-ranked team in Class A.

A pair of WPIAL teams, Mars and Beaver, were ranked second and third in the 3A preseason rankings, respectively. Quaker Valley was the only 2A squad to appear in the rankings, popping in at No. 9.

The WPIAL players selected as players to watch included: Ashlyn Black, Greensburg Central Catholic, right side; Julia Cernich, Avonworth, outside hitter; Kailyn Connelly, Beaver, middle hitter/outside hitter; Cecilia Christy, Mars, middle hitter; Molly Robertson, North Allegheny, outside hitter and Alex Knox, Peters Township, setter.

​Check out the PVCA's full rankings here.

​Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

SHALER TWP - Carlo Prati watched the Fox Chapel girls soccer team, with six new starters, go through the learning process together Monday night at Biles Field.

In the first half, Fox Chapel learned the importance of variety in the attack. During the second half of the Foxes' 2-1 Section 1-3A win over Shaler, Fox Chapel worked on situational awareness. The Foxes played the last 24 minutes down a player after Caylie Wilkinson was issued a straight red card for an aggressive foul.

Prati said after the match he was told Wilkinson had slapped a Shaler player on the follow through to an attempted tackle.

Prati was happy with how the Foxes (2-0, 1-0) handled things down the stretch. If anything, Prati was worried they were too aggressive. Emily McKee, who recently gave a verbal commitment to Pitt, scored both of the Foxes' goals.

"I thought they did really well," Prati said. "At times, I had to keep telling them to hold back a little bit because they wanted to attack. We wanted to try and play the ball in the corner and run out of here with a win."

Shaler (0-1, 0-1) was happy to see progress against Fox Chapel. The Titans made the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in four decades last season. During their two meetings with Fox Chapel, Shaler was outscored 10-2.

Naudia Zotter scored the Titans' goal Monday night to cut the deficit to one goal in the 70th minute. 

Titans coach Bill Ament watched the film of the second match with Fox Chapel last season -- a 5-1 defeat -- before the teams met again. What stood out to Ament was how his players had grown physically. Sophomore defender Lily Trgovic was one of the many players that stood out to Ament.

"They looked like little babies last year," Ament said. "Lilly Trgovic looked liked one of the smallest people on the field. She was ready to go (on Monday). We are bigger, faster and stronger than they were last year." 

Fox Chapel controlled most of the possession in the first half, but had a hard time generating chances. McKee created the spark in the 25th minute. She beat Shaler defender Zoey Cieslak in the race for a 50-50 ball. From there, McKee was able to get the ball inside the box and sneak a shot past Shaler keeper Paige Querio.

"I thought we did OK," Ament said. "We have a lot of the same girls from last year. We were hoping to be more competitive and thankfully we were. We made two mistakes and unfortunately it found Emily's foot both times. I can't say how proud I am of these girls. I've been waiting for this feeling when we go against elite competition and almost pull one off."

Fox Chapel wasn't able to generate much else in the attack during the first half. The Foxes would get the ball forward, but weren't able to get the last connecting pass to put the shots away.

"We were very predictable," Prati said. "I told them that at halftime, you can't be so predictable every time going to the same person over and over again, making the same runs. With six new starters, it's going to take time with them getting used to each other."

In the second half, McKee doubled Fox Chapel's lead on a shot from 25 yards out in the 58th minute. She launched the ball from outside the box into the top corner that went above the leaping Querio.

McKee nearly scored again in the 63rd minute, hitting a looping shot that bounced off the crossbar.

"In the pregame, she hammered one in the upper corner," Prati said. "I said 'Emily, let's see if we can do that tonight.' The second goal she scored was a laser. After that, she hit that one off the crossbar. She helped us for sure today."

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshrizzo.

The Pitt women's volleyball team hasn't shied away from playing a demanding non-conference schedule as the program's prestige has grown in the past half-decade. But the Panthers suffered heavy roster losses from their team that reached their fourth straight NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament semifinal last season.

No. 3 Pitt lost to No. 16 Florida in five sets Sunday as part of the American Volleyball Coaches Association First Serve Showcase in Lincoln, Neb. The Panthers also lost to No. 1 Nebraska on Friday night. Pitt is off to its first 0-2 start since 2020.

The Panthers only lost two matches last season. Pitt's schedule won't lighten up soon. The Panthers' next two matches will be played at PPG Paints Arena on Labor Day weekend. Pitt will play No. 23 Texas Christian on Sunday, and have a matchup with No. 13 Arizona State on Labor Day.

The Panthers were hit hard with losses, including seeing one of their top hitters, Torey Stafford, transfer to Texas. Pitt also lost all-American setter Rachel Fairbanks to graduation. Olivia Babcock, who was named AVCA Player of the Year last season, leads the Panthers with 46 kills.

Dagmar Mourits, a freshman from the Netherlands, is second with 19.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.