Last Friday night, Hopewell High School’s kicker, Rocco Marcantonio, made a 55-yard field goal in his team’s win against Quaker Valley. That field goal tied the record for the longest field goal made in WPIAL history. 

Scott Seltzer, executive director of the WPIAL, explained that records are not something that WPIAL staff keeps track of. 

“We don’t keep track of any sort of records here at the office,” Seltzer said. “Newspapers are usually the ones that keep track of records and report on those things.”

According to PIAA records, Marcantonio’s 55-yarder is tied with East Allegheny’s Josh Miller for the longest field goal made in WPIAL history. Miller nailed a 55-yard field goal in 2002. 

It was originally reported that Marcantonio’s field goal was a 56-yarder, which would have made it the longest field goal made in WPIAL history. That is because the spot of the football was in between two separate yard lines. The field goal was then ruled a 55-yarder, as it was in between yard lines. 

The National Federation of State High School Associations Statisticians’ Manual gives an example when it comes to the measuring of field goals.

“Player A kicks a field goal from Team B’s 35- and 36-yard lines. It is a 45-yard attempt unless the ball is touching the 36-yard line.”

Just hours before Marcantonio’s 55-yarder, another long field goal was made in the WPIAL. Central Catholic’s kicker, Billy Lech, made a 54-yard field goal in his team’s win against North Allegheny.  

In the same game, North Allegheny’s kicker, Peter Notaro, attempted a 51-yard free kick field goal late in the first half after a fair catch.

Art Walker, head coach of North Allegheny, said it was his first time ever attempting a free kick and gave his reasoning as to why he attempted it. 

“The thought process was that with 30 seconds and no timeouts remaining in the half, it was a great opportunity to attempt the kick – with no rush,” Walker said. 

It ended up missing wide to the right, but was still something worth seeing, since free kicks are uncommon in any level of football. 

Seltzer said some of the current events in the WPIAL, including football and other sports as well. 

“It’s that time of year where everyone is in the middle of their season for football. Everyone has now begun conference play,” Seltzer said. 

Seltzer also mentioned the current state of the season that other sports are in. 

“We have some fall championships for tennis, and golf championships as well,” Seltzer said. “When you get into the middle of October, you have playoffs and championships for volleyball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, and cross country.”

This Tuesday, Oct. 1, officially marks the start of the final two weeks of WPIAL boys’ soccer section play, and 3A golf individual championships will continue throughout this week.