Westinghouse Strikes with Big Plays to Top Steel Valley

TURTLE CREEK, Pa. — The top dogs in the City of Pittsburgh returned to the field to open the 2025 season as the Westinghouse Bulldogs took on the Steel Valley Ironmen.

Despite claiming its third consecutive City League crown a year ago, Westinghouse saw its state title hopes get cut short in the PIAA quarterfinals. In 2025, the Bulldogs are looking to capture it all and it started with a 22-12 win over the Ironmen on the second day of the KDKA Kickoff Classic at The Wolvarena.

The Bulldogs relied on a trio of explosive plays, including two from running back Dameon Hill, who finished with 132 rushing yards on 14 carries and a receiving score.

Westinghouse (1-0) kept a Steel Valley (0-1) offense led by senior Pitt defensive back commit Da’Ron Barksdale in check for a majority of the afternoon. Steel Valley attempted a late rally with a pair of touchdowns in the final six minutes but the Bulldogs leaned on three big strikes on offense to outlast the Ironmen.

A year ago in the Kickoff Classic, Westinghouse found the end zone on the very first touch as the Bulldogs returned the opening kick.

This time, it took until late in the second quarter to get on the board. A fumble and stout defensive play from Steel Valley kept the Bulldogs and sophomore quarterback Zahir Ishmali at bay.

Westinghouse eventually put points on the board when Ishmali hit junior Dameon Hill on a quick screen and he weaved through the defense for a 32-yard touchdown with less than five minutes remaining in the half.

Throughout the first half of play, yards came at a premium prior to the Hill score. On the ensuing Westinghouse drive, the Bulldogs broke off for an even longer touchdown as K’shawn Hawkins took the direct snap, found a hole in the defensive line and sped away for a 78-yard score.

Barksdale, who stars on both sides of the ball at defensive back and as Steel Valley’s starting quarterback, could not do it all himself. Although he ripped off a few tough runs through the first three quarters, the Bulldogs had his number with a defensive front led by Akron commit Josiah Collins and sophomore end Daejour Pinckney, who holds Power Four offers from Pitt and Wisconsin.

Westinghouse’s big-strike offense was back again in the fourth quarter as Hill shed off a few tacklers before taking off for an 80-yard rushing touchdown as the Bulldogs led 22-0.

While Barksdale primarily kept it on the ground through the first three quarters, he resorted to the air in the final minutes of the contest. A 40-yard connection to Tyrell Breland set up another passing play as the signal caller hit an open Torian Barnett for a 29-yard touchdown.

Barksdale would add one final score on the ground just as time expired.

Westinghouse moves on to a matchup with The Linsly School in Wheeling, W.Va. next week. Steel Valley takes on Washington next Friday on the road.

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