After three consecutive victories against either ranked or undefeated opponents, the New Castle Red Hurricanes are feeling good about themselves. For the Bongivengos, the recent success has been like a family party.

Frank Bongivengo Jr. is in his fourth year as New Castle's coach. His son, Michael, is New Castle's starting quarterback and has excelled in the three-game winning streak. He threw for 383 yards against Montour Friday.

Frank Bongivengo Sr., Michael's grandfather and Frank's father, coaches New Castle's quarterbacks and outside linebackers. And don't forget about Gianna Bongivengo, Michael's sophomore sister who is a "Candy Cane" dancer at games.

"My dad is 70 years old and still going strong," Frank Jr. said. "He's had two open-heart surgeries, but still runs about three miles a day.

"He has a great relationship with my son. You know how it is with a father coaching his son. You say something to your son and they go on the defense right away. I don't do a lot of communicating with my son on the field. I let my dad do that."

Frank Bongivengo Sr. and his son were quarterbacks at New Castle (Frank Sr. graduated in 1956 and Frank Jr. in 1982). Frank Sr. had a 207-106-12 record as Shenango's coach from 1965-98.

"I was an assistant coach for my dad for 11 years at Shenango," said Frank Jr., 44. "Having him here makes me feel real good. He has so much football knowledge. Then seeing your own son be successful, it all makes you proud."

Friday, New Castle defeated a Montour team that was ranked No. 4 in the WPIAL in Class AAA by the Post-Gazette. In the two previous weeks, New Castle defeated West Allegheny and Hopewell, who were both undefeated at the time. New Castle started 0-3.

One of the reasons for New Castle's three-game winning streak is the success of the Hurricanes' spread offense. The past two springs, Frank Jr. and some of his assistant coaches traveled to Kansas University to learn the offense. Kansas' coach is Mark Mangino, a New Castle High graduate.

New Castle scored 53 points in the first three games, but scored 108 in the next three.

Michael Bongivengo, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior, has flourished lately. In the three-game winning streak, he has completed 28 of 44 for 577 yards. He also rushed for 179 yards in a game.

"I think it just took a while to pick up the offense," Frank Jr. said. "Those first three games, we were one or two plays away from breaking long runs. We were dropping balls when we had an opportunity to make a big play. But everything started to click a little more each game.

"Our heads were spinning when we were 0-3. I don't know exactly what made things start to click, but I just hope they keep on clicking."

Gateway's average margin of victory this season is 40 points per game and no team has come within 28 points of the Gators. But maybe -- just maybe -- Gateway will be tested Friday.

Gateway takes a long bus ride to Erie to play McDowell. Although the Trojans aren't in the WPIAL, they play all seven teams in the Class AAAA Foothills Conference.

McDowell has a 4-2 record and lost to McKeesport by only 19-13. McDowell averages 40 points a game and features a potent running attack, led by quarterback A.J. Fenton and running back Alex Schmude, who both average more than 100 yards rushing per game. Against Latrobe Friday, McDowell had 633 yards rushing. Schmude carried 14 times for 291 yards and Fenton had 283 yards on 20 attempts.

Fenton has made a verbal commitment to Wisconsin, where he will play either linebacker or defensive back. He has the school record for rushing with 3,150 yards.

• Penn Hills defensive lineman Aaron Donald picked up a fumble and chugged 86 yards for a touchdown Thursday against Central Catholic. The play was No. 3 on ESPN Sportscenter's top 10 plays of the night.

• Trinity was without coach Ed Dalton in a 14-6 loss to Belle Vernon. Dalton was ejected from the previous game. Under PIAA rules, a player or coach who is ejected is ineligible for the next game.

• Indiana, which lost to Highlands, 21-14, has lost five games the past two seasons by a total of 23 points.

• Fox Chapel's Kyle Majerick kicked two field goals against Plum to give him a WPIAL-leading seven for the season.

East Allegheny running back Monte Ashby went over 4,000 yards rushing in a 51-21 loss to Greensburg Central Catholic. Ashby has 4,019 career yards. He rushed for 1,040 yards as a sophomore at Duquesne, but transferred to East Allegheny last year after Duquesne closed.

Ashby has 2,979 yards in two seasons at East Allegheny.

• Steelton-Highspire running back Jeremiah Young rushed for 277 yards in a 40-14 victory against previously unbeaten Middletown, and moved into fifth place on the state's all-time rushing list with 7,370 yards. The state record is 8,432.

• Wilmington's Terry Verrelli became the winningest coach in Mercer County area history when the Greyhounds defeated Hickory, 53-7. Verrelli's 223rd victory moved him past Greenville's Bob Stone.

• Harrisburg scored 21 points in the final 1:29 of the first half against Central Dauphin East.