Oct 26, 2002 By The 11 min read

The offenses received all the headlines going into the game, but it was the defenses that ruled in Uniontown’s 20-0 victory over visiting Laurel Highlands at Bill Power Memorial Stadium on Friday night. Nashaun Jackson intercepted Mustangs quarterback Matt Humbert three times, and Laurel Highlands running back Corey Nesser was held to 19 yards as the Red Raiders improved to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Keystone Conference.

The Mustangs fell to 4-5 and 3-3.

Both teams had already qualified for the WPIAL playoffs the week before. Uniontown finishes in a second-place tie with Greensburg Salem, which lost to Derry on Friday, and Laurel Highlands winds up in fourth place.

Bill McLee rushed for 115 yards, and Ryan Guthrie, Todd Jackson and Greg Leonard each scored on short touchdown runs to lead Uniontown’s offense.

The start of the game was delayed 30 minutes when Laurel Highlands was told it couldn’t wear its metal spikes on Uniontown’s artificial surface and had to switch shoes.

Both offenses struggled in a scoreless first half. Uniontown finally cracked the scoreboard with a four-play, 28-yard drive capped by Guthrie’s one-yard quarterback sneak with 3:36 left in the third quarter. The scoring march was set up by Jackson’s first interception.

Jackson’s second interception set up a two-play scoring drive that Leonard finished up with a four-yard run with 10:04 left in the game.

Todd Jackson, who rushed for 84 yards, added a two-yard TD blast with 1:21 left.

Humbert completed just 13 of 33 passes for 90 yards.

Charleroi 14, Brownsville 7 – Brownsville coach Don Bartolomucci walked the sidelines as a coach in the WPIAL for 37 years.

Friday’s disappointing loss to Charleroi marked the end of Bartolomucci’s coaching career as Brownsville finished its season at 1-4 in the Interstate Conference and 2-7 overall.

“It’s a little disappointing to finish 2-7, but I have no regrets whatsoever,” Bartolomucci said.

His Falcons battled back late in the game, but fell short to host Charleroi (2-4, 5-4).

Brownsville and Charleroi would not be participating in the post-season, but Friday’s matchup resembled a playoff atmosphere with both teams battling to end their seasons on a high note. Brownsville wanted the win for a fitting sendoff for Bartolomucci, and Charleroi needed the win to finish with a winning record.

“Our primary goal was that we wanted to finish the conference with a little pride,” said Charleroi coach Jim Dumm.

Senior Charleroi running back Mario Tarquinio led the attack with 127 yards on 32 carries, enough to give him 1,000 yards in his career.

“He took care of the ball extremely well tonight despite the conditions,” said Dumm. “When things like that happen, it’s not only a credit to Mario, but Charleroi’s football team.”

Carmichaels 37, Frazier 8 – Rare is the occasion when a team that has just lost by four touchdowns is jubilant in the locker room after the game.

Frazier entered the final Tri-County South Conference game of the season against Carmichaels, the undefeated section champion needing a win over the Mikes or a Jefferson-Morgan victory over West Greene.

Despite losing to the Mikes, the word was relayed soon after the game that the Rockets had upset West Greene, 14-6, sending Frazier into to the WPIAL Class A playoffs as the fourth-place team from the conference.

Carmichaels dominated the game in all facets, scoring four touchdowns in the first half behind the running of Colby Giles and Bobby Hathaway.

Hathaway scored both first quarter touchdowns on runs of 32 and 2 yards. Hathaway powered his way to 99 yards, including 94 yards in the first half on 13 carries.

Colby Giles got into the act with the first touchdown of the second quarter. He finished with 147 yards rushing. Jojo Menhart scored on a short run just before the half and Justin Zielensky dove in from one yard for the final Mikes touchdown.

Frazier averted the shutout when Craig Neely dove in from one yard out midway through the fourth quarter.

“Last year we scored 42 points and only won one game. This year says a lot about our kids. I’m proud of them,” Frazier coach Larry Wilson said.

Albert Gallatin 33, Ringgold 14 – Albert Gallatin running back Vaughn Jones went over 1,000 yards rushing by churning out 243 yards on 37 carries in a 33-14 win over Ringgold in the last Quad West game for both teams Friday night at Ringgold.

Jones scored the first and last of Albert Gallatin’s five touchdowns, as the Colonials improved to 2-4 in conference play and 2-7 overall. AG visits Penn-Trafford in a crossover game next Friday at 7:30 p.m. Quarterback Zack Dawson also scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground for the Colonials, while Scott Piper added a touchdown run.

The Colonials ran for 350 of their 400 total yards and limited the winless Rams (0-6, 0-9) to an even 200 (136 on the ground and 64 through the air). Ringgold hosts Plum Friday night.

Jones, only a junior, not only topped 1,000, but crossed 1,100 in the process. He goes into the Penn-Trafford with 1,104 career rushing yards.

“It’s kind of hard to enjoy it because we had a losing season,” Jones said. “But I’m happy with the way we played tonight. The offensive line and our defense did a heck of a job tonight.”

“Vaughn had a great game for us,” Colonials coach Chuck Colburn. “In fact, all of our backs ran well tonight. The conditions were sloppy out there. We would have liked to have thrown the ball a little bit more, but we decided to just keep it on the ground.”

“He does a nice job,” Ringgold coach Jeff Matty said of Jones. “He’s a good back and I’m sure Chuck is happy to have him back for another year.”

California 28, Geibel Catholic 0 – It might not have been a fit night out for man nor beast, but it was a beautiful night for Trojans.

California (4-5, 4-3) capitalized on two big Geibel Catholic mistakes in the first quarter and two fine examples of ball control in the second half to collar the Gators, 28-0, and clinch a berth in the WPIAL Class A playoffs.

Ryan Robinson led the 320-yard California ground offense with 178 yards and two scores in 29 carries, and Calvin Kent carried 18 times for 74 yards.

California recovered three Geibel fumbles in the first period and turned two of them into scores by Robinson (37 yards) and Bongiorno (18 yards) to lead 14-0 at the half. Geibel was held without a first down until the final minute of the half, then got two while making its deepest move of the half to the California 44.

California took the second half kickoff from its 28 to another score by Robinson in 18 plays, controlling the ball for 8:08.

Geibel (1-8, 1-6) ran three plays and punted to the California 42.

The Trojans then marched 58 yards in five plays with Kent scoring from the three.

At 11:04 of the fourth, the Trojans took over at their 46 and moved to the Geibel 22, controlling the ball 6:59 along the way.

Geibel’s deepest move in the second half was to the California 22 on its last possession.

Connellsville 30, Hempfield 16 – sophomore fullback Matt Blackstone rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns, leading Connellsville to a win over Hempfield.

Blackstone scored on runs of 55 and three yards as the Falcons (2-7, 1-5) broke out of a four-week scoring slump that yielded only three points.

Connellsville quarterback Justin Marsinko had a hand in two scores on a 14-yard run and a three-yard scoring pass to Brent Wilson.

Hempfield (0-9, 0-6) scored on a 32-yard pass from Mike Sudenov to Jacob Hayden and a two-yard run by Mike Marvis.

Washington 15, Waynesburg 7 – Leave it to the defending state champions and the weatherman to wash out the logjam for second place in the Interstate Conference. The Little Prexies and a mud-drenched field, that is.

Washington needed an eight-point win over Waynesburg Central and a Greensburg Central Catholic loss. That’s exactly what happened as quagmire-like conditions at Raider Field bottled up the Waynesburg offense as the Little Prexies sloshed their way to victory behind the power running game of Travis Thomas.

Thomas rushed for 214 yards on a school-record 32 carries, leading the Prexies’ uncharacteristic brute running game for the win.

“That is why I am most proud of this team,” said Washington coach Guy Montecalvo. “We are known as a finesse team, and I think tonight we showed we have a power component to our running game.”

With the win, Washington (4-2, 6-3) leapfrogs now third-place Waynesburg (4-2, 6-3) in the Interstate standings, while both teams advance to the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.

PIAA RESULTS

WESTERN REGION

Albert Gallatin 33, Ringgold 14

Apollo-Ridge 11, Ford City 10

Avella 7, Burgettstown 6

Avonworth 41, Cornell 0

Beaver 21, Beaver Falls 0

Bellwood-Antis 21, Moshannon Valley 16

Beth-Center 33, Bentworth 6

Bethel Park 10, Mt. Lebanon 3

Bishop Carroll 34, Cambria Heights 0

Bishop Guilfoyle 35, Penns Valley 0

Blackhawk 31, Ambridge 7

Blairsville 42, Laurel Valley 6

Bradford 31, Strong Vincent 6

Brentwood 15, Clairton 13

Brockway 41, Youngsville 0

Brookville 12, Meadville 10

Burrell 21, Freeport 20

California 28, Geibel 0

Canon-McMillan 49, Trinity 12

Carmichaels 37, Frazier 8

Center 12, Aliquippa 0

Central Catholic 14, Baldwin 12

Charleroi 14, Brownsville 0

Chestnut Ridge 14, Claysburg-Kimmel 0

Clarion-Limestone 34, A-C Valley 0

Clearfield 52, Dubois 24

Connellsville 30, Hempfield 16

Derry 20, Greensburg Salem 7

East Allegheny 23, South Allegheny 0

Erie McDowell 49, Altoona 0

Fairview 36, Corry 0

Farrell 38, Summit Academy 14

Forest Hills 34, Richland 0

Fort Cherry 23, Chartiers-Houston 7

Fort LeBeouf 25, Iroquois

Fox Chapel 35, Indiana 20

Freedom 32, Ellwood City 12

Gateway 16, Franklin Regional 0

General McLean 38, Girard 12

Grove City 14, Wilmington 7

Harbor Creek 19, Seneca 6

Hickory 7, Reynolds 6

Highlands 22, Hampton 7

Hollidaysburg 16, Huntingdon 7

Hopewell 10, Moon 0

Indian Valley 17, Lewistown 9

Jeannette 35, Greensburg C.C. 7

Jefferson-Morgan 14, West Greene 6

Johnstown 36, Central Martinsburg 8

Karns City 54, West Shamokin 0

Keystone 35, Clarion 0

Keystone Oaks 41, Chartiers Valley 0

Kiski Area 34, Plum 7

Kittanning 40, Valley 0

Ligonier Valley 10, Northern Cambria 0

Mars 39, Deer Lakes 0

McKeesport 17, Upper St. Clair 7

Meyersdale 20, North Star 0

Monaca 14, Rochester 13

Monessen 35, Mapletown 8

Moniteau 28, Pymatuning Valley, Ohio 12

Mount Pleasant 34, Yough 6

Mount Union 7, Tussey Mountain 6

New Brighton 14, Quaker Valley 0

New Castle 13, Belle Vernon 10

North Allegheny 19, North Hills 0

North Catholic 12, Shady Side Academy 10

Northern Bedford 20, Williamsburg 6

Northgate 30, Steel Valley 0

Northwestern 28, Northeast 8

Penn Cambria 35, Somerset 0

Penn-Trafford 30, Latrobe 10

Perry 67, Westinghouse 0

Peters Township 35, Elizabeth Forward 24

Pine-Richland 14, Knoch 7

Portage 51, Ferndale 0

Redbank Valley 27, Union-Rimersburg 7

Redlands 17, Williamsport 7

Riverside 28, Laurel 14

Saltsburg 26, Purchase Line 12

Schenley 40, South 0

Seneca Valley 32, Butler 0

Seton-LaSalle 35, Carlynton 6

Shaler 21, Norwin 0

Sharon 7, Greenville 6

Slippery Rock 40, Mercer 6

South Fayette 26, South Park 23, OT

Southmoreland 25, McGuffey 0

Springdale 34, Riverview 12

State College 14, Erie Cathedral 0

Sto-Rox 20, Canevin 17, 2OT

Thomas Jefferson 42, West Mifflin 0

Tyrone 20, Punxsutawney 12

Union 20, Neshannock 13

Uniontown 20, Laurel Highlands 0

Washington 15, Waynesburg 7

West Allegheny 35, Montour 0

West Branch 39, Juniata Valley 14

West Middlesex 28, Maplewood 6

Windber 48, Berlin Brothersvalley 12

Woodland Hills 27, Penn Hills 2

EASTERN REGION

Athens 29, Troy 0

Bellefonte 26, Bald Eagle Area 0

Bethlehem Catholic 50, Allentown Allen 13

Big Spring 12, Greencastle-Antrim 7

Biglerville 16, Palmyra 6

Bishop Hoban 20, Wilkes-Barre GAR 0

Blue Mountain 11, Hanover 8

Box 20, West Philadelphia 6

Boyertown 36, Pottsgrove 8

Canton 27, Bucktail 0

Central 34, Roxborough 0

Central Dauphin 52, Carlisle 6

Central Dauphin East 21, Harrisburg 13

Central Mountain 26, Jersey Shore 6

Central York 31, Susquehannock 12

Cocalico 20, Pequea Valley 0

Conestoga 28, Springfield Delco 7

Conwell-Egan 24, Kennedy-Kenrick 6

Cumberland Valley 49, Chambersburg 0

Dallas 20, Berwick 19, 2OT

Dallastown 21, South Western 0

Delone Catholic 42, Littlestown 0

Downingtown 42, Coatesville 13

Dunmore 44, Carbondale 14

East Pennsboro 34, Shippensburg 13

Easton 37, Northampton 7

Exeter 42, Twin Valley 6

Frankford 12, Northeast 6, OT

Franklin 12, Mastbaum 6, OT

Garden Sport 34, Ephrata 7

Germantown Academy 14, Episcopal 10

Great Valley 34, Harriton 7

Halifax 68, Upper Dauphin 6

Hanover 45, Kennard-Dale 6

Hazleton Area 9, Wyoming Area 0

Hempfield 31, Cedar Crest 13

Honesdale 37, Scranton 28

Hughesville 31, Warrior Run 20

Interboro 41, West Chester East 12

Juniata 32, Pine Grove 21

Lackawanna Trail 14, Old Forge 12

Lakeland 47, Western Wayne 0

Lampeter-Strasburg 13, Northern Lebanon 7

Lancaster Catholic 38, Donegal 6

Lancaster McCaskey 37, Governor Mifflin 14

Lebanon 14, Solanco 0

Lehighton 28, Pocono Mountain West 0

Lourdes Regional 28, Cardinal Brennan 6

Lower Dauphin 14, Gettysburg 7

Loyalsock 10, Bloomsburg 0

Malvern Prep 55, Haverford School 0

Manheim Central 30, Conestoga Valley 20

Marian 28, Jim Thorpe 16

Mechanicsburg 14, Hershey 7

Mifflinburg 19, Milton 12

Minersville 22, Tamaqua 12

Monsignor Bonner 35, Father Judge 20

Mount Carmel 18, Danville 7

Muhlenberg 25, Conrad Weiser 0

Muncy 43, Northwest 20

Nanticoke 39, Bishop O’Reilly 26

Neshaminy 23, Glen Mills 7

New Oxford 24, Red Lion 10

Newport 22, Tri-Valley 15

North Penn 33, Pennsbury 21

North Penn 41, Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech 13

Northern 33, West Perry 14

Northern Lehigh 17, Catasauqua 14

Northwestern 56, Palmerton 7

Overbrook 22, Edison 0

Panther Valley 38, Montgomery 22

Parkland 49, Bethlehem Freedom 13

Pen Argyl 10, Notre Dame 7

Penncrest 28, Upper Darby 6

Perkiomen Valley 34, Phoneixville 12

Pittston 30, Wilkes-Barre Coughlin 6

Pottstown 60, Spring-Ford 3

Quakertown 49, Upper Dublin 0

Radnor 48, Haverford High 3

Reading Central Catholic 20, Kutztown 6

Reading Holy Name 16, Hamburg 15

Red Land 17, Williamsport 7

Ridley 21, Marple Newtown 0

Salisbury 35, Palisades 0

Saucon Valley 33, Southern Lehigh 13

Schuylkill Haven 53, Mahanoy Area 7

Scranton Prep 39, Montrose 20

Selinsgrove 20, Montoursville 7

Shamokin 27, North Schuylkill 8

Shikellamy 27, Wyalusing 8

South Williamsport 12, Lewisburg 8

Southern Columbia 32, Central Columbia 13

St. John Neumann at Archbishop Wood, ppd.

St. Pius X 28, Upper Perkiomen 21, 2OT

Steelton-Highspire 64, James Buchanan 13

Strath Haven 49, Lower Merion 0

Sun Valley 40, Oxford 0

Susquehanna Township 33, Middletown 7

Susquenita 15, Waynesboro 6

Towanda 20, Shenandoah Valley 18

Trinity 42, Bermudian Springs 7

Unionville 22, Garnet Valley 14

Upper Merion 32, Hatboro-Horsham 20

Valley View 38, North Pocono 7

Wallenpaupack 22, West Scranton 19

Warwick 22, Elizabethtown 0

Washington 52, Olney 0

Wellsboro 32, Sayre 12

Whitehall 38, Liberty 12

Williams Valley 26, Millersburg 0

Wilson 21, Bangor 0

Wilson 35, Reading High 6

Wyoming Valley West 40, Tunkhannock 14

York Suburban 19, West York 0