WPIAL football championships
Pine-Richland, Central Catholic, Springdale, Aliquippa win titles PITTSBURGH (AP) – Four teams entered Saturday’s WPIAL football championships at Heinz Field with an unblemished record, but only one left with a victory.
The Class AAA title game featured a pair of unbeaten teams, with Pine-Richland recording a 21-7 win over Thomas Jefferson.
Upper St. Clair and Jeannette also fell from the ranks of the unbeaten. Upper St. Clair lost, 42-10, to Central Catholic in the Class AAAA final, while Jeannette dropped an 18-4 decision to Aliquippa in the Class AA title game.
In the other championship game, Springdale recorded a 30-13 win over Sto-Rox in Class A.
In the Class AAA final, Greg Hough ran for two touchdowns to lead Pine-Richland to its victory. The win gives Pine-Richland (13-0) its first WPIAL title since winning back-to-back Class AA titles in 1969-70. Thomas Jefferson (12-1) was making its first title appearance since 1980.
Hough, who hadn’t carried the ball since week five of the regular season due to elbow surgery, rushed for 121 yards on 9 carries. He scored Pine-Richland’s first touchdown on a 4-yard run in the second quarter, and capped the scoring with a 58-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Pine-Richland, a loser in last year’s title game, also scored on a 7-yard pass from Jake Long to Wes Smallwood in the third quarter.
Thomas Jefferson opened the scoring with a 4-yard run by Ryan Hicks in the second quarter, but didn’t score again. Jaguar quarterback Peter Winovich completed 6 of 20 passes for 103 yards, but was intercepted twice.
In the Class AAAA final, Eugene Jarvis scored five touchdowns to lead Central Catholic (12-1) to its win over Upper St. Clair (12-1). The victory gives Central Catholic its first WPIAL title after finishing second in 1988 and 2001. Upper St. Clair (12-1) was making its 11th appearance in the title game.
Jarvis opened the scoring with a 53-yard touchdown reception from Shane Murray, then returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown on Central Catholic’s next possession. Jarvis, who rushed for 101 yards on 12 carries, also scored on runs of 19 and 9 yards in the second quarter and 45 yards in the fourth quarter.
Central Catholic also scored on a 75-yard interception return by Pat Fitzgerald.
Upper St. Clair scored on a 24-yard field goal by Josh Whiteside and a 19-yard pass from Joe Halackna to Pat Shepard.
In the Class AA final, Dontae Patrick scored two touchdowns to lead Aliquippa to its win over previously unbeaten Jeannette. The win gives Aliquippa (12-1) its 12th WPIAL title and first since 2000. Jeannette (12-1) was making its fifth title appearance since 1981.
Jeannette opened the scoring with a pair of safeties in the first quarter. The first came when Mike Stewart tackled Gilliam in the end zone. Patrick was tackled in the end zone by Michael Dent on the second safety.
Aliquippa scored the only points it needed on a 54-yard pass from Sjvante Gilliam to Darrelle Revis early in the second quarter. The Quips capped the victory with touchdown runs of 1 and 3 yards by Patrick in the fourth quarter.
Aliquippa accumulated 252 yards in total offense, while limiting Jeannette to 87 yards. Gilliam completed 5 of 8 passes for 88 yards. Jeannette’s Jordan Thomas completed only 4 of 22 passes for 41 yards.
In the Class A final, Jon Molnar and Wayne Mundekis each scored two touchdowns to lead Springdale to its win over Sto-Rox. The win gives Springdale (10-3) its fourth WPIAL title, and first since 1973. Sto-Rox (11-2) was making its first appearance in the title game since 1987.
Molnar, who rushed for 76 yards on 15 carries, scored Springdale’s first two touchdowns on runs of 2 and 3 yards. He also threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Mundekis in the second quarter which gave Springdale a 21-7 halftime advantage.
Mundekis, who rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries, also ran 41 yards for a score early in the third quarter to increase the Dynamos lead to 27-7.
Sto-Rox was led by Adam DiMichele, who completed 15 of 30 passes for 257 yards and one touchdown. DiMichele connected with Malcolm Mott on an 11-yard touchdown pass to give the Vikings their first points.
All four winners qualify for the PIAA tournament and will play in the semifinals next weekend.
Sites and times will be announced by the PIAA Sunday.
Central Catholic will face State College (10-3), Pine-Richland will play Bradford (10-2), Aliquippa will face Slippery Rock (12-1), and Springdale will play Bishop Carroll (13-0).