Sep 9, 2006 By Josh Yohe For The 4 min read

CLAIRTON – Clairton’s junior running back Zaire Washington, who was expected to produce huge numbers for the Bears, made only a brief appearance against Carmichaels in Friday’s non-conference matchup at Neil C. Brown Stadium. Unfortunately for Car-michaels, Clairton possesses an arsenal of talent few other WPIAL Class A teams can match. The injured Washington was replaced by Leroy George in the backfield, and he combined with quarterback Troy Webb to lead the Bears to a convincing 52-18 victory.

“They have the best athletes of anyone in Class A,” Carmichaels coach Mike Bosnic said. “I have to give them a lot of credit. Their talent is just very tough to deal with.”

Bosnic also had a difficult time dealing with what happened after the game as well. Clairton sophomore lineman David Spence punched a player as time expired and was ejected from the game.

Spence will not be permitted to play week in Clairton’s showdown against Apollo-Ridge.

“I hate seeing something like that,” Bosnic said.

The Carmichaels and Clairton coaching staffs nearly came to blows during the post-game handshake and had to be separated by the officials.

“That was a classless thing that happened,” Bosnic said.

Spence ordinarily would not have been in a blowout so late, but the Clairton coaching staff maintained he was still playing because Carmichaels’ starters were still in the contest and were physically overwhelming Clairton’s young backups.

The game was filled with penalties. Clairton was flagged eight times for 80 yards while the Mikes were called for 11 penalties worth 110 yards. Carmichaels’ penalties were more damaging, as the Mikes had three touchdowns called back by infractions.

“That was obviously tough to deal with,” Bosnic said. “Some of the calls I definitely didn’t agree with, but I’m not complaining. We just need to play better.”

Jeremy Ganocy, who finished with three catches for 107 yards and a touchdown, had a 60-yard score called back on an offensive pass interference call. Even if the penalties had not taken away Carmichaels scores, it was apparent early in the contest that Clairton’s offense would score at will.

George, filling in for Washington, rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

“Leroy did a good job tonight,” Clairton coach Tom Nola said. “It’s nice to have him because he can play different positions. This is the second week in a row he has played there and he did well.”

Washington has endured an ankle injury over the past two weeks but should be at full strength next week.

The Clairton passing game, rarely a strength in past seasons, has quickly evolved into a weapon. Webb, the rifle-armed sophomore quarterback, enjoyed an outstanding evening. He completed five of six passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns.

The only incomplete pass on Webb’s evening should have been a touchdown but was dropped by Kenny Chapman in the end zone. Chapman, however, redeemed himself b catching touchdown strikes of 24 and 48 yards in the second half.

“I was extremely impressed with that kid,” Bosnic said. “He’s got a really strong arm and looks comfortable back there. He played a very good game.”

Webb put an exclamation point on his evening by hitting Kevin Weatherspoon for a 75-yard score in the fourth quarter. Falling backward when releasing the ball, Webb had just enough mustard on his throw to reach the freshman for the score.

Clairton freshman Deontae Howard added 84 yards rushing and a touchdown on six carries.

Carmichaels quarterback Joby Lapkowicz put up nice statistics while taking a beating. He was sacked seven times by the ferocious Clairton pass rush but did manage to complete 10 of 20 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown. He had touchdown passes of 60 and 12 yards called by because of penalties.

“He’s a good player and he’s going to get better,” Bosnic said. “But we just weren’t good enough to beat them tonight.”

Nola’s Bears started 0-3 this season and, with big expectations in 2006, he is pleased to see his team has started noticeably better. Washington’s ankle is improved enough that he played the entire game on defense and received two carries, taking one for a 30-yard touchdown.

The Bears played without star wideout/cornerback Deon Pompey, who is expected back next week.

Marcel Washington and Jeff Thompson led the way for Clairton’s defense, producing two sacks each. Carmichaels only ran for 17 yards.

“We did a great job stopping their running game and overall I’m happy with the game,” Nola said. “We certainly are starting this season better than last season.”