GAME OF THE WEEK: Turnovers costly in Frazier’s 46-19 setback to Brentwood
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Frazier’s Josh Cox (10) leaps to catch a pass as Brentwood’s Evan Vickless falls to the ground during the Commodores’ WPIAL Class AA first-round playoff game. The Commodores lost to the Spartans, 46-19, to the Spartans, at Herb E. Troy Memorial Field in Brentwood.
Frazier's George Smalich spins into the end zone for a touchdown, breaking out of a tackle by Brentwood defensive back Austin Veatch. The Commodores lost, 46-19, to the Spartans Friday night, ending their WPIAL playoff run.
Frazier's defense closes in on Brentwood's Evan Vickless (34) as he chases a fumble. Vickless recovered, and the Spartans downed the Commodores, 46-19, on Friday in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs at Brentwood's Herb E. Troy Memorial Field.
Frazier's Josh Cox (10) comes down after catching a pass as Brentwood's Evan Vickless prepares for a tackle. The Commodores ended their WPIAL playoff run Friday night in Brentwood, losing, 46-19, to the Spartans.
Frazier senior Damon Lovis (14) carries the ball past Brentwood defenders Brendan Donnelly (2) and Ricky Gralish in the Commodores' 46-19 loss to the Spartans on Friday night.
Frazier running back George Smalich attempts a pass to quarterback Chris Pierce during Friday's WPIAL Class AA first round playoff game at Brentwood. The Commodores lost, 46-19, to see their season come to an end at 5-6.
BRENTWOOD — Two interception returns for a touchdown and a fumble that resulted in a score proved to be too much for Frazier to overcome in the Commodores’ 46-19 setback to Brentwood on Friday in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA football playoffs at Brentwood’s Herb E. Troy Memorial Field.
The Commodores’ season came to an end at 5-6, while the Spartans (8-2) play No. 2 seed Washington (10-0) in the quarterfinals next Friday at a site and time to be determined.
“It was definitely tougher competition this season and every game seemed like a playoff game, and I’m proud of our kids for playing good, hard football against good teams,” Frazier coach Mike Steeber said. “It is really tough to overcome those turnovers, but nobody feels good about losses. You got out there and try to win every game.
“What I can be most proud of, especially with the senior group, when they came in as freshmen, the expectation was we’re going to try and make a playoff game. And by the time these seniors left, they had a conference championship and playoff wins under their belt, and they came with an expectation to win tonight, and that was a milestone they created and they set the bar high for Frazier.”
Frazier received the ball to open the contest after Brentwood deferred to the second half and the Spartans’ Austin Veatch intercepted Chris Pierce and took the ball into the end zone for a 55-yard return and a 7-0 lead at 10:54 of the first quarter after the first of four PATs by Michael Folino.
Brentwood regained possession quickly after the Commodores fumbled on the Spartans’ 47 at 10:09 of the first. Brentwood’s Giovanni Segura pounced on the fumble.
The Spartans used a 10-play drive to cover 53 yards and scored when Dorian Bowie reached the end zone on a one-yard run at 5:04 of the first and a 14-0 lead for the home team.
Bowie, a senior who is being recruited by several Division II colleges, is listed as a wide receiver and defensive back for Brentwood, but he lined up at quarterback on Friday for several series out of a wildcat formation and gained a game-high 95 yards rushing on 13 carries and a touchdown.
The Spartans’ Michael Trent also saw time at quarterback and used his legs by scrambling out of trouble to gain 45 yards on six carries.
“They are very talented, and it’s not just Dorian (Bowie),” Steeber said. “They did a nice job tonight and made some plays.”
The Commodores scored on the next possession when Pierce scored from one-yard out to cap a nine-play, 72-yard drive that took 4:44 off the clock, and Frazier trailed 14-7 after Josh Cox’s PAT.
Pierce and Cox hooked up for a 26-yard pass play on third-and-seven at their own 31 to extend the drive and Brennan Raygor rumbled for 27 yards to set up Pierce’s score.
Pierce was 13 of 22 for 120 yards with two interceptions. Cox had four receptions for 58 yards and Raygor had 63 yards on 11 carries.
“The effort has been good all year from our guys,” Steeber said. “I thought they got the better end of it tonight with turnovers and big plays.”
Bowie showed he can also throw the ball when needed, as he found Veatch for a 25-yard touchdown on his only pass of the game and a 21-7 Brentwood lead at 4:25 of the second on a fourth-and-three. Bowie took the snap out of the shotgun and rolled to his left before finding Veatch in the end zone.
Frazier moved the ball on its next possession as Cox pulled in passes of 16 and six yards to move the ball inside Spartans’ territory to their 45 but Raygor was stopped short on a fourth-down play and Brentwood took over on downs with 44 seconds remaining in the first half.
Bowie took off for 48 yards on the first play of the drive and Veatch pulled in his second touchdown pass, this time from Trent, for a 28-7 lead at :13.6 of the second quarter.
The Spartans received the second-half kickoff, and fumbled the ball on the first play from scrimmage in the half, but recovered. Brentwood took advantage of its good fortune, and marched the ball 75 yards in nine plays and increased its lead to 34-7 lead at 6:31 of the third when Jacob Thomas pulled in a 27-yard touchdown reception from Trent. The drive took 5:29 off the clock.
Frazier had a three-and-out on its next possession but came through with a sack to force a Brentwood punt.
The Commodores’ special teams came through when the punt by Trent was blocked and Dalton Kmetz recovered the ball in the end zone for a Frazier touchdown and a 34-13 Spartans lead at 2:31 of the third.
The momentum didn’t translate for the Commodores as Veatch pulled in his third touchdown reception and fourth overall on a 40-yard throw from Trent at 11:51 of the fourth for a 40-13 Brentwood lead.
Trent was 5 of 6 for 107 yards and three touchdowns. Veatch had three receptions for 70 yards, as all of his catches went into the end zone.
Earl Simmons intercepted Pierce for a 40-yard return and the score at 11:05 of the fourth to give Brentwood a 46-13 advantage.
George Smalich scored the final touchdown of the season for Frazier when he ran into the end zone from eight yards out with 8:02 remaining and the Spartans’ lead was cut to 46-19.
Brentwood outgained Frazier, 340-216, in total yards. The Commodores had three fumbles, losing one, while the Spartans had two fumbles, and didn’t lose any. Brentwood was penalized eight times for 65 yards while Frazier was flagged three times for 30 yards.
Brentwood knows it has a tough test in the quarterfinals against the undefeated Little Prexies, who defeated the Commodores, 45-7, on Sept. 23 in Week 4.
“We are glad to play another game,” Brentwood coach Kevin Kissel said. “Washington is a No. 2 seed so we know they are a good team.
“I thought our guys played well tonight against a good football team that was in the semifinals last year. We have a special player in Dorian (Bowie) and I thought Austin (Veatch) played a hell of a game. They applied more pressure on us than I would have liked but our guys did a good job of making plays.”
WPIAL Class AA Playoffs
First Round
Frazier 7 0 6 6 — 19
Brentwood 14 14 6 12 — 46
First Quarter
B: Austin Veatch 55 interception return (Michael Folino kick), 10:54
B: Dorian Bowie 1 run (Folino kick), 5:04
F: Chris Pierce 1 run (Josh Cox kick), :20.9
Second Quarter
B: Veatch 25 pass from Bowie (Folino kick), 4:25
B: Veatch 5 pass from Michael Trent (Folino kick), :13.6
Third Quarter
B: Jacob Thomas 27 pass from Trent (pass failed), 6:31
F: Dalton Kmetz recovered blocked punt in end zone (pass failed), 2:31
Fourth Quarter
B: Veatch 40 pass from Trent (kick failed), 11:51
B: Earl Simmons 40 interception return (pass failed), 11:05
F: George Smalich 8 run (pass failed), 8:02
Records: Brentwood (8-2), Frazier (5-6)