One-two punch: Petrucci, Layhue star as California streamrolls Jeannette, 44-7
Lori C. Padilla
California’s Jake Layhue (1) and Spencer Petrucci (20) provided a potent one-two punch against Jeannette during Friday night’s WPIAL playoff game at Trojan Stadium. Petrucci scored four touchdowns, including a 64-yard kickoff return, and recorded a sack and Layhue added two touchdowns, two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the Trojans’ 44-6 win. The two also combined to rush for 334 yards.
Lori C. Padilla
California’s Spencer Petrucci (20) spins away from Jeannette’s Noah Sanders to score one of his four touchdowns during Friday night’s WPIAL playoff game at Trojan Stadium. Petrucci rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns and added a 64-yard kickoff return for a score in the Trojans’ 44-6 victory.
Lori C. Padilla
California’s Fred Sherman (36) tackles Jeannette’s Jayce Powell during Friday night’s WPIAL playoff game at Trojan Stadium.
California's Jake Layhue (1) is upended by Jeannette's Payton Molter after making one of his two interceptions during Friday night's WPIAL playoff game at Trojan Stadium. Layhue also recovered a fumble and ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the Trojans' 44-6 win.
California coach Ed Woods shouts instructions to his players during Friday night's WPIAL playoff game against Jeannette at Trojan Stadium.
California's Lee Qualk (4) returns a punt against Jeannette during Friday night's WPIAL playoff game at Trojan Stadium.
California's Jake Layhue (1) runs the ball against Jeannette during Friday night's WPIAL playoff game against at Trojan Stadium. Layhue rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the Trojans' 44-6 win.
California's Spencer Petrucci brings down Jeannette's Kymon'E Brown (7) during Friday night's WPIAL playoff game at Trojan Stadium.
California coach Ed Woods talks with his players after Friday night's 44-6 WPIAL playoff win over Jeannette at Trojan Stadium.
Lori C. Padilla
California’s Jake Layhue tries to slip past a couple Jeannette defenders during Friday night’s WPIAL playoff game at Trojan Stadium. Layhue rushed for 145 yards, two touchdowns and three 2-point conversions in the Trojans’ 44-6 victory.
California's Spencer Petrucci (20) pops through an opening provided by his offensive line during Friday night's WPIAL playoff game against Jeannette at Trojan Stadium. Petrucci rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns and added a 64-yard kickoff return for a score in the Trojans' 44-6 victory.
California coach Ed Woods (left) gets input from assistant coach Jason House during Friday night's WPIAL playoff game against Jeannette at Trojan Stadium.
COAL CENTER — California’s one-two punch of Jake Layhue and Spencer Petrucci dominated the Tri-County South Conference during the football regular season.
The opening round of the WPIAL playoffs proved to be no different.
Petrcucci rushed for 189 yards and scored four touchdowns, including a 64-yard kickoff return, and Layhue ran for 145 yards and two TDs while also scoring a trio of 2-point conversions as the sixth-seeded Trojans steamrolled the 11th-seeded Jayhawks, 44-6, at Trojan Stadium.
The pair also flexed their muscles on defense, highlighted by two interceptions and a fumble recovery by Layhue and a sack by Petrucci.
California advances to this Friday’s Class 1A quarterfinals where it will face No. 3 Bishop Canevin at Norwin High School with a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Crusaders defeated No. 14 Leechburg, 49-6.
It was the Trojans’ first postseason win since 2017 when they reached the district semifinals.
“It feels good to get a playoff win,” fifth-year coach Ed Woods said. “That’s the goal, to win in the playoffs.”
California dominated from the opening kickoff.
The Trojans’ first five drives ended with four touchdowns and one missed field goal. The Jayhawks five first-half possessions resulted in three punts, a lost fumble and an interception.
“You have to give credit to the coaches,” said Petrucci, who entered the game with over 1,300 rushing yards. “They had us very prepared.”
Layhue agreed.
“Preparation and execution,” Layhue said. “Since Saturday when we found out we were playing Jeannette we locked in, got on the film right away and had a great week of practice. We were really prepared.
“As soon as we got here and started getting ready we were all focused. It was all quiet.”
There wasn’t much silence once the game began, however, as the large crowd of California fans on hand roared its approval for the home team.
“I think playing at home in front of our fans really helped us get locked into the game right away,” Layhue said.
The Trojans marched 64 yards in eight plays on their opening possession with Layhue’s 6-yard touchdown run making it 6-0.
California drove to the Jeannette 12 on its second possession but Christian Ross missed wide right on a 29-yard field goal attempt.
Undeterred, the Trojans came right back, taking advantage of a short punt that gave them ball at the Jayhawks 35. Petrucci covered that with runs of 32 and 3 yards to push the lead up to 12-0.
After two straight punts, Jeannette’s third drive ended when Layhue stripped the ball from quarterback Payton Molter after a 19-yard run and recovered the fumble at the Jayhawk 48 with 8:41 left in the second quarter.
Three plays later Petrucci broke loose for a 44-yard touchdown run and Layhue’s 2-point conversion put California ahead 20-0.
After another Jeannette punt, California went on a seven-play, 77-yard touchdown drive that included runs of 34 and 14 yards by Layhue and 14, 14 and 10 yards by Petrucci with the final burst accounting for the score. Layhue again ran in the 2-point conversion for a 28-0 advantage.
The Jayhawks threatened to score just before halftime when Molter lofted a deep pass to Jayce Powell for a 76-yard gain to the California 14. Jeannette’s thoughts of shifting the momentum heading into the locker rooms were wiped out two plays later with Layhue’s interception at the 5-yard line.
“The big play before that was my fault. I bit on a double move,” Layhue said. “I had to make sure I made up for that.”
The Jayhawks opened the second half with a six-play, 71-yard drive capped by Molter’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Noah Sanders to pull within 28-6.
This time is was Petrucci’s turn to quickly swing the tide back the Trojans way.
The senior gathered in a short kickoff at the California 36 and burst down the left sideline 64 yards for a touchdown that all but ended any hopes Jeannette had of making a comeback.
“It’s always about the next play,” Petrucci said of his team’s ability to swiftly recover from adversity. “Jake’s pick after that long pass. My kick return after they scored. Mistakes happen. The next play is the most important one.”
Lee Qualk ran in the 2-point conversion to give the Trojans a 36-6 advantage.
California’s final TD was set up by Layhue’s second interception of the game and eighth of the season. The Trojans followed that with a 59-yard drive that featured a 28-yard run by Layhue and ended with his second touchdown from 7 yards out with 1:56 left in the third quarter to kick in the mercy rule. His third 2-point run set the final score.
The Trojans didn’t attempt a pass while rushing for 351 yards, all by Petrucci and Layhue except for a 17-yard run by Zack Geletei.
Layhue and Petrucci have no problem sharing the limelight, according to Woods.
“They’re very unselfish,” Woods said. “They don’t care who scores the touchdowns or the two-point plays or who’s making the sacks. They’re playing for each other and the team.”
California’s defense limited Jeannette to 44 yards on the ground in 20 attempts and recorded three sacks, one each by Fred Sherman, Malachi Peak and Petrucci.
“Our offensive line did an insane job of blocking,” Petrucci said. “And our D-line just tore it up.”
With their running attack shut down, the Jayhawks went to the air and threw for 203 yards. Molter completed 8 of 14 passes for 149 yards and a TD but was picked off twice. Brown completed 4 of 9 throws for 54 yards and Markus McGowan misfired on his lone pass. Sanders had six receptions for 105 yards.
It was career coaching victory No. 151 for Woods, but he downplayed his win total.
“I’m not thinking about any personal goals right now,” Woods said. “I’ve got to go home tonight and start looking at Bishop Canevin and start to prepare for them.”