High school football roundup for Oct. 19, 2024: Clairton scores 84; Bishop Canevin wins Class A showdown with Monessen

By: Adam Brewer
Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 10:13 PM

Clairton continued its historic 2024 season with a 84-0 victory over Riverview in Class A Eastern Conference action Saturday at Thomas Jefferson.

Junior quarterback Jeff Thompson threw for four touchdowns and 176 yards for the Bears (9-0, 6-0) and used all of his weaponry as they were gifted several short fields by their defense in the first half.

“Our defense has a habit this season of taking over a game early on and leaving no doubt,” Clairton coach Wayne Wade said. “We say all week in practice, if the scout team can give us a good look on both sides of the ball than we will be better prepared for the game that week.”

Clairton racked up 48 points in the opening 12 minutes and then added four more scores in the second quarter to bring the halftime score to 76-0. The running clock was in effect in the second half, as both quarters were shortened to eight minutes.

The Raiders (3-5, 2-4) were limited to 42 yards and only picked up two first downs. Riverview was averaging 29.4 points per game this fall but had no answer for the tenacious Clairton defense.

The Bears forced eight turnovers (six fumbles, two interceptions).

“Our defense got us going and our offense had a lot of short fields,” Wade said. “Sometimes these games can get out of hand when our defense starts to score. So I was kind of happy that our offense got to take the field and got some plays under our belt.”

There been a lot of comparisons to this year’s defense to the state champion 2010 squad.

In 2010, Clairton allowed 64 points (19 in the regular season) with 10 shutouts (six in the regular season). So far in 2024, the Bears have only allowed 14 points with seven shutouts.

When asked if Wade were an offensive coordinator how he would attack the Bears defense, he had a smile on his face and started out with a laugh.

“That’s a very difficult question,” Wade said. “Because we have speed everywhere. The D-line is strong and they can play with the best of them in Class A. And then our speed in the back seven is just unmatched. About four or five of those guys can run a 4.6 (40-yard dash time) or better.”

Drahcir Jones and Taris Wooding each scored three touchdowns for the Bears.

Bishop Canevin 56, Monessen 20 – Myontae Mott ran for 92 yards and two touchdowns and also scored on an 80-yard kickoff return to lead Bishop Canevin past Monessen in a matchup of top Class A teams in the Black Hills Conference. Kole Olszewski threw for 155 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score for the Crusaders (6-2, 4-1). Lamier Wade scored on a fumble recovery and Minkion Johnson recorded a safety on a sack. TyVaughn Kershaw ran for touchdowns of 12 and 39 yards for the Greyhounds (7-2, 3-2).

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Clairton, Monessen, Riverview