Central Catholic Wins 2nd Title In 3 Years With Win Over Penn-Trafford

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, November 28, 2015 | 6:53 PM

Using an explosive running back and a defense to make big plays, The Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings claimed their fifth WPIAL championship with a 24-17 victory over the previously unbeaten Penn-Trafford Warriors in the WPIAL Quad-A Championship game at Heinz Field. The Vikings ground out 262 yards, with senior Ronnie Jones gaining 146 of those yards on the way to their tenth straight win.

The defense came up big as well, holding the Warriors, who had scored 559 points in their twelve wins, to just 232 offensive yards and 29 points below their season average.

The Vikings scored on the opening drive of the game, going 68 yards in 13 plays. Jones carried nine times on the march to the end zone, ending with a three yard run and the early lead. Pittsburgh Central Catholic had two touchdowns called back in the second quarter as a Jones 72 yard punt return was negated by a block in the back and a 70 yard screen pass to Jones was also brought back on an illegal man down field foul.

PCC also had an opportunity late in the half, driving to the Penn-Trafford 36. Facing a fourth and one situation with two minutes remaining, the Vikings lined up to go for the first down. A false start penalty set the Vikings back five yards and forced a punt. Troy Fisher’s punted was downed at the 2 yard line, the Warriors were able to run out the clock.

Penn-Trafford started the second half deep in their own territory. Quarterback Brett Laffoon tried to set up a screen pass, it was deflected by Timothy Terry into the hands of Pitt recruit Rashad Wheeler, who took it six yards untouched for a Pick 6 and a 14-0 lead 48 seconds into the third.

In most cases, the offensive unit is usually tentative after giving up a touchdown, but not the Warriors. Playing in only their second title game and first since 1997, Penn-Trafford drove 78 yards in nine plays on a Laffoon toss to Tim Vecchio for 33 yards and a pass interference call that set up Laffoon’s pass to Vecchio of 11 yards for the touchdown. On the next Warriors possession, Laffoon and Vecchio hooked up again for a 39 yard gain. A fask mask penalty later in the drive moved Penn-Trafford to the two yard line, Laffoon plunged in from a yard out to knot the game at 14. The Warriors tried another bomb on the next drive but Jones was on the spot on defense to break up the pass. Penn-Trafford racked 134 yards of offense in the third and the game was knotted with twelve minutes remaining.

Pittsburgh Central Catholic took back the lead on a Jones 72 yard run for his 20th touchdown of the season. It was time for the defense, known as the Chain Gang, to shine again for the Vikings, holding the offense to a three and out. PCC proceeded to eat up over six minutes off the clock, Jacob Rocchi converted a 24 yard field goal from inside the left hash to give the Vikings a double digit lead.

Penn-Trafford wasn’t done however, as Joey Peduzzi returned the kickoff past midfield. The Warriors moved quickly down the field on two passes to Jonah Lisbon to advance to the nine yard line. Penn-Trafford elected to take the field goal, Nick Tarabrella placed a 20 yard attempt between the pipes with 1:24 remaining in regulation.

The Warriors went for the onside kick, it did not go the required ten yards, the Vikings picked up a first down and their second WPIAL title in three years. 

Jones carried 20 times, he now has 1,405 yards on the year. The Vikings had 300 total yards, with the defense forcing three sacks. Linebacker David Adams led the way with eight stops. Pittsburgh Central Catholic, now 12-1, will face State College at a WPIAL site in the PIAA playoffs next week.
Penn-Trafford was led by Laffoon’s 147 yards passing on 10 of 21. Vecchio posted four catches for 87 yards. Lisbon ran 17 times for 72 yards. Brendan Kelly led the defense with 13 tackles, Chris Stanford followed closely with 12.

Scoring Summary:

Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings 7 – 0 –  7 –  10 = 24
Penn-Trafford Warriors   0 –  0 –  14 – 3 = 17

Scoring Summary:
First Quarter:
PCC:  Ronnie Jones 3 yard run (Jacob Rocchi kick) 7:11

Second Quarter:
No Scoring

Third Quarter:
PCC:  Rashad Wheeler 6 yard interception return (Rocchi kick) 11:17
PT:  Tim Vecchio 10 yard pass from Brett Laffon (Nick Tarabrella kick) 7:34
PT:  B. Lafoon 1 yard run (Tarabrella kick) 4:48

Fourth Quarter:
PCC:  Jones 72 yard run (Rocchi kick)  10:15
PCC:  Rocchi 24 yard FG 2:47
PT: Tarabrella 20 yard FG 1:24