Upper St. Clair advances after defensive struggle with Franklin Regional

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, November 3, 2017 | 11:03 PM

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In a defensive struggle that mirrored a heavyweight boxing match, it was Upper St. Clair that landed enough blows to walk away victorious.

The No. 4 Panthers held on for a 6-3 win over No. 5 Franklin Regional in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs Friday to extend their season at least one more game.

“I knew it was going to be a competitive game,” Upper St. Clair coach Jim Render said. “We have been in a lot of tough games, and this was another one.”

Upper St. Clair (8-3) advances to the WPIAL semifinals for the first time since 2013. The Panthers will play No. 1 Penn-Trafford with a time and site to be determined.

Upper St. Clair took the opening drive 66 yards into the Franklin Regional red zone, but the Panthers fumbled the ball on a carry up the middle, and Nate Leopold recovered for Franklin Regional inside the 10-yard line.

Franklin Regional’s defense came up big again on the next Upper St. Clair drive, forcing a turnover on downs on its own 24-yard line.

“That is how our defense has been all year,” Franklin Regional coach Greg Botta said. “To hold (Upper St. Clair) to six points, I don’t think many teams have done that all year.”

Franklin Regional’s offense couldn’t turn the defensive success into points. The Panthers had one first down and 21 yards in the first quarter.

Upper St. Clair took the lead midway through the second quarter. On a fourth-and-4, Jack Hansberry hit Chris Pantellis on a 16-yard catch and run to take a 6-0 lead. Leopold blocked the ensuing extra-point attempt.

Derry’s Justin Flack with a catch along the sideline vs. QV in the #WPIAL playoffs. Complete #TribHSSN coverage: https://t.co/DDK9LPuuoC pic.twitter.com/2joYlyS7Zc

— Trib HS Insider (@TribHSInsider) November 4, 2017

Tags: Franklin Regional, Upper St. Clair