Bishop Canevin turns to run game to put away pesky Greensburg Central Catholic

By: Brennan Valladares
Friday, October 31, 2025 | 11:08 PM

Bishop Canevin came into the Class A playoffs seeded third, coming off a run to the WPIAL semifinals last year. But entering the fourth quarter of its playoff opener against Greensburg Central Catholic on Friday night, the Crusaders trailed by a point.

They didn’t panic, though. They lined up at the Centurions’ 40-yard line to start the fourth and trusted what had been working all game: the run game.

Running back Myontae Mott ran for 182 yards as a crucial touchdown as the Crusaders (8-3) went on to defeat No. 14 Greensburg Central Catholic, 50-35, to advance to the quarterfinals for the second straight season.

“We were controlling the game,” coach Rod Steele said. “We were going up and down the field, you know. … But I told our kids, ‘Hey, calm down, keep your composure. We’re a better football team. You’ve got to trust what we’re doing.’”

After its first two plays of the fourth quarter resulted in no gain, Bishop Canevin turned to Mott, who had accrued nearly 600 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season. He took his first touch of the quarter and broke out a 17-yard run. On his next attempt, he shed multiple tacklers and ran in for the game-separating 23-yard touchdown.

Quarterback Damar Olds then faked the extra point and dashed in, giving Bishop Canevin a 36-29 lead it did not relinquish.

In total, Bishop Canevin (8-3) amassed 310 yards on the ground and five touchdowns.

“I was just seeing dominance from the offensive line,” Mott said of his game-sealing touchdown. “(We) ran the ball well – could’ve done it the whole game.”

The Crusaders tied the game at 22 four minutes into the third quarter. Olds tallied his second rushing touchdown of the evening after leading a nine-play drive that went 50 yards.

Greensburg Central Catholic (5-6) responded two minutes later, though, with quarterback Samir Crosby rushing in his fourth touchdown of the night. He finished the night with 15 rush attempts for 136 yards, while also completing 9 of his 19 pass attempts for 125 yards.

Trailing 29-22, Olds launched a 69-yard touchdown pass to Justin Melvin, bringing the Crusaders within one point. It was Melvin’s second touchdown catch. He finished with 141 yards on four receptions.

Bishop Canevin’s defense forced a three-and-out on the next Greensburg Central Catholic possession, setting up Mott’s touchdown to take the lead.

“I just think that the maturity of the team and the composure that they showed in the second half was the difference in the game,” Steel said.

Bishop Canevin took a 13-7 lead in the second quarter after Olds threw a 66-yard touchdown pass to Melvin. The Crusaders faked the extra point, and Olds rushed in for a 15-7 lead.

After forcing a Centurions three-and-out, Olds threw an interception, setting up Greensburg Central Catholic at the 37-yard line. Crosby scored his second touchdown of the night on a 7-yard run, and after the extra point, the Centurions trailed 15-14 with 6:07 left in the half.

Olds led the Crusaders into scoring territory, but a mishandled snap gave Greensburg Central Catholic the ball back a little over three minutes before halftime. After two costly penalties going against Bishop Canevin, Crosby ran in an 8-yard touchdown for the 20-15 lead. He followed that up with a two-point run to give the Centurions a 22-15 lead at the half.

The Crusaders will prepare to face No. 11 Frazier in the quarterfinals. The Commodores upset No. 6 California in their playoff opener.

“This week … we’ve got to be locked in and focus on the details,” Steel said. “Understand our opponent, understand how they want to attack us and how they want to defend us. And then also, you know, come out and execute our game plan as far as how we want to attack and defend them.

“But you know, we’re going to enjoy this win tonight. … We’re going to look at it tomorrow, and then we’re going to get ready to go. And that’s the way it’s got to be. It’s one day at a time, one game at a time. We’re don’t ever underestimate any of our opponents because they’re putting helmet, shoulder pads on, just like we do. And you know, we’re going to prepare, and then we’re going to get locked in and ready to go take on another quality opponent.”

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Greensburg C.C.