Clairton takes to air, routs Greensburg Central Catholic

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, September 12, 2025 | 10:43 PM

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Apparently, Clairton used an unwanted bye week to work on its passing game — a passing game that was nearly flawless in the team’s return to action.

Still miffed over a postponement last week after Shady Side Academy called off their matchup because of multiple alleged injuries, the Bears took out their frustration on Greensburg Central Catholic for a 43-0 win in the Class A Eastern Conference opener.

The passing attack, led by accurate quarterback Jeff Thompson, was on point. It was crisp and efficient, accurate and lethal. And it pared with a fast-pursuing defense.

The Bears, No. 5 in the state, were an eager team and it showed.

“We couldn’t wait to get back out there,” said Thompson, who completed 22 of 27 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns and ran for score as the No. 2-ranked Bears smothered GCC on Friday night at Centurion Stadium.

Clairton had seven possessions and scored on all of them.

Thompson honed in on three targets and spread the wealth.

Brandon Murphy had seven receptions for 121 yards, Taris Wooding caught five for 91 and Donte Wright had six grabs for 77 and three touchdowns.

Deon Lovelace-Pomphey also ran for two scores.

“(The passing game) is a bright spot for us. I have a lot of playmakers, and I know what they can do when I get them the ball,” Thompson said. “We are getting better, but we haven’t peaked yet.”

Clairton (2-1, 1-0), which held GCC to negative-1 yard last year in a 47-0 win, racked up 380 yards of offense this time to 29 for GCC (2-2, 0-1), allowing minus-30 yards rushing.

GCC first-year quarterback Bobby Smithnosky was sacked four times and intercepted once, by Jaece Booker.

The first score of the second half put the mercy rule into effect.

“We weren’t as sharp as we’ve been (at the start),” Bears coach Wayne Wade said. “But we looked better in the passing game, and we blocked up front. GCC is a good football team. We’re a really good football team.”

In back-to-back games, the Bears have outscored Serra Catholic and GCC, 122-0.

Centurions standout Samir Crosby was limited to two receptions for 34 yards — he had a highlight grab against two defenders — and 3 yards rushing.

“We were in position to make plays, we just didn’t make them,” GCC coach JT Thompson said. “That is a great football team we played, but a lot of it was on us. They beat us up front. It takes all 11.”

With four- and five-wide sets working from their spread offense, Clairton took a 30-0 lead into the break after an efficient first half.

Thompson completed his first 11 passes — he was 7 for 7 two weeks ago against Serra Catholic — and threw for 185 yards and two scores, both to Wright, before halftime.

Wright had a 24-yard TD grab, and Lovelace-Pomphey caught a 17-yard score before touchdown runs of 4 and 12 yards.

Thompson is healthy again after injuring his elbow last season in the first round of the playoffs. The Bears reached the WPIAL final and lost to Fort Cherry, 21-20.

The Bears, known for producing sound running backs, are taking on the look of a passing team.

“That kind of started last year, but Jeff was limited (passing wise) in the playoffs,” Wade said. “Having him back, we can do a lot of things. We have a lot of weapons. We build in those RPOs and have skill in space, so you better have numbers (to stop it).”

In the second half, Wright pulled in a 19-yard scoring catch on a shovel pass, and Thompson scored from the 1.

Michael Ruffin rushed for 71 yards to lead the Bears. Lovelace-Pomphey added 44 yards on 11 carries.

The shutout was the Bears’ 12th in their last 15 games.

“We’re used to it by now,” Thompson said.

GCC was limited to 36 yards and one first down in the first half.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Clairton, Greensburg C.C.