Interception in end zone clinches high-scoring PIAA semifinal win for Central Catholic
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Saturday, November 30, 2024 | 5:25 PM
Central Catholic’s Chrys Black (1) celebrates with Bradley Gompers after intercepting a pass in the end zone to seal the victory against Harrisburg during their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Central Catholic’s Maxmillian Roman scores against Harrisburg during their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Central Catholic’s Xxavier Thomas (2) celebrates with Elijah Faulkner after scoring against Harrisburg during their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Central Catholic quarterback Jy’Aire Walls carries past Harrisburg defenders during their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Central Catholic quarterback Jy’Aire Walls celebrates after defeating Harrisburg in their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Central Catholic’s Elijah Faulkner carries for a long touchdown against Harrisburg during their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Central Catholic’s Elijah Faulkner celebrates after scoring against Harrisburg during their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Central Catholic’s Elijah Faulkner celebrates with Xxavier Thomas after scoring against Harrisburg during their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Central Catholic’s Seamus Mahon celebrates after Chrys Black intercepted a pass in the end zone to seal the victory against Harrisburg during their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Central Catholic’s Xxavier Thomas celebrates after defeating Harrisburg in their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Mansion Park in Altoona.
ALTOONA – Central Catholic freshman Chrys Black Jr. made a game-saving interception in the end zone with 26 seconds left Saturday to defeat Harrisburg, 38-33, in a PIAA Class 6A semifinal at Mansion Park Stadium.
In a game heavy on offense, a battered Vikings defense delivered the decisive play.
District 3 champion Harrisburg (11-3) was trying to drive 89 yards for a winning touchdown in the final four minutes. The Cougars already had five touchdown drives measuring 80 yards or more, and they needed just six plays to reach the Vikings’ 17 this time.
But once there they got no closer.
On second-and-1, Central Catholic’s Cole Bayer sacked Harrisburg quarterback Jaiyon Lewis for a 2-yard loss, and Lewis threw incomplete on third down.
Facing a fourth-and-3, Lewis threw to the end zone, where Black was waiting for the interception.
“We just stayed calm,” Black said. “We don’t let the score dictate how we play.”
Central Catholic never trailed and had leads of 13-0, 21-7 and 38-21. But Harrisburg didn’t go away. A 30-yard touchdown pass by Lewis to receiver Elias Coke with 6:37 left narrowed the Vikings lead to five.
“I’d expected it to be a ball game,” Black said. “I’d seen it coming. So, I was ready.”
The victory takes Central Catholic (12-2) to the state finals for the seventh time. Two-time defending champion St. Joseph’s Prep awaits at 7 p.m. Saturday at Cumberland Valley.
Central Catholic last reached the PIAA finals in 2016, losing to St. Joseph’s Prep.
“It’s an awesome opportunity,” Central Catholic coach Ryan Lehmeier said. “If you’re around PIAA football and you don’t live under a rock, you know who they are. … We’re really looking forward to the opportunity to get to play them.”
Central Catholic quarterback Jy’Aire Walls rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two. The senior connected with Max Roman on a 25-yard touchdown pass and threw a 23-yarder to Xxavier Thomas.
Elijah Faulkner rushed for a 42-yard touchdown, and Walls scored on runs of 12 and 1 yard.
Central Catholic’s final points came on a 36-yard field goal by Billy Lech to lead 38-21 with 4:20 left in the third. But that 17-point lead never felt comfortable.
Lewis led Harrisburg on an 80-yard scoring drive late in the third and an 84-yarder in the fourth. He ended one with a 62-yard touchdown to Quincy Brannon and threw a 30-yarder to Coker on the other.
The junior was a dual-threat quarterback and led the Cougars on five long scoring drives. They had three 80-yard drives in the second quarter that all ended in rushing touchdowns.
Field position favored Central Catholic greatly.
The Vikings scored their touchdowns on drives covering 42, 34, 28, 27 and 23 yards. The team’s field goal drive started at Harrisburg’s 46.
“The biggest thing that hurt us was special teams,” Harrisburg coach Calvin Everett said. “They had great field position throughout the duration of the game. That really hurt us.”
Harrisburg started its final drive at its own 11 after a punt by Lech.
This story will be updated.
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
Tags: Central Catholic
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