Penn Hills gets key win for playoff fortunes, defeating rival Plum

By: Josh Rizzo
Friday, October 25, 2024 | 10:00 PM

Jay’mere Ellis didn’t want to worry about tiebreakers, Gardner Points or for the committee to decide the Class 5A wild cards. The Penn Hills senior quarterback wanted to seal up second place in the Northeast Conference in tidy fashion to make a case for the best seed possible for the WPIAL playoffs.

Ellis found Carter Bonner with a third-and-8 pass that turned into a 59-yard touchdown late in the first quarter to help spark the Indians to a 38-7 win over Plum.

Penn Hills improved its record to 34-5 all-time against the Mustangs. A loss against Plum could have forced a three-way tie for second place and left Penn Hills on the outside looking in. Having that on his mind allowed the Indians quarterback to be focused on the task at hand.

“On top of that, it was senior night,” Ellis said. “We had to come out and play. We knew we had a chip on our shoulder. We came out and played as a family.”

Penn Hills (6-4, 4-1) took advantage of every opportunity Plum gave it. Marcus Dorsey fell on a fumble at the Plum 13 to set up the Indians’ second score, a 2-yard run by Martel Palmer. Ellis also recovered a fumble at the Plum 39 to set up Naytel Mitchell’s 5-yard touchdown run to stretch Penn Hills’ lead to 21-0 at the half.

Ellis finished 10 of 15 passing for 167 yards with two touchdowns.

“Jay’mere has been consistent,” Indians coach Charles Morris said. “He’s a leader. He’s patient and knows our offense.”

Ellis’ success in the passing game helped open things up for the Indians. Plum was focused on Mitchell. The Mustangs did manage to mitigate his typical output but couldn’t keep him out of the end zone.

Mitchell scored three times — twice on the ground and once in the air — finishing with 54 yards on 12 carries to go over 1,000 rushing yards on the season.

The Mustangs (2-8, 2-3) couldn’t find the right mix to move the ball. Plum’s longest play on offense came once the game was well decided.

Running back Nicholas Odom scored on a 63-yard run with two minutes remaining. The Mustangs were limited to 34 yards rushing.

“They did an excellent job up front,” Mustangs coach Matt Morgan said. “Their defensive line played well tonight. Especially (Donovan Burnett). He was in the backfield every play.”

But the Mustangs’ opening drive had some promise.

Darian Nelson, who played quarterback and wide receiver, completed an 18-yard pass to Anthony Futules. That drive stalled at midfield, and Plum was forced to punt.

The Mustangs mixed things up throughout the game, trying a few trick plays, but Penn Hills was on top of everything.

“I’m familiar with that coaching staff,” Morris said. “We prepared for all the trick plays and different formations. I knew that was coming. We knew we were going to see a lot of wrinkles. We know their offensive coordinator is creative. I came with the coaching staff, and I am familiar with those guys.”

Penn Hills, which started the season 0-3, is now on track for a solid seed. Ellis is excited to show what the Indians can do in the postseason.

“People keep sleeping on us,” Ellis said. “I hope people keep sleeping on us. It’s going to be a rude awakening. We are going to wake them up soon.”

Tags: Penn Hills, Plum