Pine-Richland Falls In A Wild Finish in State Quad-A Title Game

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 13, 2014 | 10:37 PM

In 2003, the Pine-Richland Rams played what has been called the most memorable game in PIAA Championship history, falling to Manheim Central 39-38 in overtime in blizzard conditions. The 2014 Quad A championship game may also go down in the books as one of the best ever, as the Rams rallied from a 21-point, fourth quarter deficit and had a chance to claim the title, before falling to St. Joseph’s Prep 49-41 at Hersheypark Stadium. The Hawks claimed their second consecutive championship with the victory.

Pine-Richland scored with 2:15 left in regulation when D’Andre Gastion scored his second touchdown of the night on a 31-yard screen pass from Ben DiNucci. Coach Eric Kasperowicz elected to go for two points and the lead, but DiNucci could not find an open receiver as his pass failed. The Rams second year mentor said there was no doubt in the decision to go for two points. DiNucci said it was a “hell of a call” for his coach to make to show the confidence in his team.

The Rams then elected to try an onside kick, which they could not recover. Three plays later, Hawks running back De’Andre Swift scored his fourth touchdown of the game on a 48-yard run to put the Hawks up eight points. But Pine-Richland was not done, as DiNucci led the troops down field again, using both his arms and legs to set up a final play at the Hawks 25-yard line. The Penn recruit was forced to scramble and avoid tackles, throwing a jump ball that Olamide Zaccheaus intercepted in the end zone to end an amazing game. DiNucci said they called their Hail Mary play, he felt pressure and stayed alive as long as he could. Hawks coach Gabe Infante said he was just checking the clock to make sure the game was over and that neither team had any possessions left.

DiNucci became the single season passing leader in Pennsylvania by throwing for 383 yards on 32 of 46 passing. The senior threw for 4,269 yards in 2014, easily surpassing the 3,951 yard mark set by Port Allegheny’s Matt Bodamer in 2012. He also set the standard for the highest passing total in a PIAA Championship Game. Also setting a new mark was receiver Michael Merhaut, whose 14 catches set PIAA playoff and title game records. Merhaut caught one touchdown pass and came up two catches shy of tying Seton-LaSalle’s Carmen Connolly for the WPIAL single season reception plateau of 112.

Early on, Pine-Richland had to rally from a 14-0 second quarter deficit, as Zaccheaus scored on a 56-yard swing pass down the near sideline from Jack Clements in the first quarter and James Bell went in on a 26-yard middle post route from Clements midway through the second quarter. The Rams got on the board after Austin Goncz recovered a fumble at midfield. DiNucci would hit Merhaut for a 12-yard touchdown, set up by a big, 30-yard run by Earnest Williams. Williams then scored on a three yard run with 32 seconds remaining in the half to tie the game at 14-14 at the break.

Saint Joseph’s Prep made some adjustments in the locker room and the offense came out firing on all cylinders. Swift, only a sophomore, scored on the second play of the quarter with a run that defied any laws of physics. On the jaunt, he broke seven tackles on the way to the 58-yard touchdown. Coach Infante rolled the dice and went for an onside kick, which the Hawks’ kicker Nick Bill recovered. Infante pulled another rabbit out of the hat and called a fake reverse with a pitch back to Clements, who found a wide open Swift for a 48-yard score. Zaccheaus then added his second score on a three-yard run and the Hawks thought they were on their way to an easy PIAA title win.

Pine-Richland dug a hole offensively, after a pass interference call went against the Rams and a personal foul pushed the football back on their next possession. But DiNucci did what he does best: create big plays. He would hit Antonino Battaglia for a 46-yard gain and Connor Slomka would score his 35th touchdown of the season the next play and the Rams trailed by 14 entering the fourth.

That deficit became 21 points just seven plays into the final frame, as Swift scored on a one-yard run. The quick strike offense of the Rams then took over the game, as DiNucci found Battaglia for a four-yard touchdown. The Rams defense forced a three-and-out and DiNucci took advantage of a short field one a 23-yard pass to Gastion in which the senior receiver got a foot down inside the pylon. The defense held again and did not allow a first down, as a Clements incompletion stopped the clock and allowed Pine-Richland to keep one of their two remaining timeouts. Another short field allowed DiNucci to work his magic, as he found Gastion to almost complete the comeback.

DiNucci said that it stinks to lose but in reality that it was a such a good feeling to get to Hershey and accomplish what they did, going 15-1 and winning a WPIAL title. The Rams ended with three 100-yard receivers. Merhaut had 113 yards, Battaglia had eight catches for 120 and Gaston had six for 109. DiNucci also led the Rams in rushing with 83 yards on 10 carries.

Swift led the way with 226 yards on 23 carries and four scores. He also had three catches for 57 yards. Infante called the sophomore the best that he has ever coached. Clements threw for 219 yards on 8 of 16 passing. Zaccheaus was held to just 30 yards rushing but did have three catches for 124 yards. The Hawks finish at 11-3.

Scoring Summary:
St. Joseph’s Prep Hawks    7 – 7 – 21 – 14 = 49
Pine-Richland Rams           0 – 14 – 7 – 20 = 41

First Quarter:
SJ:  Olamide Zeccheaus 56 pass from Jack Clements (Nick Bill kick)   1:32

Second Quarter:
SJ:  James Bell 28 pass from Clements (Bill kick)   7:39
PR:  Mike Merhaut 12 pass from Ben DiNucci (Adam Napotik kick)   3:25
PR:  Earnest Williams 3 run (Napotnik kick)   :31

Third Quarter:
SJ:  De’Andre Swift 58 run (Bill kick)   10:29
SJ:  Swift 48 pass from Clements (Bill kick)   10:11
SJ:  Zeccheaus 3 run (Bill kick)   3:49
PR:  Connor Slomka 3 run (Napotnik kick)    2:01

Fourth Quarter:
SJ:  Swift 1 run (Bill kick)   9:25
PR:  Antonino Battaglia 4 pass from DiNucci (Napotnik kick)   8:05
PR:  D’Andre Gastion 23 pass from DiNucci (Napotnik kick)   4:34
PR:  Gastion 31 pass from DiNucci (pass failed)   2:15
SJ:  Swift 47 run (Bill kick)   1:49