Quarterback’s quick return boosts No. 1 Pine-Richland in WPIAL semifinal vs. high-scoring Bethel Park

By: Chris Harlan
Friday, November 15, 2024 | 6:00 AM

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There were concerns Aaron “Oobi” Strader had broken his collarbone late in the regular season, an injury that would’ve cost top-seeded Pine-Richland its quarterback.

The injury was painful but proved less severe than first feared, letting the dual-threat sophomore return for a limited role in last week’s quarterfinal win. Strader hopes to give the Rams even more on Friday night when he leads them into a potentially high-scoring semifinal against No. 5 Bethel Park.

The game at North Hills’ Martorelli Stadium pairs the two top offenses in WPIAL 5A.

“There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that I was going to get back out here,” said Strader, who described the injury as a sprained throwing shoulder. “I knew I needed to get back out here for my teammates.”

Pine-Richland relied largely on the wildcat to win WPIAL and PIAA titles two years ago, a run-heavy scheme the Rams could’ve again used exclusively in Strader’s absence.

Rams coach Jon LeDonne said he was happy they won’t need to.

“Having Oobi back healthy is huge for us because it balances us out a little more,” LeDonne said.

Bethel Park averages 43.4 points per game to lead all WPIAL 5A offensives. Pine-Richland ranks second at 38 ppg. Both teams also have solid defenses, but it seems unlikely that either could post a shutout on Friday.

Bethel Park has the WPIAL’s second-leading passer in quarterback Tanner Pfeuffer and the second-leading rusher in JaVaughn Moore.

“You hope to play good defense, but at the end of the day, the other team is likely to score,” LeDonne said. “You’ve got to score some points as well.”

Pine-Richland’s defense allows 12.4 points per game. Bethel Park allows 15.4. Each ranks among the top five defenses in WPIAL 5A.

“It’s playoff football in November. I don’t think anybody goes out there and expects it to be 42-35,” Bethel Park coach Phil Peckich said. “But I think there will be some chances for both teams to succeed on the offensive side.”

Pine-Richland (9-1) is coming off a 42-0 quarterfinal win over Franklin Regional. Strader, one of three quarterbacks used in the win, completed 2 of 3 attempts for 61 yards and a touchdown.

The TD pass was the 15th this season for Strader, who has completed 67 of 123 passes for 1,329 yards. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound passer has also rushed for four touchdowns and thrown only one interception.

Strader was injured in Week 8, sat out the regular season finale and rested more during the team’s first-round bye.

“We were a little worried at first, but then day by day it started getting healthier and stronger,” Strader said. “I knew I was going to be playing.”

LeDonne wasn’t always as sure.

“We didn’t really know until Thursday of last week that he would be a game-time decision,” he said. “We didn’t need him much Friday — he only played a quarter — but it was good to get him back.”

Running back Maclane Miller rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Franklin Regional. Wide receiver/defensive back Jay Timmons also scored three times, once on an interception returned for a touchdown.

The Rams scored all 42 points in the first half.

Bethel Park (10-2) advanced to the semifinals with a 49-22 win over No. 4 Woodland Hills. Moore, who ranks second in the WPIAL with 2,025 rushing yards, carried 37 times for 280 yards and three touchdowns.

The Black Hawks also have a talented quarterback that brings them balance.

Pfeuffer, the WPIAL’s second-leading passer, completed 7 of 14 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns last week. The senior has passed for 2,615 yards and 31 touchdowns this season.

He surpassed 6,000 career yards last week.

“He’s been a three-year starter in a really, really tough conference,” Peckich said. “He’s put a ton of great film out there, and he carries himself the right way.”

Pfeuffer has completed 148 of 244 passes with five interceptions.

Pine-Richland and Bethel Park met in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs last year. Pine-Richland won, 51-6, but Bethel Park has a fuller roster available for this year’s rematch.

Moore was ineligible for last year’s game under PIAA transfer rules. He scored a team-high 31 touchdowns this year. Leading receiver Mitchell Paschl was injured a year ago. He has 38 catches for 658 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Second-leading rusher David Dennison was also hurt last year.

“If you go down the roster and read off some of the guys who’ve played major roles for us this year,” Peckich said, “they either weren’t health, weren’t eligible for the playoffs or just weren’t ready to play yet.”

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: Bethel Park, Pine-Richland