University Prep: First Season, First Pgh City League Title

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, November 19, 2011 | 11:35 PM

When University Prep (11-1) and Allderdice (5-7) met on October 14 at George Cupples Stadium, it was a defensive battle ending in a 12-0 victory for the Panthers. The 2011 City League championship on Saturday was a repeat performance culminating in a 14-0 victory and the first ever title for the newly formed University Prep program, taking a page out of Central Valley's playbook from 2010 in Class AAA.

Each team had one good scoring chance in the first half.

For the Panthers it came in the first quarter when Dante Forte was picked off in the end zone after cracking the red zone for the first time on the afternoon.

For the Dragons it came on a 58-yard touchdown run for Patrick Ferguson in the second quarter which got called back on offsetting penalties.

University Prep finally broke through midway through the fourth quarter when Akil Young, who took over at quarterback in the third, hooked up with Tayvon Taylor from seven yards out for a 6-0 lead. The pass failed, giving Allderdice a window to take the lead, but they were forced to punt on the ensuing possession.

The Dragons managed to pin the Panthers at their own seven, but Jaylen Coleman picked up half of his yards on the day two plays later with a 91-yard romp. The conversion run would succeed, and the 14-0 lead held up as University Prep picked off Bishop Gethers for the third time.

The defensive domination was evident across the board as Ferguson and Gerard Hardrick were held to a combined 70 yards on the ground. Not that the Panthers were much more effective, though Forte stood out with over 100 all-purpose yards throwing, running and receiving.

But the real story and MVP was Coleman, who collected 183 yards on 27 carries. The Panthers will compete in the 2011 PIAA Playoffs against District 6 champion State College.
 

University Prep Panthers : 0 – 0 – 0 – 14 = 14
Allderdice Dragons: 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 = 0
 

Tags: Allderdice, University Prep