Upper St. Clair shuts down Penn Hills to power into Class 5A semifinals

By: Mitch Montani
Friday, November 8, 2024 | 11:14 PM

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Upper St. Clair’s defense smothered Penn Hills on Friday night, earning a 24-3 victory in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals.

“Our defense really made a number of big plays tonight,” Panthers coach Mike Junko said. “They were the reason we got this win. They put a lot of pressure on the quarterback and contained the run game.”

Angelo Baleno got Penn Hills (7-5) on the board first with a 34-yard field goal on the game’s opening drive.

The 3-0 lead for the Indians lasted until the late stages of the first half. Charlie Bywalski had a first-half interception for the Panthers, which kept them above water. Upper St. Clair (11-0) won the turnover battle 3-0.

“All night long our defense did a great job of getting off the field,” Junko said. “We were a little out of sync offensively in the first half. We played better in the second half.”

A 1-yard touchdown run by Dante Coury gave the Panthers a 7-3 halftime lead. They scored again to start the third quarter on a 26-yard touchdown run from Julian Dahlem.

The game-changing play occurred late in the third quarter. A fumble by Penn Hills quarterback Jaymere Ellis was returned 36 yards by John Banbury for a touchdown. Ellis was injured on the play and did not return.

“I knew it was going to be deflating with one of our leaders and one of their brothers going down” Penn Hills coach Charles Morris said. “It was just about responding to adversity.”

Despite being unable to crack the Panthers’ defense, Penn Hills held the line for the remainder of the game. A 22-yard field goal by Upper St. Clair’s Jacobo Echeverria provided the fourth quarter’s only points.

Coming into the night, Penn Hills had won seven of its last eight after starting 0-3. Morris was proud of his team’s effort.

“Our kids are resilient,” he said. “They fought all year and did everything I asked them. Everybody counted us out. They gave their best effort.”

The Indians will graduate a group of talented seniors, including Ellis and star running back Naytel Mitchell. Morris’ message to his seniors was strong.

“I love them,” he said. “They’re the reason why the culture in our program is going in the trajectory that it is. They’re going to be the foundation for the young guys that are coming after them.”

Upper St. Clair will look ahead to next week’s semifinal round, where a rematch with Allegheny Six conference foe Peters Township awaits.

Upper. Clair beat Peters Township, 21-7, in Week 5.

“Until they’re knocked out of the tournament, they’re still the defending champ,” Junko said. “It should be a physical battle between two really good football teams.”

Tags: Penn Hills, Upper St. Clair