WPIAL Plays of the Week

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 | 9:12 PM

The reason for the season.  The new season, that is.  The Highway to Heinz is officially underway as teams look to merge towards the left lane and 'put the hammer down' en route to their hopeful destination on the North Shore of Pittsburgh.  Round One of the 2011 WPIAL playoffs saw a bevy of terrific matchups and potential upsets.  One of the more memorable first round's in recent years, we here at MSA Sports are happy to highlight some of the Week 10 (1st Round) WPIAL Post-Season Plays of the Week! 

Play #1:  Knoch Knights 28 – West Allegheny Indians 7

The Knogh Knights knew they were going to have to overcome adversity on the football field in the first round on Friday.  Despite finishing undefeated, Knoch drew a more-than-worthy first round foe in West Allegheny.   However, the fact that the Indians were invading Saxonburg paled in comparrison to the adversity they would face a day after they drew their opponent.  Knoch senior cheerleader Alexis Summers was killed in a one-car accident earlier in the week.  She was also the girlfriend of running back Andrew Rumberg-Goodlin.   In a sign of true courage and focus, Rumberg-Goodlin took the field with the rest of his teammates as the Knights scored 28 unanswered points after an early Indians lead.  The quest to fulfill Summers' dream of seeing Knoch reach Heinz Field will continue while their overall record improves to 10-0. 

Play #2:  Thomas Jefferson Jaguars 34 – Greensburg-Salem Golden Lions 28

While it wasn't the marquee matchup in the deep AAA field that many thought would be, the Golden Lions traveled to Jefferson Hills and gave the Jaguars nearly more than they could handle.  Sixth-seeded Thomas Jefferson saw a late lead evaporate when Greensburg Salem tied the game at 28-28 to send it past regulation.  However, it was Jags' quarterback Dom Presto who was able to plunge in from one yard out in overtime to permit TJ to see another week of football.

Play #3:  Ellwood City Wolverines 33 – Freeport Yellowjackets 26

While many weren't exactly counting the visiting Wolverines out on Friday night, they certainly were an underdog heading to Freeport to take on the Yellowjackets.  While the Allegheny Conference has had it's legitimacy called into question throughout the course of the year, it was the Wolverines who were able to put the proof in the pudding with a late rally and to earn an upset win.  EC's resurgance as a football program recieved a big shot in the arm and a trip to the 2011 quarterfinals.  22 seconds away from overtime with the score tied 26-26, Julian Cox found paydirt from one yard out to cap a remarkable, memorable comeback.  It was the Wolverine's first playoff victory since the Ronald Reagan administration (1987).

Play #4:  Bishop Canevin Crusaders 27 – Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers 23

The Crusaders should be more considerate.  At this junction of his career, their head coach, Bob Jacoby shouldn't have to go through the anxiety he did on Friday night at Dormont Stadium.  Unbeaten Bishop Canevin, heavily favored, was nearly upset on their "home" turf as the Buccaneers jumped out a a shocking early lead.  Down 10 points at the break, Bishop Canevin was able to rally defensively to stymie the Char-Houston 'O' while Casey McCaffrey made the big plays on offense scoring the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter on a four-yard run to move the Crusaders to 10-0 and to the quarterfinals.
 

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Chartiers-Houston, Ellwood City, Freeport, Greensburg Salem, Knoch, West Allegheny