WPIAL Plays of the Week – PIAA Quarterfinals

By: Bruce Markey
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 | 12:00 AM

Four WPIAL football champions kicked off the state playoffs filled with hope and glee…That there would be another title and more gold for them on the Road to Hershey…Three district teams; North Allegheny, South Fayette and Clairton all advanced to their classifications state final four…However Central Valley saw its hopes for a PIAA title come crashing down on Erie Veterans Stadium's hard, cold floor.

PIAA CLASS AAAA Quarterfinals
North Allegheny Tigers 21 – State College Little Lions 6
The North Allegheny Sports Networks Randy Gore and Rick Meister on the call

It became apparent early on that this rematch in Week 14 would be a lot closer than the Week 1 rout in which North Allegheny pounded State College 42-7. The game was closer, but the result was the same thanks to Vinnie Congedo, filling in for the injured Alex Papson, rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns, including a 5-yard third quarter run that proved to be the final score of the game as the Tigers knocked out the Little Lions 21-6.

PIAA CLASS AAA Quarterfinals
Erie Cathedral Prep Ramblers 31 – Central Valley Warriors 21
WBVP-AM 1230 and WMBA-AM 1460's Bob Barrickman and Tom Hays on the call

Through two quarters, all looked good for first year Central Valley, as the surprising WPIAL champions built a 14-9 lead by halftime in Erie. But the Warriors offense turned as cold as the temperature at Veterans Stadium in the second half as the Ramblers turned turnovers into points, including this 53-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Dearis Williams which turned out to be the winning score in a 31-21 victory for District 10 over District 7.

PIAA CLASS AA Quarterfinals
South Fayette Lions 62 – Brockway Rovers 28
WJPA-FM 95.3's Bob Gregg and Mark Uriah on the call

Two of the top passers in the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania collided at West Allegheny High School and starred in an aerial circus that did not disappoint the brave fans, especially those clad in green. Nine touchdowns in all scored by South Fayette, including five scoring throws by Christian Brumbaugh, who set a new PIAA playoff yardage mark with 380 yards passing, including this 56 yards pass to Zach Challingsworth on the first possession of the game as the Lions were off an rolling to a 62-28 lopsided victory over the Brockway Rovers.

PIAA CLASS A Quarterfinals
Clairton Bears 52 – North Star Cougars 0
MSA Sports Dan Zangrilli and Mark Schaas on the call

On only the second play from scrimmage for the defending state champs, Capri Thompson scored on a 30-yard run that for all intense and purposes, sealed the deal on this PIAA round two game early at Somerset High School. Clairton had their way with the North Star Cougars to the tune of 52-0 for the Bears 29th consecutive victory.