WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Eight 2016

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 | 7:40 PM

Incredibly, the 2016 football regular season is already winding down, with this past week representing the penultimate opportunity for many squads to make a playoff push or improve their standings. On a rain-filled weekend in the region, teams and players battled the elements to once again produce an impressive collection of outstanding moments. Among the plays to make the cut is another monumental clash in the Beaver Valley Conference, a long run that provided insurance in a crucial 5A battle, a QB keeper that helped fuel a big upset in 2A, and a spectacular interception return for a score.

1. Aliquippa 22, Central Valley 14

With four elite squads battling for just three, or possibly even two playoff spots, the Beaver Valley Conference has featured an array of memorable bouts this season. The latest edition featured the Quips and Warriors, and not surprisingly, the teams were deadlocked late in the fourth quarter. With just about three minutes remaining, though, Aliquippa notched the winning score, courtesy of a 33-yard run by Davion Jones.

WMBA-AM 1460’s Tom Hays and Bruce Frey have the account of the deciding touchdown:

2. West Mifflin 26, Belle Vernon Area 9

The Titans suffered a heartbreaker earlier this season when their defense allowed two scores in the final eight seconds against Ringgold. Against the Leopards, though, West Mifflin’s defense came up big en route to the W. No play better displayed the Titans’ efforts than Dorian Johnson’s interception return for a touchdown. Words cannot do justice to the return, but rather, the play needs to be seen to be believed.

In the Pro Grass video stream game of the week, MSA Sports Josh Rowntree and Kevin Zielmanski detail the incredible pick six, with Scott Majesky providing the videography:

3. McKeesport 34, Gateway 19

Similar to the BVC, the 5A Big East Conference has been a cluster for the majority of the season, with six squads fighting for only four  playoff spots. While the Tigers and Gators both actually qualified following this contest, the Tigers gained a massive win to position themselves favorably for the postseason seeding. Running back Carlinos Acie helped McKeesport mount a come-from-behind win, scoring three touchdowns. This third trip to paydirt came in the third quarter, on a 65-yard scamper.

MSA Sports Matt Vandriak and Sean Saputo have the call:

4. South Side 28, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 14

Heading to a 2A batle with the Trojans, the Rams were not expected by many to be able to compete with Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic. South Side not only competed, though, the Rams pulled off the upset. South Side gained the upper hand in the first half, keyed by a late score with just over a minute remaining. QB Robbie Heberle ran 41 yards through the Trojans defense and into the end zone, staking his team to a two-score lead.

MSA Sports Cory Campano and Greg Kuntz provide the audio for the play that put the game into upset alert: