WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Eight 2013

By: Bruce Markey
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 | 1:13 PM

Oh Week Eight, you were something. From controversies to conversions to comebacks, the eighth week of the 2013 WPIAL season was certainly special. In all, there were 10 games decided by 7 points or less, including 3 dramatic, one-point games. Throw in a Quad A comeback and one of the most talked about plays in recent history and how can you not be pumped for the remainder of the season? Here are the top playoff from Week Eight:

#1 Aliquippa 34, Beaver Falls 28

It may be the most controversial and talked about playing of the 2013 season. With 5:32 left in the game and down 28-26, Aliquippa’s Terry Swanson would rush down the sideline, be tackled, get up and run in for the go-ahead touchdown. No whistle was ever blown on the play, as officials never saw Swanson make contact with the turf. Swanson, urged to keep running by his coaches standing just feet away from him, would run for the 58-yard score, while no players continued to play. Replays appear to show that Swanson, while doing a terrific balancing act, may have had his elbow touch the ground. The win keeps the Quips undefeated at 8-0, while Beaver Falls, perhaps deserving of a better fate, drops to 7-1.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/aliquippa-boys-football-at-beaver-falls-boys-football

WBVP-AM 1230 and WMBA-AM 1460's Bob Barrickman and Tom Hays on the call.

#2 Penn-Trafford 35, Gateway 34

John Ruane’s gamble paid off in the best way imaginable. After pulling within one point on an18-yard touchdown pass from Brett Laffoon to John Guzik with 16 seconds remaining the game, Ruane would roll the dice by going for the win with the two-point conversion. Laffoon would connect with Devin Austin in the endzone, propelling Penn-Trafford to the 35-34 upset win over the Gators.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/penn-trafford-boys-football-at-gateway-boys-football

MSA Sports Mike Sackley and Sean Meyers on the call.

#3 New Castle 43, Moon 42

Much like John Ruane’s gamble for Penn-Trafford, New Castle coach Joe Cowart was faced with a similar dilemma: tie the game or go for the win. Cowart, just like Ruane, elected to keep his offense on the field following a Stew Allen 22-yard touchdown reception from Julian Cox with 55 seconds to play. Unlike the Warriors’ gamble though, Cox would keep the ball himself instead of throwing, finding the endzone and lifting the Red Hurricane to a dramatic Parkway Conference victory.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/new-castle-boys-football-at-moon-boys-football

WKST-AM 1200's Ken Helbovy and Stan Roberts on the call.

#4 Beaver 41, Ellwood City 40

Ellwood City, despite being in one of the WPIAL’s toughest Conferences, has battled hard all season. Unforunately for the Wolverines, they’ve been on the wrong end of some tight games. Friday night was no exception. After leading 34-20 at halftime, Beaver would watch Ellwood City score 20-straight points. But it was the Bobcats that would strike last, as Jordan Yates would run in a 5-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter and Beaver’s defense would do the rest, as the Bobcats clinched a playoff spot with a 41-30 MAC victory.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/beaver-boys-football-at-ellwood-city-boys-football

92.1 WKPL and MSA Sports Rob Matzie and Johnny Lee on the call.

#5 Mt. Lebanon 24, Penn Hills 21

For Mt. Lebanon, it’s been a tough season of big expectations and few wins. But the Blue Devils got their biggest win of the season on Friday, keeping their minuscule playoff hopes alive with a dramatic 24-21 victory over Penn Hills on Homecoming. After watching Penn Hills take a 14-0 lead just 3:44 into the game, Mt. Lebanon would take over. Leading the way was Sophomore QB Eddie Jenkins, who passed for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns, while rushing for another score. The biggest play though was the last, as Penn Hills took over possession with 4 seconds left on the Mt. Lebanon 44-yard line. Indians’ QB Billy Kisner would be sacked for a 25-yard loss by Eric Kinderman, giving the Blue Devils the stunning victory.

Full Broadcast: http://www.msasports.net/broadcasts/penn-hills-boys-football-at-mount-lebanon-boys-football

MSA Sports Josh Rowntree and Mike Azadian on the call.