WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Eight 2014

By: Bruce Markey
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 | 12:54 AM

Only one more week remains in the 2014 WPIAL football regular season. But before we get there, let’s look back one last time at a thrilling eighth week that featured big games, bigger wins and tons of playoff clinchings. All in all, it was a great appetizer to the entrée that will be week nine. So let’s dive into the top plays of week eight:

1. Pine-Richland 48, Pittsburgh Central Catholic 28

A massive win for the underdog, as Pine-Richland knocked off the Vikings in front of a capacity crowd at Highmark Stadium. While the final score looked blowout-ish, this was a tight game for a while. Perhaps the biggest momentum shifter was a sensational touchdown run by Army recruit Connor Slomka, who hurdled a defender to give the Rams a 28-21 lead.

Check out the video of the play from our GameLights:

2. New Castle 29, Chartiers Valley 28

After falling behind Chartiers Valley 28-6, a depressing end to the New Castle playoff hopes certainly had to be on the minds of some Red Hurricane faithful. But a furious second half rally stunned the Colts, who also needed to win to keep their playoff dreams afloat. Daylyn Glenel led the way, rushing for three touchdowns and the game-winning two-point conversion in the fourth quarter, sending New Castle to the postseason.

WKST-AM 1200’s Mark Schaas and Rob Gregory on the call:

3. South Park 42, Steel Valley 23

In one of the more unbelievable sequences you will ever see, South Park turned a 10-7 deficit with 2:06 left in the first half into a 35-10 halftime lead. The dagger was a 36-yard touchdown pass on a reverse to wide receiver Clay Smith. Smith then launched the ball down the field to an open Brandon McMurray, who waltzed into the end zone and gave the Eagles a 35-10 lead at half. In all, South Park scored 28 points in 1:11, helping lift them to a WPIAL Playoff birth and a runaway victory.

MSA Sports’ Josh Rowntree and Gero Von Dahn on the call:

4. Springdale 14,  Greensburg Central Catholic 12

It’s only fitting that Springdale would be sent into the playoffs on a defensive play. After all, the Dynamos have been paced by their stifling defense all year. After holding Monessen’s speedy offense to just 12 points two weeks ago, Springdale would shut down a physical attack by the Centurions. After GCC picked up a big defensive play of their own, an 88-yard interception return for a touchdown, Springdale would need a big stop on a two-point conversion. They would keep GCC out of the endzone and go on to shutout the Centurions the rest of the way, clinching a playoff spot in the process.

MSA Sports’ Rob Longo and Greg Kuntz on the call: