WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Eleven 2016

By: Bruce Markey
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 | 5:46 PM

As good as the regular season and the first playoff week were, it’s likely that this past week’s action provided some of the top moments of the entire campaign. With trips at Heinz Field on the line in 3A-6A, and spots in the semifinals in the balance in 1A and 2A, the crucial plays carried even more importance. This week’s selection includes a jaw-dropping hook-and-lateral in an improbable win, a clinching block on an extra-point attempt with no time on the clock, a winning touchdown run in the final minute in a classic 3A bout, and a touchdown that put the exclamation point on a Cinderella run in 4A.

1. McKeesport 41, Gateway 38

Nearly a decade ago, the Gators pulled off one of the most famous plays in WPIAL history, a hook-and-lateral in the Quad-A Championship Game. On Friday, the Gators were on the wrong end of the play against McKeesport. Facing a three-point deficit with time for just one play left, McKeesport uncharacteristically turned to it’s passing attack for a desperation heave from the 44-yard line. Jayvaun Shears completed the pass to Layton Jordan deep down the field, but a swarm of Gateway defenders grasped him near the 5-yard line. Jordan, though, managed to pitch the ball to teammate JJ Harper, who ran undeterred into the end zone to give the Tigers the win.

MSA Sports Paul Paterra and Donny Chedrick have the call on the unbelievable play:

2. Seneca Valley 28, North Allegheny 27

The first time the Raiders and Tigers met this season, North Allegheny notched a dominant victory. As expected, the rematch was much closer, and Seneca Valley held a seven-point lead heading into the final play of regulation. North Allegheny scored as time expired, though, and only an extra point stood in the way of overtime. Seneca Valley made sure the game never reached the extra session, however, as Gabe Miller blocked the kick, completing his squad’s upset.

North Allegheny Sports Network’s Randy Gore and Rick Meister detail the block that sent the Raiders to Heinz Field:

3. Beaver Falls 28, Keystone Oaks 21

After the Tigers suffered a lopsided defeat to Aliquippa in Week 1, it seemed unlikely that Beaver Falls would get another crack at the Quips. The Tigers will now get that rematch, and it’ll take place with the 3A title on the line. In a battle between two equally-talented teams, the Tigers and Golden Eagles were deadlocked late in the fourth quarter. The Tigers mounted a 93-yard drive, though, culminating with a 7-yard touchdown run by Derrell Carter to give Beaver Falls it’s first lead with just 20 seconds left.

WBVP-AM 1230’s Bob Barrickman and Kerry Lacey provide the audio for Carter’s winning run:

4. New Castle 38, Ringgold 17

New Castle’s opening-round upset over South Fayette certainly opened eyes, but the Red Hurricane needed to defeat Ringgold to prove that outcome was not a fluke. New Castle did exactly that, behind a monster effort from QB Geno Stone. Stone accounted for five touchdowns, and defensively, he intercepted three passes. Stone’s heroic effort staked his team to an early edge, but when the Rams began mounting a comeback in the fourth, it was a Stone touchdown run that sealed the outcome. His 23-yard scamper put New Castle ahead by two scores with 4:30 left.

WKST-AM 1200’s Ken Hlebovy and Rob Gregory have the call for Stone’s terrific play that highlighted his historic night: