WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Eleven 2015

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 | 11:36 AM

While the opening round of the 2015 WPIAL playoffs featured a slew of fantastic finishes, the quarterfinals round was perhaps more exciting. This week’s slate of top plays include a pair that were key in upset victories. Moreover, while many of the top seeds held serve, a few of those teams needed spectacular plays to fend off upset bids. Without further adeiu, here are the four best plays of week 11.

1. Penn-Trafford 39, McKeesport 32

The Warriors scored decisive regular-season victories over the Tigers in each of the past two years, but McKeesport appeared poised to gain revenge in this rematch. Up by 11 points with less than five minutes left, though, the Tigers couldn’t finish off the Warriors, as P-T’s late score and two-point conversion forced the game to overtime. The Warriors’ offense took the field first, but after moving the wrong direction, Penn-Trafford faced a fourth and 21 scenario. The prolific connection of Brett Laffoon and Timmy Vecchio added another score to their resume, however, and the Warriors’ defense made the lead stand to advance to the Class Quad-A semifinals for the third straight season.

WHJB-FM 107.1’s Mike Zappone and Jimmy Lee Santorella have the call of the winning score in extra time:

2. Frazier 14, Shenango 13

Because of the playoff futility of the Tri-County South Conference in recent years, many pundits rolled their eyes when Frazier was awarded the fourth-seed in the Class A bracket. Furthermore, after barely escaping a first-round overtime contest, the Commodores appeared to be overmatched against a talented Shenango squad. Frazier managed to gain a one-point edge, however, and much like it’s done all season, the Commodores’ defense came up big, holding off a late Wildcats’ surge. Caleb Fox’s interception with less than two minutes left all but sealed the win for Frazier.

WMBS-AM 590’s Dan Wallace and Steve Superick provide the commentary for the second thrilling victory for Frazier in as many weeks:

3. Steel Valley 24, Beaver Falls 18

While the Ironmen dominated several games against worthy foes in the regular season, their lopsided defeat to South Fayette left many to question how Steel Valley would stack up against the other heavyweights in the Class AA playoffs. Steel Valley answered that question in a resounding way in the quarterfinals, getting the better of an incredibly talented Beaver Falls squad. In the tilt, Steel Valley gained the upper hand early, but the Tigers began to trim into their deficit. After an Ironmen penalty in the late stages, Beaver Falls had possession in Steel Valley territory, trailing by just six points. Kaleb Hughes ended the Tigers’ hopes, though, as he hauled in the clinching interception in the final minute, setting up a rematch for Steel Valley against South Fayette in the semifinals..

MSA Sports’ Matt Vandriak and James Dotson highlight the game-saving defensive effort by Hughes:

4. Clairton 46, Avonworth 21

When the Bears and Antelopes met in the Class A title game last season at Heinz Field, Lamont Wade’s four interceptions keyed a dominant Bears’ victory. The rematch came this season in the quarterfinals, and while the result was similar, it was Wade’s ability on offense that proved to be the difference. Clairton and Avonworth were deadlocked 14-14 at the half, but Wade scored early in the third quarter to put his team ahead. Then, later in the stanza, he exploded for a 91-yard score, his third of the contest, that gave Clairton the 28-14 lead. Ultimately, the Bears would cruise to a comfortable win to keep their hopes for a repeat alive.

MSA Sports’ Dan Zangrilli and Adam Hoerner set the scene for Wade’s long score: