WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Nine 2017

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, October 31, 2017 | 6:19 PM

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It’s hard to believe, but the 2017 WPIAL regular season has already drawn to a conclusion. Before the focus turns to the postseason, though, let’s take a look back at the top plays from the final week of the campaign. This week’s collection includes a pair of scores in the final minutes to hand the respective 5A conference champions their first loss, a special teams play led to a lopsided outcome in a battle of 1A heavyweights, and a second-half surge that determined the final playoff qualifier from the Interstate Conference.

1. McKeesport 27, Penn-Trafford 24

The Tigers, once considered the favorite in Class 5A, needed a win to build momentum heading to the playoffs. McKeesport did just that, and defeated the top-ranked Warriors in the process. The Tigers trailed with just minutes remaining, but QB JJ Harper provided an electrifying 8-yard run with just 1:16 left to give McKeesport the edge. Penn-Trafford tried to pull even in the final seconds, but a field goal attempt came up just short to seal the McKeesport win.

The Trib Live High School Sports Network’s Josh Rowntree and Rob McKinney have the call of Harper’s winning touchdown:

2. Woodland Hills 9, Upper St. Clair 7

The storyline for this game was nearly identical to the aforementioned contest, as the Wolverines were looking to build momentum heading into the postseason, while the Panthers looked to close out an undefeated section campaign. Offense was at a premium, as USC clung to a 7-6 edge. With just more than two minutes left, though, the Wolverines set up for the go-ahead field goal. Charles Hanchett split the uprights from 20 yards to provide the final points, as Woodland Hills scored the upset.

The Woodland Hills Sports Networks Adam Gusky and Rick McIntyre provide the audio of the winning kick:

3. Clairton 40, Jeannette 6

Although the Bears have had the better of this rivalry for the past several years, it seemed like 2017 would be a different story, as the Jayhawks had cruised to an undefeated record, while Clairton had already lost twice. The Bears played their finest game of the season on Friday, however, demolishing Jeannette. The biggest play of the affair came late in the first half, as Jeannette’s Tre Cunningham attempted a field goal to cut into Clairton’s 6-0 edge. The kick was blocked, though, and Anthony Pruitt returned it more than 80 yards for a score.

The Trib Live High School Sports Networks Sean Saputo and Lou Rood have the call, while Jess Levo provides the videography for the key special teams play:

4. Derry Area 48, McGuffey 28

The Trojans and Highlanders took the field on Friday knowing that the winner would qualify for the playoffs, while the loser would see its postseason hopes crushed. The first half included back and forth action, with McGuffey holding a narrow lead. The second half belonged to Derry, though, as the Trojans pulled ahead on a 4-yard run by Justin Flack just more than four minutes into the third. After taking the lead, the Trojans never looked back, securing a playoff bid.

The McGuffey Highlanders Sports Networks Rusty Pettit and Ty Bedillion detail Flack’s run, which paved the way for a Trojan’s come-from-behind victory:

Tags: Clairton, Derry Area, Jeannette, McKeesport, Upper St. Clair, Woodland Hills