WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Ten 2014

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, November 6, 2014 | 3:50 PM

We’re full steam ahead on the Highway to Heinz. Week one lacked a great number of upsets, but did provide a couple of big ones. A blocked kick, an early score, a late fumble and a Quarterback battling through an injury highlight the best plays from Week Ten. Before we make a pit stop in the Quarterfinals, let’s take a look back at the top plays from the WPIAL First Round:

1. South Park 21, Beaver 20
Special teams plays seldom make the Plays of the Week. Sure, you’ll get your occasional winning field goal, kick return, etc. But On Friday night, South Park got their biggest play of the season on special teams. But this time it was a blocked kick that makes the cut for the top play. Facing a game-losing kick with no time left on the clock, the Eagles’ Vinnie Pantuso was able to get a mitt on the ball, preserving the 21-20 win for South Park. Up next is a stiffer challenge, as the Eagles will meet top-seeded South Fayette in the Quarterfinals.

WMBA-AM 1460’s Tom Hays and Jason Colangelo on the call:

2. Plum 17, Penn Hills 6
Without question, the biggest stunner of the first round goes to the Plum Mustangs, who took down Penn Hills in their first playoff appearance in four years. They did so with a stifling defense that held the Indians’ dynamic rushing attack in check. The  knockout blow came surprisingly early, as Wil Fuhrer hit Nathan Turchick for a 7-yard touchdown pass with little time remaining in the first half that boosted Plum’s lead to 14-6. The Mustangs’ defense would take over, shutout out the Indians the rest of the way and sending Plum into the Quarterfinals, where they will meet Conference rival McKeesport on Friday night.

MSA Sports Greg Warnock and Sean Meyers on the call:

3. Riverside 21, Beth-Center 20
Dropping the ball can adequately describe Beth-Center’s First Round Playoff game. The undefeated Champions from the struggling Tri-County South received a favorable matchup as the 4-seed in Class A. But Riverside had other ideas. A long drive down the field at the end of regulation was setting up the Trojans for the win. But a fumble into the end zone, recovered by Riverside, would seal the upset for the Panthers. Riverside will next meet 5-seed Avonworth in the Quarterfinals.

Waynesburg University students Kyle Dawson and R.J. Leisie on the call:

4. Highlands 24, New Brighton 19
Highlands Quarterback Brayden Thimons battled injury, but overcame to lead the Golden Rams into the Quarterfinals with a 24-19 win over upset-minded New Brighton. With 2:08 left in regulation and up 17-12, Thimons broke multiple tackles on a 12-yard touchdown run. Despite a late score from the Lions, Thimons’ heroics were all that Highlands needed. Up next, the Golden Rams will meet 5-seed Seton-LaSalle.

WBVP-AM 1230’s Bob Barrickman and Kerry Lacey on the call: