WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Thirteen

By: Bruce Markey
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 | 6:06 PM

While four WPIAL champions were crowned two weeks ago at Heinz Field, last weekend the 1A and 2A titles were on the line at Robert Morris. Meanwhile, three WPIAL representatives began their path in the state playoffs, and two of those teams claimed victory. This week’s edition of the best plays includes a superstar’s game-changing pick 6 in 1A, the long touchdown that started a rout in 2A, and two district teams getting the job done in the first quarters en route to PIAA victories.

1. Clairton 26, Jeannette 6

When Clairton and Jeannette met in the championship last year, the contest was lopsided in favor of the Bears from start to finish. This year, the game was much closer, and the Bears were clinching to just a six-point lead as the Jayhawks were driving late in the third quarter. At that point, Clairton’s Lamont Wade made a game-changing defensive play, as he intercepted a fourth-down pass and returned it 82 yards for a touchdown to put the Bears ahead 18-6.

MSA Sports’ Paul Paterra and Lou Rood on the Pro Grass Video Stream have the call, as Wade’s pick-six helped guide the Bears to their third straight 1A WPIAL crown:

2. Steel Valley 49, Neshannock 14

All season, the Steel Valley Ironmen wasted little time in jumping out to insurmountable leads. Despite facing the best competition the WPIAL had to offer in Class 2A this time, the outcome was the same for the Ironmen, as they scored 21 points in the first quarter, and cruised to another mercy rule triumph. The biggest of the early strikes came on a 65-yard connection between QB Ryan Harper and receiver Zai’Quan Henderson to put Steel Valley ahead 14-0.

MSA Sports’ Matt Vandriak and Mike Azadian on the Pro Grass Video Stream detail the long pass  that helped the Ironmen capture their first WPIAL championship since in the 1980s:

3. Central Catholic 62, Williamsport 21

While Class 1A and 2A wrapped up its WPIAL slate, other district teams began their trek to Hershey. Central Catholic made quick work of District 4 representative Williamsport, as the Vikings held a 35-point lead by the half. The biggest catalyst in the Vikings’ success was JJ Younger, who had four touchdown runs. Younger’s second score came on the final play of the first quarter, as he displayed his explosive speed en route to a 52-yard touchdown to put Central Catholic ahead of the Millionaires 21-7.

MSA Sports Sean Meyers and Donny Chedrick provide the audio for the run that proved that Younger did not have a price for the million dollar men:

4. West Allegheny 47, Meadville 20

With the dramatic way the Indians captured the 5A WPIAL championship, it would be easy for the team to have a letdown. But West Allegheny avoided that trap against Meadville, keyed by a hot start. After the Indians scored the first points of the game, they executed an onside kick to get possession back, and quickly culminated it with another score. Nick Ross connected with Connor Johnsen on a 15-yard pass to put West Allegheny ahead 13-0 midway through the first stanza, a lead it would not relinquish.

WJPA-AM 1450’s Bob Gregg and George Lammay provide the audio on the Indians connect that helped lead the team to the PIAA 5A semifinals: