WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Twelve 2014

By: Bruce Markey
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 | 8:28 PM

For all practical purposes, the Highway to Heinz is over. Up next is the WPIAL Football Championships at Heinz Field. The Steelers are scoring points at a blistering rate over their last three games at the big ketchup bottle. If the WPIAL Semifinals are indication, we could be in for a track meet on Friday. The Semis saw a rare challenge for the Bears of Clairton, a rare knockoff of the defending Class A State Champions and much, much more. So before we bundle up and make our way to the North Shore, let’s take one last look at the top plays from the WPIAL Football Semifinals:

1. Clairton 48, Neshannock 42 (OT)
Eleven wins, eleven mercy rules. That had been the norm for the Clairton Bears entering the WPIAL Class A Semifinals. But the Neshannock Lancers were no normal opponent. Rallying from a 14-point deficit, the Lancers tied up the game late and forced overtime. That’s when Class A’s most dominant player, who had dominanted the whole night, took over for good. Sophomore Lamont Wade intercepted a pass on Neshannock’s first possession of overtime, then ran for a 10-yard touchdown, sending the Clairton Bears back to their second home, Heinz Field.

WJST-AM 1280’s Mark Schaas and Lee Mohn have the call:

Watch the full GameLight, including Wade’s interception and winning run:

2. Avonworth 28, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 21
If Clairton pulled off the play of the Semifinals, then let’s just say that Avonworth pulled off the biggest win Friday night. After years of being bounced by rival Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic in the postseason, the Antelopes finally got their revenge… and in a big, big way. Backed up to their own 7 yard line, Avonworth would go on a 16-play, 93-yard drive that culminated in a 3-yard touchdown run for Brandon Wasko. But Wasko wasn’t done. On CWNC’s ensuing drive, Wasko intercepted Adam Sharlow, sealing the win for the Antelopes and sending them to their first WPIAL Championship Game since 1959.

MSA Sports Greg Warnock and Brandon Showers have the call:

3. Central Cathoic 52, Penn-Trafford 34
Calmness is often overlooked when it comes to important football victories. But on Friday night, Central Catholic was able to remain calm and prevail with a runaway victory over previously undefeated Penn-Trafford. It also helped that John Petrishen saved his best performance for the biggest game of the year. In addition to taking over at the wildcat quarterback position and rushing for 211 yards and a score, Petrishen also scored on a backbreaking trick play touchdown pass from Gunnar Frerotte, which gave the Vikings a 28-20 lead that they would not relinquish.

WHJB-FM 107.1’s Don Conde and Jimmy Lee Santorella have the call:

4. Aliquippa 44, Washington 26
Getting to Heinz Field. That’s the goal of every WPIAL football team in August. But one Western Pennsylvania school knows better than anyone how to make it to the North Shore. Aliquippa out-battled a valiant Washington team, earning a seventh straight trip to the WPIAL Championship Game. Up 28-26 in the 4th quarter, Kaezon Pugh would break free for a 12-yard touchdown run. After the two-point conversion, the Quips were up by ten points and on their way to a Semifinal win. Pugh rushed for four touchdowns on the day, as the Quips will fight for their 16th WPIAL Championship on Friday.

WJPA-AM 1450’s Bob Gregg and Nate Regotti have the call: