WPIAL Plays of the Week – WPIAL Semifinals

By: Bruce Markey
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 | 12:00 AM

The end of the district playoffs is near as surviving WPIAL teams remain in postseason mode. With Championship Saturday upon us, eights teams with golden dreams have come to the end of the road. Thanks to these big Semifinals plays, three postseason wins have led these teams to the next playoff door. As the 2010 Highway to Heinz concludes on Pittsburgh's North Shore.

North Allegheny Tigers 17 – Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings 7
MSA Sports Paul Paterra and Dan Zangrilli on WBGG-AM Fox Sports Radio 970 on the call

With time ticking away in the fourth quarter, North Allegheny had the ball after an Alex Greenblatt 33-yard field goal had given them their first lead on the previous possession. Instead of looking to move the sticks with under four minutes remaining, NA's Alex Papson looked and succeeded at moving the scoreboard, as he galloped 67-yards to lead the Tigers to a 17-7 win over the previously undefeated Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings and earn a spot in the WPIAL football finals for the first time since 1998.

Central Valley Warriors 42 – Thomas Jefferson Jaguars 24
WJPA-FM 95.3's Bob Gregg and Mark Uriah on the call

One team was making its 13th consecutive trip to the district Semifinals, the other was making their inaugural trip in this, their very first season of existence. But when push came to shove late in the first half, Central Valley had the look of a veteran team with a big special teams answer. Trailing 14-10 late in the second quarter, Thomas Jefferson lined up for a punt that was blocked by CV's Dillon Trasport who turned it into six points when he recovered and scored for the Warriors. Central Valley never looked back as they rolled with three more second half scores to knock off the Jaguars 42-24.

Aliquippa Quips 26 – Ford City Sabers 7
MSA Sports Ken Laird and Matt Steinhiser on the call

It was going to take a Herculean effort by Ford City to come back against top-seed Aliquippa trailing 19-0 at halftime. David then lost his slingshot and ran out of rocks when the Quips scored their second defensive touchdown of the game. Richard Lowe scooped up a loose ball and returned it to the house 73 yards for an insurmountable lead in what would be a 26-7 win over the previously undefeated Sabers and earn the Quips a third straight trip to Heinz Field.

Rochester Rams 20 – Avonworth Antelopes 7
WBVP-AM 1230's Bob Barrickman on the call

Only a couple of Eastern Conference teams were standing in the way of the much anticipated rematch between Clairton and Rochester in Class A. While the Bears were taking care of business against Springdale, the Rams were in a dog fight with Avonworth, leading 10-7 late in the second quarter. But they struck through the air when quarterback Jasson Adamson hit Nick Tapia on a 9-yard score and Rochester never was threatened in the second half in route to a 20-7 victory over the Antelopes.

Tags: Aliquippa, Avonworth, Central Valley, Ford City, North Allegheny, Rochester, Thomas Jefferson