Rochester breaks through to title game
Rams break spell in 1A, blank Jeannette, 27-0, to earn trip to Heinz Field
The past two years, Jeannette defeated Rochester on its way to back-to-back WPIAL Class 1A titles. The two teams met again Friday night at Canon-McMillan in the WPIAL semifinals and the Rams got revenge with a 27-0 win.
Noah Whiteleather scored three touchdowns for the Rams, all on 2-yard runs, and also converted a 2-point conversion. The Rams other touchdown came on a 52-yard run by Darius Goosby.
Rochester will face Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the title game next Saturday at Heinz Field.
Class 5A quarterfinals
Gateway 35, Franklin Regional 0: The top-seeded Gators (12-0) advanced to the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals for the third consecutive year with a shutout of the Panthers (7-3) in a quarterfinal game played at Norwin. Gateway was led by Brendan Majocha, who threw for three touchdowns and ran for another. Majocha completed 18 of 31 passes for 176 yards and connected with Courtney Jackson on scoring passes of 15 and 22 yards and with Ethan Frenchik on a 13-yarder. He also scored on a 1-yard sneak. Franklin Regional had only 142 yards of total offense and turned the ball over four times. Gateway will face West Allegheny in next week’s semifinals.
Penn Hills 34, McKeesport 7: Hollis Mathis threw for three touchdowns to lead the No. 2-seeded Indians (12-0) to a quarterfinal win against the Tigers (9-3) at Fox Chapel. Mathis connected with Dante Cephas on scoring passes of 26, 26 and 17 yards. Tank Smith rushed for 214 yards on 24 carries and scored on an 8-yard run for the Indians. McKeesport had only 137 yards in total offense and turned the ball over seven times.
Class 4A semifinals
Thomas Jefferson 47, Blackhawk 7: Thomas Jefferson (11-0), the top seed and three-time defending champion, advanced to the WPIAL final for the 10th time in 16 years with this domination of the Cougars (10-2) at Peters Township. The Jaguars were led by Max Shaw, who rushed for 314 yards on 33 carries and scored on runs of 18, 11, 49, 2 and 39 yards. Shaw has 1,759 yards on 173 carries for the season. Shane Stump scored the Jaguars’ other touchdowns on two 1-yard sneaks. Thomas Jefferson accumulated 461 yards in total offense, including 379 yards on 55 rushing attempts. Blackhawk scored its only points on a 2-yard run by Josh Butcher. Thomas Jefferson will face South Fayette in the title game next Saturday at Heinz Field.
Class 3A semifinals
Aliquippa 42, Beaver Falls 14: The topseeded Quips (11-1) earned their 11th consecutive trip to the final with a win against the Tigers (9-3) in a semifinal game played at Ambridge. Avante McKenzie led Aliquippa with 144 yards on 20 carries and scored on runs of 3, 21, 1 and 3 yards. The Quips also scored on a 71-yard interception return by M.J. Devonshire and a 59-yard pass from Eli Kosanovich. Larry Walker picked off three passes for the Quips.
Derry 36, North Catholic 29: Derry (11-1) rallied from a 29-8 third-quarter deficit with four touchdowns to pull out a victory in a semifinal game played at Hempfield and advance to the WPIAL final for the first time since the school became a merger. Justin Flack scored three times for Derry on runs of 4 and 1 yards, and a 38-yard interception return with 1:47 left to clinch the victory. Derry’s Onreey Stewart led all rushers with 193 yards on 14 carries and scored on a 60 yard run. North Catholic (10-2) was led by Zack Rocco, who completed 15 of 22 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Both scoring passes were to Nikhai HillGreen and covered 5 and 49 yards.
Class 2A quarterfinals
South Side Beaver 32, Shady Side Academy 16: The No. 8-seeded Rams (9-3) knocked off the top-seeded Indians (10-1) in this quarterfinal game played at Montour. The Indians were without quarterback Skyy Moore, who had ankle surgery earlier in the day.
Charleroi 42, Mohawk 13: The Cougars (10-1) scored 35 unanswered in the third quarter to defeat the Warriors (9-3) in a quarterfinal game played at Moon. Geno Pellegrini scored twice on runs of 9 and 5 yards and connected with Evan McGuire on a 57-yard scoring pass for the Cougars.
Freedom 7, Burgettstown 6: The No. 7seeded Bulldogs (11-1) pulled off an upset in this quarterfinal game against the No. 2seeded Blue Devils (10-1) at Central Valley. Cody Ross scored Freedom’s only touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first quarter and Nick Dinardo added the extra point. Burgettstown was shut down throughout the game with their only points coming on field goals of 20 and 36 yards by Seth Phillis.