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Bogdanski puts nail in Aliquippa's playoff hopes

It's a Pennsylvania football rule by now. Never count out Rochester.

The Rams, a frequent visitor to the state finals, entered yesterday's District 7-A final with three losses, but left with 10 victories and another WPIAL title.

Clairton (11-2) fell behind 9-0, but scored with 31 seconds left in the half to close to 9-8, then took a 14-9 lead on Quentin Napper's 31-yard scoring pass from Andre Carr with 2:47 left in the third quarter.

But Rochester (10-3) came back on Dan Helbig's 38-yard pass from Derek Moye with 38 seconds remaining in the final quarter to make it 15-14. It was Moye's only pass of the game.

Rochester will play District 5-A champion Berlin-Brothersvalley (11-0) in the state quarterfinals this week. SELINSGROVE 20, JOHNSTOWN 7: Johnstown struck first on a 40-yard interception return by Reggie Farrior, but the host Seals (11-1) scratched back in a PIAA Class AAA first-round game.

The Selinsgrove defense had a great game, limiting Johnstown to 125 net yards. Johnstown star LaRod Stephens rushed 20 times for just 56 yards.

In other state playoff games, defending PIAA Class A and District 4 champion Southern Columbia moved to 12-0 by pasting District 2 champion Lackawanna Trail 40-14.

In other district championship games, Berwick claimed the District 2-11 AAA title with a 19-12 win over Pottsville.

Pius X knocked off unbeaten Cardinal Brennan 34-12 to win the District 11-A title while Grove City stunned Harbor Creek 33-7 in the 10-AA championship

"THE CHOPS".

Rams Recapture Gold - Win 5th Class (A) Title in 7 Years

The Rochester Rams just don’t lose on the big stage.

For the fifth time in the last seven years, Rochester came away with WPIAL gold as they slugged out a 15-14 win over the Clairton Bears. Rochester improved to 7-1 all time in WPIAL title games, where they haven’t lost since 1991.

For Rochester head coach Gene Matsook, it was his fourth championship at the helm of the Rams. Matsook's Rams (10-3)will face Berlin Brothersvally (11-0) in the PIAA Quarterfinals at a site and time to be determined.

It was Clairton's third-straight loss in the W.P.I.A.L. finals, having lost in 1990 and 1992, the latter to the Rams as well. Clairton and third-year head coach Tom Nola ended their season with a record of 11-2.

It was a game of tough defense, with Rochester’s defense coming up with two big fourth quarter stands to keep a hold of their one-point lead.

Trailing 15-14, Clairton took over at their own 35-yard line early in the fourth quarter. After quarterback Andre Carr connected with Mickey Schneider for a 39-yard pass play, the Bears had it first-and-ten at the Rochester 11-yard line. However, an illegal substitution penalty, followed by a Dana Brown seven yard loss, set Clairton in passing situations, and three such passes fell incomplete.

Clairton forced a quick Rochester punt, and after it traveled just 18 yards Clairton took over at the Rams 33-yard line with 7:40 left. Clairton sophomore quarterback Kenny Chapman came in on a critical third down to throw and 18-yard pass to Andre Carr for the Bears’ first down at the 12-yard line. Once again, the Rams defense held, holding Brown to a no-gain, stuffing Andre Carr for a 1-yard loss, and sacking Kenny Champman for an 11-yard setback. Rams’ defenders Marc Cureton and Tariq Taylor were responsible for the big tackles on those latter two plays. On fourth down, LeRoy George’s flanker pass was intercepted by Brent Whiteleather and Rochester ran out the clock.

A critical statistic in the game was turnovers, as Clairton had three while Rochester did not turn the ball over.

The Rams’ defense also held Clairton’s Dana Brown under 100-yards, as the talented tailback had 22 carries for 91 yards. Clairton quarterback Andre Carr was held to 12 carries for 47 yards, and the Bears were just 5 of 16 throwing the football for 103 yards.

The Clairton defense played equally as tough, holding Rochester to just 167 yards of total offense, including just 58 yards rushing on 37 carries. Rams’ leading rusher Brent Whiteleather had just 36 yards rushing on 20 carries.

In all, Clairton outgained Rochester 252 – 167, including 149 – 58 on the ground.

While Clairton battled poor field position in the first half, they took advantage of good position midway through the second half to get a score and their first lead of the game. Rochester punter Reon Hunter shanked a punt for only a net of 10 yards, which set up Clairton at the Rams 36-yard line. Nine plays and 4:52 later, the Bears got into the endzone with some razzle-dazzle, as Tom Nola called for a reverse option pass Dana Brown handing off to Andre Carr, who threw it 31 yards over the defense to a waiting Quinton Napper in the endzone. The Clairton score made it 14-9 Bears, but a 2-point pass failed.

The reverse-option pass followed a standard option pass that went for a TD but was called back on a holding penalty. Just prior to that, Clairton had converted on a fourth-and-one at the Rams 17 as Andre Carr just did get the necessary yardage.

After Clairton took the lead, Rochester answered right back with a quick TD drive of their own, and it turned out to be the game’s decisive score. Rams’ quarterback Cory Schleyer connected with Dan Helbig for a big 8-yard catch on a third-and-seven, and then 5 plays later the Rams used the halfback pass as well, Derek Moye going up-top 38 yards to Dan Helbig with just :19 left in the 3rd quarter to take the 15-14 lead.

It was a mistake-filled first half for Clairton, as they had two fumbles and another miscue inside their 20-yard line.

The first Clairton fumble came with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter, as Bears’ quarterback Andre Carr faked a dive handoff to fullback Paris Carr and started on an option run. However, Carr lost control of the football and Rochester defensive end Preston Norman recovered at the Clairton 15-yard line.

Rochester could not take advantage of the initial turnover, however, as the Bears defense came up with a goal line stand on four Rams’ running plays inside the 5-yard line. On third-and-goal from the 1, Brent Whiteleather tried to leap over center but was met and stuffed by Andre Carr. The Rams did not hesitate to keep the offense on the field on fourth down, but quarterback Cory Schleyer was tackled just prior to the goal line by Quinton Napper, and the Rams turned the ball over on downs.

On the very next play, Clairton coughed up the football again as Andre Carr fumbled the snap from center with the Bears’ offense set up at their one-yard line. Clairton fullback Deron Ford picked up the loose football and heaved it out of the endzone, but was flagged for intentional grounding and the Rams took a 2-0 lead on the automatic safety.

Rochester had good field position after the ensuing free kick, as they took over at the Clairton 48. After a 30-yard completion from Schleyer to Derek Moye, the Rams had first-and-ten at the Clairton 15-yard line. Once again, however, Rochester was stopped on a fourth down by the Clairton defense as a Cory Schleyer pass fell incomplete on fourth-and-four at the Clairton 9-yard line.

Clairton took over pinned deep in their own territory again, and fumbled for the third time three plays later as Andre Carr fumbled on an option run to the left. Rams defensive back Derek Moye caused the fumble with a big hit, and Todd Jarrett fell on the pigskin to set up first-and-ten for the Rams at the Clairton 20-yard line.

One play later, the Rams finally did find paydirt as Schleyer floated a pass over LeRoy George and into the arms on Derek Moye for the 20-yard TD strike with 6:34 left in the half.

Clairton’s offense got into gear before the half’s end, though, as several Andre Carr and Dana Brown runs set up a Brown 2-yard TD jaunt with just :31 left in the half. Clairton went for the two-point conversion, and were successful as Dana Brown’s pass to Deon Pompey was on target. The drive was a beautiful 10-play, five minute fifty-one second collection, and got Clairton within a point at 9-8 Rochester as the teams went to halftime.

Clairton 0 8 6 0 - 14
Rochester 0 9 6 0 - 15

Rochester 2nd (11:09) – Safety, Clairton called for intentional grounding in end zone.
Rochester 2nd (6:34) – Derek Moye 20-yard pass from Cory Schleyer (Reon Hunter kick)
Clairton 2nd (:31) – Dana Brown 2-yard run (Brown pass to Deon Pompey)
Clairton 3rd (2:47) – Quinton Napper 31-yard TD pass from Andre Carr (2-pt pass fail)
Rochester 3rd (:19) – Dan Helbig 38-yard TD pass from Derek Moye (2-pt pass fail)

"THE CHOPS".

In Class (AA):

Big First Quarter Propels Rebels to Title:

Something had to give. Aliquippa and Seton-LaSalle came into the WPIAL Class (AA) Championship with perfect (12-0) records. The Rebels feature the top passing attack in league history. The Quips pass defense prides itself on the take away. The Rebels struck for 21-first quarter points to take away the Quips momentum, and the early lead withstood a furious Aliquippa comeback, as Seton-LaSalle defeated Aliquippa 42-35 to capture its fifth W.P.I.A.L. title.

Seton-LaSalle quarterback Bill Stull hit Brandon Bogdanski for 18 and 12-yards scores, and then hit his favorite target Carmen Connolly for a 44-yard strike, and the Rebels jumped out to a 21-0 lead. Bogdanski would add a 1-yard run halfway through the second quarter and Seton-Lasalle had built a 28-point lead. “I was surprised we were able to score that easy, but not totally surprised that we did score because we came out ready to play,” said Seton-LaSalle Head Coach Lou Cerro. “It just happened too fast because there was a lot of football left to play, and Aliquippa is a good team.”

The Quips however, had no quit in them. Sjvante Gilliam threw two 35-yard touchdown passes in a 48-second span to bring Aliquippa within 15 points. Gilliam hit Mike Washington at the 5:04 mark. After a sack, fumble and recovery by Aliquippa’s Brandon Lindsey gave the Quips the ball back, Gilliam found Brandon Revis three plays later to make the score 28-13 after Seton-LaSalle blocked the extra point.

The Rebels would answer with 1:49 left before the half, as Stull threw his fourth TD pass of the first half, finding Connolly in the end zone from 12-yards out to make the score 35-13 at the half.

Back came the Quips in the second half. D’Von Jeter caught a 25-yard pass for a score from Gilliam on a throwback screen with 3:20 left in the third quarter, and Jeter capped off a 62-yard drive with a 2-yard run with 4:20 remaining. Rashawn Bolton caught a two-point conversion pass after Jeter’s first TD, and Marc Pellegrini’s point after cut the Rebels’ lead to 35-28.

Aliquippa would hold Seton-LaSalle and get the ball back at the Rebels’ 46-yard line with just over 3 minutes to play, but two offside penalties pushed the Quips back to their own 43. Gilliam tried to throw deep on third down but Seton-LaSalle’s Jon Guthrie intercepted at his own six-yard line. Two plays later, Bogdanski would score his fourth touchdown of the game with an 88-yard run that would give the Rebels a 42-28 lead 1:54 left. Bogdanski would finish the game with 5-catches for 66-yards, and 169-yards rushing on 25-carries.

“We thought we could create match up problems with Brandon on their linebackers,” said Cerro, “because his speed and ability to run after the catch are key.” Cerro also credited Bogdanski’s running ability as well. “Teams can’t key on stopping our passing attack, because Brandon gives us the ability to have a more balanced attack.” But Aliquippa would come back once more. Jeter’s third touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run capped off a 5-play, 64-yard drive, and made the score 42-35. Aliquippa would attempt an onside kick, but it did not travel the required 10-yards, and Seton-LaSalle would run out the clock to close out the game, and in the process take home their third AA Title.

Stull finished the game 19-of-35 passing, for 323-yards, giving the senior QB 3,125-yards on the season, making him the first ever WPIAL quarterback to throw for over 3,000-yards in a season. Connolly added to his record-breaking numbers as well. The senior wide receiver caught 9 passes for 178-yards, bringing his state record reception total to 112. He now has 1,543-yards receiving on the year. Bogdanski, who now has 38-receptions on the season, improved his season rushing total to 1,502-yards. Sjavante Gilliam was impressive in defeat for Aliquippa, throwing for 287-yards on 19 completions in 33 attempts.

The teams combined for 930-yards of offense, and the 77 total points was the most ever scored in a WPIAL championship game in any classification.

The loss snapped Aliquippa’s 21-game winning streak and also ended the Quips nine-game championship game win streak as well. Seton-LaSalle now moves onto the PIAA Playoffs, where they will face Tyrone next week.


Seton-LaSalle 21 14 0 7 - 42
Aliquippa 0 13 8 14 - 35

Seton-LaSalle 1st (9:59) – Brandon Bogdanski 18-yard pass from Bill Stull (Terrence Boland kick).
Seton-LaSalle 1st (5:24) – Bogdanski 12-yard pass from Stull (Boland kick)
Seton-LaSalle 1st (3:30) – Carmen Connolly 43-yard pass from Stull (Boland kick)
Seton-LaSalle 2nd (6:54) – Bogdanski 1-yard run (Boland kick)
Aliquippa 2nd (5:04) – Mike Washington 35-yard pass from Sjavante Gilliam (Marc Pelligrini kick)
Aliquippa 2nd (4:16) – Brandon Revis 35-yard pass from Gilliam (Kicked blocked)
Seton-LaSalle 2nd (1:49) – Connolly 12-yard pass from Stull (Boland kick)
Aliquippa 3rd (3:20) – D’Von Jeter 25-yd pass from Gilliam (Rashawn Bolton pass from Gilliam)
Aliquippa 4th (4:20) Jeter 2-yard run (Pelligrini kick)
Seton-LaSalle 4th (1:54) Bogdanski 88-yard run (Boland kick)
Aliquippa 4th (1:09) – Jeter 3-yard run (Pellegrini kick)

"THE CHOPS".

great writeup!!

Ditto. Thanks for the detail.

Did you catch the LaSalle guys season stats? They are outrageous! QB Stull is over 3200 yds and 40 tds on 228/368 passing THIS YEAR.Their top reciever has around 110 catches for close to 1500 yds. And the Bogdanski kid has 1502 yds rushing and close to 600 recieving and 25 total tds. Tyrone needs to run the ball and not just chew the clock, but swallow the darn thing.