Dec 15, 2013 By Eleanor Bailey 2 min read

South Fayette captured its first PIAA championship for football and the Lions did so in record fashion.

In blanking Imhotep Charter, 41-0, Dec. 15, at Hersheypark Stadium, the Lions, not only posted the largest margin of victory in Class AA history, their quarterback and his top target shattered single-season records.

Brett Brumbaugh threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns. With a 64-yard scoring strike to Justin Watson in the second stanza, the junior broke the WPIAL District 7 single-season passing mark. Ironically, his brother, Christian, held the record. The William and Mary quarterback set the mark in 2010, the last time the Lions were in the state finals.

Brumbaugh did most of his damage as did the Lions in the first half. He completed 16 of 23 aerials for 270 yards.

Watson, who set the single-season record for receptions/yards, caught six aerials for 126 yards in the first half as SF coasted to a 35-0 lead.

The Lions’ 35 points tied the record for most points by one team in a half during PIAA football action.

With two TD receptions, Watson tied a record by Mike Viglione of Dallas (1993) for a AA title. Meanwhile, Brumbaugh tied the mark for TD passes in a championship game. D.J. Lenehan of Wilson Area also had three in 2006 against Jeannette.

In addition to the two strikes to Watson, Brumbaugh completed a 53-yard TD to Logan Sharp. The touchdown gave the Lions a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

South Fayette scored its fourth TD on a 4-yard run by J.J. Walker with 56 seconds remaining in the first half. And, with 28 seconds left in the half, Conner Beck turned an interceptions into a 46-yard touchdown. The score invoked the “Mercy Rule” for the Lions against the Panthers in the second half.

SF tacked on a final score, a 9-yard TD run by Grant Fetchet, with six minutes remaining in the final frame.

Brian Coyne tied the record for most extra-point kicks in AA championship play. In the game, the senior placekicker had five points.