South Fayette recovers to beat South Park
Nick Ponikvar (No. 2) makes a reception that ended up in a score for South Fayette during the Lions 39-21 victory against South Park. Ponikvar made seven grabs for 174 yards and two touchdowns measuring 45 and 26 yards.
Nick Ponikvar (No. 2) celebrates after a touchdown reception against South Park. The junior had seven catches for 174 yards and two scores of 45 and 26 yards to help propel South Fayette to victory, 39-21, against the Eagles in WPIAL Class AA quarterfinal playoff action.
South Fayette exploded for 26 points in the final 15 minutes of action to overcome an eight-point deficit and defeat South Park, 39-21, in a WPIAL Class AA quarterfinal football playoff game at Peters Township Stadium.
With the victory, the Lions stretched their winning streak to 27 games and advanced to a semifinal showdown with Century Conference foe, Seton-La Salle, a 28-21 winner against Highlands. The Rebels (10-1) and Lions met in week eight of the regular season back on Oct. 17 with South Fayette posting a 41-14 win.
For the first time, since last year’s PIAA semifinal, South Fayette trailed at halftime, 14-13, against the Eagles. In fact, South Park expanded its advantage over the Lions to 21-13 to start second-half action when it took the kick-off and scored on a six-yard run by Nick Scholle. The senior quarterback also rushed for a one-yard score with 21.7 seconds left in the first half. Scholle rushed for 135 yards on 21 carries. He completed just three of 11 passes for 14 yards.
Adam Staudt put the Eagles on the scoreboard when he raced 40 yards into the end zone with 3:22 to play in the second stanza. Staudt finished with 104 yards on 29 carries.
In the second half, however, South Fayette reversed its first-half misfortune, which feature many dropped passes and a critical fumble deep inside the red zone.
After the Eagles failed to convert a South Fayette turnover, the Lions embarked on their comeback. Brett Brumbaugh tossed a 40-yard scoring strike to Dan Trimbur with 2:28 to play in the third quarter. Brumbaugh then completed the two-point conversion by hooking up with Ryan Schmider.
Shortly after Hunter Hayes recovered a South Park fumble, Brumbaugh connected with Nick Ponikvar for a 26-yard touchdown seven seconds into the final frame. The duo paired up again with 8:56 to play. Ponikvar pulled in a 45-yard scoring strike.
Another Eagle fumble, this one recovered by Brett Beltz, enabled the Lions to tack on yet another touchdown, this one a seven-yard sprint into the end zone by J.J. Walker.
Walker scored South Fayette’s first touchdown. After completions to Ponikvar and Trimbur, coupled with a pass interference penalty, Walker bolted four yards into the end zone at the 6:15 mark in the first frame.
The Lions stretched their lead to 13-0 when Hayes rushed for the second score with 7:42 to play in the first half. Again receptions by Ponikvar and Trimbur put the Lions in scoring position. Hayes finished with 87 yards rushing on 16 carries.
Ponikvar led all receivers with seven grabs for 174 yards and two scores. Schmider managed five catches for 72 yards.
Brumbaugh completed 18 of 34 aerials for 382 yards. His performance pushed him over the 10,000-yard passing mark for his career.
SLS beats Highlands
Seton-La Salle (10-1) handed Highlands (10-1) its first loss of the season, 28-21, at Valley Memorial Stadium and advanced to the Final Four in the WPIAL Class AA football tournament. The Rebels will play rival South Fayette (11-0) on Nov. 14 for the right to play in the championship game set for Nov. 21 at Heinz Field.
Tyler Perone paced the Rebels offensively. The senior signal caller threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns, 28 yards to Paris Ford and 38 yards to Danzel McKinley-Lewis. Perone also scrambled for a 12-yard score.
McKinley-Lewis had the gamewinner, a 13-yard touchdown on a reverse to start the final quarter. Perone set up the score with a 33-yard completion to Bill O’Malley.
Although hobbled by an ankle injury, Elijah Jackson rushed for one score of one yard and caught a 30-yard pass for another touchdown. He finished with eight receptions for 125 yards. Brayden Thimons threw for 139 yards and a touchdown for the Rams.