Local teams drop out of WPIAL football playoffs
The 2016 football season came to heartbreaking endings for Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, South Fayette and Upper St. Clair.
After capturing their first conference championship since 2012, the Blue Devils dropped a 49-43 decision to Seneca Valley (7-3) in the first round of the WPIAL Class 6-A playoffs. Lebo finished the year at 7-4 overall.
In the loss, James Stocker threw for 365 yards and five touchdowns. Patrick Moeller was the top target with 12 receptions for 122 yards and scores of 24 and 23 yards. Jack Young pulled in eight aerials for 116 yards and a 49-yard touchdown. Edgar Parilla grabbed two scoring strikes of 18 and 55 yards. Stocker also had a 20-yard TD for the Blue Devils, who fell behind, 21-7, to start the contest.
A field goal as time expired led to Bethel Park’s demise against Pine-Richland, 35-32. Vito Orsini nailed a 27-yard field goal to thwart the Hawks’ comeback and end their season at 5-5 overall.
BP trailed 29-18 before waging a comeback with 6:43 to play. Cole Rogers led the uprising, finding Jeremy Wodarek and Zac Taylor for 16- and 10-yard scoring strikes in the fourth frame. Rogers completed 15 of 22 passes for 199 yards. Taylor had seven receptions for 113 yards and an additional score of 15 yards in the second stanza. Jeremy Lazzari and Rogers rushed for the other touchdowns.
Seeded second in the Quad-A playoffs, South Fayette was upended by New Castle, 51-43. The Lions had previously beaten the Hurricanes, 37-13, when they ran the table in securing the Northwest Nine Conference championship. The Lions finished 10-1 overall.
In the loss, Drew Saxton completed 14 of 30 passes for 277 yards but the Lions could not overcome a slow start when they fell behind, 24-0, by halftime. Noah Plack caught two TD aerials of 35 and 6 yards while Dan Trimbur grabbed a 46-yard scoring strike. Johnny Beck rushed for three scores of 6, 6 and 3 yards. Trimbur had the extra points and Saxton hooked up with Mike Speca for the final 2-point conversion.
USC’s season came to a halt when the Panthers lost to McKeesport, 31-10. It was USC’s second loss to the Tigers this year. USC lost, 28-20, back on Oct. 14 in a non-conference contest. The Panthers finished the year at 6-4 overall.
In defeat, USC managed only a 25-yard field goal from Jeff Howard and a 4-yard TD reception by Nick Toosi. Jack Hansberry led the offensive attack. The junior completed 11 of 18 passes for 137 yards.