Upper St. Clair takes undefeated record to Woodland Hills
After recovering to defeat Baldwin, 28-21, Upper St. Clair takes to the road again and takes its undefeated, 3-0, record to Turtle Creek to battle Woodland Hills at 7 p.m. Sept. 14.
Against the Highlanders (2-1, 0-1), USC overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to win its second Allegheny Eight Conference contest.
Antonio Orsini led the uprising. He rushed for a game-high 164 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries to bring his season totals to 341 yards on 59 carries.
Though his 11-yard scamper into the end zone gave the Panthers a brief, first-frame advantage, he spearheaded the comeback with a 2-yard score in the third quarter and a 35-yard TD run with eight minutes to play in the game.
Less than a minute later, Chris Pantelis lifted USC into the lead when he returned a punt 60 yards into the end zone.
With Baldwin outgaining USC, 275-219, in offensive yardage, the Panthers relied on its defense for victory. Jake Slinger led the way with nine solo and one assisted tackle. Colin McLinden and Brandon Shearer combined for seven tackles each. Harvey Rauch had three solo and three assisted tackles and Nate Ripley had four solo tackles.
To date, Jason Sweeney has completed 31 of 60 aerials for six scores and 451 yards. His top targets have been the Pantelis brothers: Chris with 13 receptions for 223 yards and four scores and David with 11 catches for 179 yards and two TDs.