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Bethel Park, Chartiers Valley fall in playoff opener

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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Nolan DiLucia eludes tacklers as he scoots eight yards for a touchdown during Peters Township’s victory over Franklin Regional. DiLucia rushed for two scores and threw for three touchdowns in the 35-0 victory. He also went over 2,000 yards passing and stood at 2,168 yards on the season as the Indians improved to 11-0 overall.

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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Carter Shanafelt stretches for the reception. On this catch, he scored a 25-yard touchdown to help Peters Township to victory over Franklin Regional.

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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Preston Blair eludes tacklers and picks up yardage during Peters Township’s win over Franklin Regional in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Preston Blair pulls in a swing pass and rambles 26 yards for a Peters Township touchdown against Franklin Regional.

While Peters Township successfully embarked on its quest for a WPIAL championship with a 35-0 win against Franklin Regional, Bethel Park and Chartiers Valley ended their football seasons with first-round playoff losses to Pine-Richland, 51-5, and Mars, 44-19.

The Indians improved to 11-0 overall and faced conference rival Moon (6-5) on Nov. 10 for the right to participate in the Class 5A championship contest to be held at noon Nov. 18 at Norwin High School stadium.

In dispatching the Panthers (6-5), PT recorded its fifth shutout of the season. The Indians have outscored the opposition this season, 440-65, and boast the best defense in the WPIAL in points allowed (5.9 per game).

“Our guys are perfectionists on that side of the ball,” said PT skipper TJ Plack.

The Indians aren’t bad on offense either.

Nolan DiLucia went over the 2,000-yard mark for passing this fall in the win against Franklin Regional. He had 2,168 yards heading into the game against Moon.

The sophomore signal caller completed 18 of 27 passes for 233 yards and three scores – 17 yards to Preston Blair, 25 yards to Carter Shanafelt and 18 yards to Ethan Wertman. DiLucia also rushed for two touchdowns, measuring 9 and 37 yards.

While eight different players pulled in passes, Wertman was the top target with seven receptions for 100 yards.

Meanwhile, in BP’s lopsided loss to the Rams, Ryan Petras accounted for the lone score. The junior caught a 58-yard scoring strike from Tanner Pfeuffer.

While the Blackhawks finished 4-7 overall, Pine-Richland improved to 9-2 overall and met Penn Hills in the semifinals for the right to compete in championship. The Rams are the defending champions. They also won the 2020 title against Peters Township.

CV held a brief lead in its playoff game, thanks to a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Chase Schofield, but the Planets reeled off seven unanswered scores to salt away the victory.

For the Colts, who finished the year at 3-8 overall, Rudy Morris grabbed a 34-yard scoring strike from Michael Lawrence and Austin Efthimiades added a 9-yard touchdown.

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