2008 PIAA Football State Championship Recaps

December 12th, 2008


Single A Championship:
Steel-High 35 Clairton 16

Quick Snap: A 27 point 3rd quarter propels Steel High to their second consecutive state title.






Key Player Review:

Steel High: Jeremiah Young, RB- Young was hampered by a sore ankle for the game, so he was limited to 81 yards on the ground.
Clairton: Deontae Howard, RB- Howard had a good game on the ground, getting 104 yards. Steel High was able to keep him out of the end zone, though.

Key Matchup Review:

Clairton Linebackers vs. Jeremiah Young -
Again, Young's productivity was limited, so this didn't end up being the back breaker for Clairton.

MW Analysis: This was a fun game to get the weekend started. Started out close, then Steel-High blew it away. Their fans were great the entire game and when Steel-High won, it felt like a party out there. Clairton Tight End Troy Webb subbed as the quarterback and did a pretty good job out there all things considered. Jordan Smith's kick return for a touchdown that tied the game at 8 was the most important score; to that point, Steel-High wasn't doing so swell.

AAA Championship:
Thomas Jefferson 34
Archbishop Wood 7

Quick Snap: Thomas Jefferson uses a potent air attack to win their third state title this decade.











Key Player Review:

Thomas Jefferson: Tyler Wehner, QB- Wehner turned out to indeed be the key player for Jefferson, whether it was using his arms or his legs. He finished with 3 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns.

Archbishop Wood: Sean McCartney, QB- McCartney did what he could to help the Vikings, including converting on a fake punt and passing for the team's only touchdown. But Jefferson's defense was just too fast and forced him into throwing three picks.

Key Matchup Review: Wood's defensive backs against Jefferson's receivers -
Jefferson won this matchup, as their receivers made some nice catches in the game and of course, the three td's from Wehner.

MW Analysis: Jefferson showed why they have been such a powerhouse this decade. Wood had a tremendous season and were overlooked too many times, but their first foray into the State tournament ends on a sour note to a better team. Brock Decicco is mega tall and showed great hands in this game. He'll do very well as a Pitt Panther.

December 13th, 2008

AA Championship:
Wilmington 35 West Catholic 34

Quick Snap: Wilmington captures title after West Catholic's overtime attempt for 2 falls short











Key Player Review:

Wilmington: Derrick Burns, RB- Burns had a solid enough game on the ground, along with 2 touchdowns - one of which turned out to be the game winner.

West Catholic: Curtis Drake, QB- Drake had flashes of the brilliance that he's shown all season, but he also made a few mistakes, including an interception when the game was 14-7 that led to Wilmington tying the game at 14. Nonetheless, Drake played his heart out.

Key Matchup Review: Wilmington's Defense vs. West Catholic's 3 Headed Monster (Drake, Raymond Maples, Rob Hollomon) -

The big three got their numbers and each one scored at least one touchdown. But Wilmington made sure that the three didn't go crazy overboard with production like they have been able to do all year.


MW Analyis: This turned out to be one of the best high school football games I've ever seen. Just pulse pounding the minute Wilmington made it a 14-7 game in the third quarter. Shane Wagner's 4th down run in overtime to score a touchdown was the best play of the season. That took a lot of guts to run with that ball. Having followed West Catholic since training camp, it was tough to see the guys suffering through the disappointment of the close loss. But I hope they keep their heads high, as they represented their school and the city of Philadelphia as well as anyone could ask for.

Key Player Review:

Liberty: Anthony Gonzales, QB - Gonzales was a nightmare for the Bethel Park defense, scrambling all over the place, completing a few passes when needed, and getting the game ending interception.

Bethel Park: John Schademan, WR- Schademan was not able to do much in the receiving game, mainly because the focus for Bethel Park was giving Lyle Marsh (RB) the ball (195 yards on the ground).

Key Matchup Recap: Liberty's Offensive Line vs. Bethel Park Defensive Line -

I wrote that if Liberty's offensive line was allowed to dominate like they did against North Penn, Bethel Park would be in trouble. Well, they didn't dominate, but they opened up the holes necessary for Gonzales to carve up Bethel Park for over 200 yards on the ground.

MW Analysis: This was a tremendous game and a great way to close the 2008 varsity football season. The crowd for this game was insane, and it had the proper big-game atmosphere from the beginning. Gonzales is definitely one of the most exciting players in Pennsylvania. This was a rock solid football game, not many penalties or mistakes. Just good football. And again, the 2008 varsity football season couldn't have ended any better.




Images - Mike Young

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