Woodland Hills relied on its dynamic two-back offensive attack to secure a return to the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals,
A trio of rushing touchdowns and 100-plus-yard efforts from Miles Sanders and Jo-El Shaw propelled the top-seeded Wolverines past No. 8 Bethel Park, 40-20, in quarterfinal action at West Mifflin High School.
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They will face fellow powerhouse No. 5 Central Catholic at 7:30 p.m. next week at a venue to be determined. The game will mark the fifth final four appearance in the past seven years and 15th since Woodland Hills opened in 1987.
A 10-yard first-quarter score by Sanders, a Penn State recruit, capped an offensive drive consisting of all rushing plays and gave the Wolverines (11-0) an early advantage they would keep for the remainder of the opening half.
Woodland Hills led, 21-7, at the break. Sanders entered halftime having rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns, then finished with a game-high 171.
His backfield accomplice Shaw contributed 64 rushing yards and a score in the first two quarters and racked up 138 by game's end.
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But after play resumed, the Blackhawks (7-4) launched a comeback, scoring 13 consecutive points to shrink their deficit to one. Quarterback Levi Metheny connected with tight end Jake Dixon through the air on a 9-yard play-action pass to pull within a point. But snap issues on the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt kept them from pulling even.
They would get no closer the rest of the game.
Shaw and Sanders responded with three touchdowns between them to double up their opponent.
It was Bethel Park's second loss to Woodland Hills this season. The Blackhawks lost, 28-23, in September at the Wolvarena.
First Published: November 14, 2015, 5:09 a.m.
