Shady Side Academy won its first playoff game since 2011.
But it was not easy for the No. 1 seed Friday night.
Shady Side Academy (10-0) held off a Serra Catholic rally to edge the Eagles, 22-20, in the WPIAL 2A first round.
The Indians, champions of the Allegheny Conference, entered the playoffs on a roll. They had won every regular-season game by at least 18 points while averaging a five-touchdown scoring advantage over its opponents this season.
Shady Side Academy led, 22-0, in the first quarter. Dino Tomlin returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring for the Indians, followed by Tomlin’s 60-yard interception return for a touchdown. Ronan O’Connor also added a 30-yard scoring run.
But Serra came back, beginning with Mat Ulishney’s 99-yard interception return late in the second quarter. Jayvon Holt added a 1-yard touchdown run for Serra, followed by Holt’s 20-yard touchdown reception from Patrick Brennan.
The difference in the game was a 2-point safety for Shady Side Academy in the first quarter.
More Class 2A
Steel Valley 49, Beth-Center 0: The host Ironmen (9-1) blanked Beth-Center (7-4), which had been averaging 33 points per game in the regular season. Kam Williams led Steel Valley with 225 yards rushing on 13 carries. Williams scored on runs of 82, 25 and 28 yards. He also caught a 44-yard scoring pass from Ronnell Lawrence, who passed for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Todd Hill added 101 yards and two touchdowns for the Ironmen.
Freedom 24, Avonworth 21: The host Bulldogs (10-1) used the trio of Jake Pail (137 yards rushing), Zach Rosa (104 yards) and Cody Ross (99 yards) to grind out a narrow win over the visiting Antelopes (7-4). Derek Johncour led Avonworth, passing for 274 yards after going 15 of 30 through the air. A 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter by Nick DiNardo proved to be the difference in the game.
Washington 54, New Brighton 20: The host Little Prexies (10-1) rushed for 406 yards in downing New Brighton (5-6). The defending WPIAL champions were led by Zack Swartz’s 205 yards passing and two touchdowns, coupled with 144 yards rushing by Zahmere Robinson on just five carries. Robinson also caught six passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Dan Walker added 96 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.
South Side Beaver 36, McGuffey 27: The host Rams (8-3) eliminated the Highlanders (8-3). Christian Clutter’s 67-yard run gave McGuffey a 27-23 lead in the third quarter, but South Side Beaver rallied when Trenton Seik scored on a 1-yard run, followed by Derek Franchek’s 17-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Charleroi 35, Riverside 21: The host Cougars (9-1) claimed the program’s first playoff victory in 20 years with a convincing victory over the Panthers (6-4).
Mohawk 48, Seton LaSalle 0: The Warriors (9-2) won their first playoff game since 2005 by trouncing the visiting Rebels (5-6). It is Mohawk’s fourth shutout this season.
Burgettstown 33, East Allegheny 10: The Blue Devils (10-0) remained unbeaten with a home win against East Allegheny (6-5). Shane Kemper rushed for 107 yards to lead Burgettstown. The Blue Devils outgained the Wildcats on the ground, 280-13.
Class 1A
Jeannette 18, Monessen 14: The top-seeded Jayhawks (11-0) edged the Greyhounds (7-3) in a quarterfinal contest at Hempfield. Seth Howard threw two touchdown passes for Jeannette, which was deadlocked at halftime, 8-8. Devin Whitlock scored both Monessen touchdowns on two 1-yard runs. Emilio Huerta added a 27-yard field goal for Jeannette.
Clairton 27, California 17: The Bears (9-1) rebounded from their first loss of the season while snapping the five-game winning streak of the Trojans (6-5) at Elizabeth Forward.
Rochester 52, West Greene 14: The Rams (10-1) won their seventh consecutive game in an easy victory against West Greene (7-4). The contest was played at Waynesburg. Noah Whiteleather rushed for 254 yards on 23 carries and scored two touchdowns. Darius Goosby rushed for 152 yards on 18 carries and scored four touchdowns. West Greene is still searching for its first playoff win since reaching the WPIAL 1A final in 1993.
Our Lady Sacred Heart 60, Imani Christian 6: No. 2 OLSH (10-1) was led by Tyler Bradley’s 230 yards rushing and Austin Wigley’s 105 yards rushing in a contest that was played at Moon. Wigley scored on 1-yard and 26-yard runs. He also scored on a 29-yard pass from Bradley, who completed 16 of 27 attempts. Bradley found Ricco Tate to be his favorite target. Tate finished with five catches for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
First Published: November 3, 2018, 4:14 a.m.
