Upper St. Clair was just inches away from completing a late-game rally Friday night.
Needing only an extra point in the closing minutes of a Class 5A Allegheny Eight Conference clash against neighboring rival Bethel Park, the Panthers opted to go for the win but were stopped at the goal line. The Black Hawks held on to win, 14-13.
Despite trailing 14-0 at halftime, the Panthers (6-4, 4-3) scored in each of the final two quarters. Quarterback Ethan Dahlem rushed for a 1-yard score with 1:49 left in the game to put Upper St Clair within a point of the visiting Black Hawks (6-3, 5-2).
After a Bethel Park penalty on the ensuing extra-point attempt, Upper St. Clair opted to rush the ball but failed to penetrate the defensive stand.
Sean McGowan put the Black Hawks on the scoreboard in the first quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run. Jehvonn Lewis followed up with a 32-yard touchdown catch from Anthony Chiccitt in the second quarter. McGowan finished with 127 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Dahlem completed 20 of 27 passes for 181 yards for the Panthers. David Pantelis, the second leading receiver in the WPIAL, finished with 12 catches for 67 yards.
More 5A games
Peters Township 38, Baldwin 0: Josh Casilli scored three touchdowns as the No. 5-ranked Indians (9-1, 6-1) posted an Allegheny Eight Conference shutout against the host Highlanders (5-5, 4-3). Casilli, who rushed for two scores, finished with four receptions for 103 yards. Ryan Magiske led all rushers with 110 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Logan Pfeuffer completed 9 of 10 passes for 111 yards.
Moon 14, West Allegheny 12: The No. 3 Tigers (8-2, 6-1) not only slipped past the host Indians (3-6, 2-5) to finish as the Allegheny Eight Conference champions, but they also captured the program’s first conference title since 2003. Moon trailed, 12-7, at halftime.
Woodland Hills 42, Chartiers Valley 20: William Clark scored five touchdowns to lift the Wolverines (3-7, 1-6) to an Allegheny Eight Conference win against the host Colts (2-8, 0-7). Clark finished the game with 183 rushing yards on 21 carries. Chartiers Valley’s Andre Thomas rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Gateway 36, McKeesport 7: Derrick Davis scored three touchdowns to guide the No. 2 Gators (8-2, 5-1) to a Big East Conference victory against the host Tigers (7-3, 4-2). Bryson Venanzio completed 12 of 17 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown.
Penn-Trafford 21, Franklin Regional 0: Gabe Dunlap threw for 111 yards and a touchdowns as the top-ranked Warriors (9-1, 6-0) posted a Big East Conference shutout against the host Panthers (4-4, 3-3). Dunlap completed 10 of 12 passes. Penn-Trafford not only captured a conference championship while playing in the program’s 500th game, but it also posted its 300th victory. The Warriors now own an all-time record of 300-190-10.
Shaler 27, Fox Chapel 20: After trailing 13-7 in the third quarter, the Titans (4-6, 3-4) used a 20-point fourth quarter to knock off the host Foxes (4-6, 3-4) and earn a Northern Conference victory. Josh Miller finished with 115 rushing yards and two scores on 19 carries. Darin Mizgorski completed 13 of 20 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown. Fox Chapel’s Shane Susnak threw for 187 yards.
Kiski Area 35, Armstrong 26: Kenny Blake ran for 205 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries to help the host Cavaliers (5-5, 4-3) beat the Riverhawks (1-8, 0-7). Luke Lander followed up with 178 rushing yards and two scores on 30 carries.
Mars 27, Hampton 7: Teddy Ruffner ran for 135 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries to guide the Planets (6-4, 4-3) to a Northern Conference win against the host Talbots (2-8, 2-5). Luke Lindgren led Hampton with 140 rushing yards on 24 carries.
Connellsville 30, Albert Gallatin 6: Ky’ron Craggette’s 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns highlighted the visiting Falcons (2-8) non-conference victory against the Colonials (5-3).
First Published: October 26, 2019, 4:05 a.m.
