Central Catholic’s 6th WPIAL Title Comes in First 6-A Finals

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, November 19, 2016 | 12:31 AM

Pittsburgh Central Catholic used its tried and true formula – a power running attack and suffocating defense – along with crucial special teams plays to secure the first 6A football title in WPIAL history, defeating Seneca Valley 42-7 at Heinz Field. In the process, the top-seeded Vikings (12-1) claimed their second-straight championship, and sixth in team history. All of the previous titles for Central Catholic came in Class Quad-A.

While the sixth-seeded Raiders stayed within striking distance for the first half, the Vikings pulled away in the third frame. Behind an offensive line that includes five Division I prospects (CJ Thorpe, Kurt Hinish, Jacob Hinish, Donovan Slater and Jake Trautman) the Vikings were nearly unstoppable on the ground. Central Catholic accumulated 360 yards rushing and four scores. Conversely, Seneca Valley could muster only 47 yards rushing, and 222 yards of total offense.

With a 21-7 edge at the half, the Vikings scored on their first two drives of the third quarter courtesy of a 12-play, 80-yard drive, and a six-play, 54-yard drive. The Vikings were particularly successful when employing their jumbo backfield, which included Notre Dame Commit David Adams, David Green, and 370-pound Jamain Stephens. That massive trio helped pave the way for quarterback Troy Fisher and running back JJ Younger to each score on 4-yard carries less than five minutes apart in the third stanza.

With just less than seven minutes remaining in the contest, Central Catholic reserve John Rielly put the game into the mercy rule with a 33-yard scamper into the end zone.

While the final score was lopsided, the Raiders (8-4) nearly matched the Vikings in yardage in the first half, with the Vikings holding just a 16 yard edge, 196-180. The special teams play was the difference in the first half, though, as the Vikings had a pair of return touchdowns, while the Raiders missed two field goals.

After scoring on a 14-yard Younger run in the first quarter, Central Catholic extended its lead to 14-0 nearly midway through the second quarter, as Justice Evans produced a highlight-reel punt return that spanned 66 yards.

The upset-minded Raiders pulled within a score courtesy of a Payton Skalos 5-yard touchdown reception from Jack Cook, however, after Cook faked a punt and ran for a first down earlier in the drive.

That drive covered 70 yards in 11 plays, but the momentum gained by the Raiders was short lived. JJ Younger took the ensuing kickoff 82 yards to restore the Vikings’ 14-point edge with just less than two minutes remaining in the half.

Keyed by three Vikings’ turnovers in the first half, Seneca Valley had the majority of its offensive plays in Central Catholic’s territory, but the Raiders managed just seven points. To that point, SV’s first drive ended with a missed 39-yard field goal by Dylan Good. Early in the second stanza, the Raiders punted, but a ball ricocheted of Central Catholic’s Rodney Thomas, and SV’s Jacob Holl recovered at the 12. The offense failed to capitalize, however, and Seneca Valley’s other kicker, Tanner Sherry, missed a 30-yard attempt.

Central Catholic’s Younger paced the Vikings attack with 136 yards rushing, while the massive David Green contributed 83 yards, and Fisher added 52 yards. Fisher completed five of his 10 passing attempts for 73 yards, with Evans accounting for 57 of those yards.

For the Raiders, Cook converted 21 of his 35 passing attempts for 175 yards. His favorite target was the diminutive Skalos, who hauled in 12 passes for 98 yards.

The Vikings will next turn their sights to the PIAA 6A postseason, as they will head on the road to face District 4 Champion Williamsport next weekend.

Score By Quarter
Seneca Valley               0 – 7 – 0 – 0 = 7
Central Catholic            7 – 14 – 14 – 7 = 42

3rd Quarter
7:07 CC Troy Fisher 4 run (Matthew Olon kick)
2:26 CC JJ Younger 4 run (Matthew Olon kick)
 

4th Quarter
6:56 CC John Rielly 33 run (Matthew Olon kick)