Clairton flashes potential with dominant win against Leechburg
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Friday, September 22, 2023 | 10:33 PM
Clairton’s Michael Ruffin stiff-arms Leechburg’s Jesse McMillen and McMillen was called for a face mask penalty in the first quarter Friday.
Clairton’s Dra-seer Jones defends on a pass intended for Leechburg’s Jake Cummings in the second quarter Friday.
Leechburg’s Jayden Floyd makes one-handed diving interception on a ball intended for Clairton’s Taris Wooding in the second quarter Friday.
Leechburg’s Matt Williams grabs the jersey of Clairton’s Dra-seer Jones in the first quarter Friday.
Leechburg’s Jayden Floyd makes a diving interception on a ball intended for Clairton’s Taris Wooding in the second quarter Friday.
Clairton’s Dra-seer Jones causes Leechburg’s Tim Andrasy to fumble on the opening kickoff Friday.
Clairton’s Jaece Booker blocks the pass attempt of Leechburg’s Jayden Floyd in the first quarter Friday.
Clairton’s Michael Ruffin cuts back on Leechburg’s Brandin Gilmer on Friday.
Leechburg’s Jayden Floyd stiff-arms Clairton’s Jaece Booker in the first quarter Friday.
Clairton’s Aze-Mear Correll pulls in a pass past Leechburg’s Tim Andrasy in the third quarter Friday.
Clairton is showing near the midway point of the football season it can overcome many things.
In fact, a young Bears team is showing some of the grit its championship-winning predecessors showed for years.
The Bears’ big-play offense was on display again Friday night as they rolled to a 42-14 Eastern Conference victory over Leechburg.
Clairton (3-2, 2-0) scored points in bunches despite 24 penalties for 209 yards.
“We’re a pretty good football team,” veteran Bears coach Wayne Wade said. “Even with, what, almost 300 yards in penalties? We were still able to put up 42 points.”
Junior running back Drahcir Jones was spectacular, racking up 108 yards on 20 carries. For the second week in a row, the Bears offense scored from just about anywhere on the field.
Jones added a touchdown run and reception in the win.
“We were able to get some of our linemen back this week,” Wade said. “It showed up front a little bit. (Leechburg) was gassed a little bit. As long as we keep getting better, we should be fine.”
It looked early on like Clairton would win going away.
After recovering the opening kickoff on a Leechburg fumble, the Bears used the short field to their advantage, capping the drive with a 13-yard run by Jones.
Moments later, on Leechburg’s first offensive play, the Bears defense picked off Jayden Floyd, and again, with a short field, capped it off with a Donte Wright run.
Wright later left the game with an injury, paving the way for Jones to carry the load for a power rushing attack.
Floyd got Leechburg (3-1, 1-1) back into it with a touchdown run of his own, but moments later, the big-play ability of the Bears showed up when Michael Ruffin scooted 80 yards to make it 20-7.
Floyd, who finished with 100 yards passing and 105 on the ground, couldn’t find top target Jake Cummings until the game was out of reach.
Clairton’s defense had done its homework.
“Our defense is fast and skilled, guys are flying around,” Wade said. “It showed this year in 7-on-7, and I know a lot of guys don’t show stock in 7-on-7, but it’s a skill game and we really did well this summer, so we expected to see some of those things.”
Clairton will take on Greensburg Central Catholic next week, and Leechburg will battle Frazier.
Wade is hoping his team will be at full strength the remainder of the season.
A scary thought considering how potent they’ve been despite the penalties and being short-handed.
“We sat a couple guys this week,” Wade said. “They got banged up trying to get ready for next week, so hopefully we go into next week with a full tank.”
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