Photo by Mike Longo Jr.
Raiders Shamar Wilson intercepts a pass in the Cornell win over Monessen 33-0 in round one of the WPIAL Playoffs.WPIAL FOOTBALL WEEK 9
CORNELL 31, Monessen 0
By Mike Longo Jr.
The Cornell Raiders football team has been sending a message all season. Unfortunately for the Monessen Greyhounds, they heard it loud and clear in Round 1 of the WPIAL Playoffs.
Monessen was on the receiving end of a totally dominant Raiders offense that forced them out of the postseason in the first round.
In turn, Monessen’s offense could not get off the ground during the 33-0 shutout throttling.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Raiders finally woke up four minutes into the second and crossed pay dirt. The Raiders struck again with another touchdown with 4:10 left until halftime. On the next Monesson possession, Cornell's defense took command, intercepting a pass and returning their high-powered offense back to the field. It took just 18 seconds since their last score for Cornell to blast into the endzone and add to their scorecard once again.
Entering the third quarter, the Raiders defense continued to wreak havoc on Monessen, stopping running backs dead in their tracks, while the secondry deflected numerous passes meant for would-be receivers. Cornell would add another score at 8:17 in the third, and one more touchdown in the final stanza to seal the deal.
Five Cornell players contributed points in the shutout victory. Sincere Kimbrough scored on a 34-yard run, Shamar Wilson hauled in a Kimbrough pass of 43 yards for score number two.
Tim Hendersen padded the lead with a 4-yard touchdown run and Ed Dawson Jr. punched it in from one yard out. Raequan Troutman rounded out the scoring with a 42-yard run.
WPIAL FOOTBALL WEEK 9
ARMSTRONG 27, MONTOUR 16
In the first round of Class 4A playoff action, the Montour Spartans held onto a slim 16-14 lead over Armstrong at the intermission, before slipping behind and losing the game. While the Spartans were held scoreless for the second half, Armstrong elevated its game, scoring a pair of touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters to secure a first round win on Nov. 5.
Despite the result, the Spartans have some game take-aways. Quarterback Jake Wolfe connected on 7 of 14 passes for 59 yards and picked up 56 rushing yards, while Brock Janeda made 8 carries for 26 yards. Caleb Williams contributed in a big way, picking up 58 yards on 12 carries and scoring both Montour touchdowns.
WPIAL FOOTBALL WEEK 10
OLSH 28, CENTRAL CATHOLIC 8
After scoring a single touchdown in the first stanza, the Chargers kept up their momentum to land a decisive win in the first round of the Class 1A play-off Nov. 5. Stepping up their game in the second half, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart reached paydirt three times, once in the third and twice in the fourth quarter, delivering a huge win that will carry them to round two.
The Chargers spread out the scoring in a balanced offensive attack. Four Chargers crossed the goal line: Ziggy McIntosh on an 18-yard pass from Nehemiah Azeem - who also completed a 1-yard touchdown run of his own - B.J. Vaughn Jr. delivered a 27-yard scoring run and Brandon Brazell brought home a 2-yard scamper.
WPIAL FOOTBALL WEEK 10
STO-ROX 61, SHADYSIDE ACADEMY 8
Sto-Rox throttled Shadyside Academy 61-8 in the first round of the 2A playoffs Nov. 5.
Running back Jaymar Pearson rushed for 225 yards on fourteen carries and scored four touchdowns.
Quarterback Josh Jenkins completed 10 of 15 passes for 272 yards and
three touchdowns, taking him beyond 1000 passing yards for the season above 2500 in his career record.
Jaymont Green-Miller caught two touchdown passes and made an interception.
–Sto-Rox report compiled by Ken Hohman