South Side lives up to top seed, takes care of Greensburg Central Catholic

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, November 10, 2023 | 10:30 PM

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Have run, will travel.

South Side’s well-oiled wing-T rushing attack was as advertised Friday night — complemented by a hint of pinpoint passing at the right times— in the WPIAL Class A football quarterfinals.

The top-seeded Rams ran for 280 yards and seven touchdowns and rolled over No. 8 Greensburg Central Catholic, 48-21, at Confluence Financial Partners Stadium in Peters Township.

Ryan Navarra and Brody Almashy rushed for three touchdowns each as the Rams (12-0) returned to the semifinals, where they will play No. 4 Clairton (10-2).

Of the Rams’ 76 touchdowns this season, 62 have come on the ground.

Samir Crosby threw a touchdown, ran for one and caught one for GCC (8-4), which had not been to the quarterfinals since 2011.

He moved to quarterback in the second half, and Tyree Turner went to receiver, a move that sparked the Centurions.

“They said in the paper they were going to come out and punch us in the mouth,” said a pleased-but-perturbed South Side coach Luke Travelpiece. “Well, we punched them in the mouth. Our third teamers got some great experience against their starters. Why (GCC) still had their starters in in the fourth quarter, I don’t know.”

Said GCC coach JT Thompson: “We’re not going to give up. Even when it’s 42-7, we’re looking for a way to come back. You’re playing to win the game.”

Multiple ball carriers cut and dashed through the line as the Rams’ deceptive scheme pushed ahead.

Navarra rushed for 113 yards, Andrew Corfield added 70 and Almashy added 59 and also passed for 88 yards.

“They don’t have the biggest kids, but they run the ball so well,” Thompson said. “They are fast and quick, and their kids run hard.”

Turner faced constant pressure and was sacked twice in the first half by JD Roy, Casey Lewis and Chase Knox.

Navarra’s 3-yard score just before the half gave the Rams a 28-7 lead going into the half.

Almashy called his own number and delivered a nasty stiff-arm on an 18-yard TD early in the third.

Navarra’s third score, a 14-yard burst, made it 42-7 and started the running clock with 2 minutes, 57 seconds left in the third.

Some role reversal gave GCC a spark late in the third.

Crosby moved to quarterback, Turner went to receiver and the pair hooked up three times for 90 yards on a drive, including a 40-yard scoring strike to make it 42-14.

“It was nice to get Tyree the ball in his last game,” Crosby said. “That connection got us going a little bit.”

Crosby, who was 5 of 9 for 152 yards, added a late TD run to cap the scoring for GCC. He rushed for 50 yards and caught four passes for 67 yards.

Turner caught four balls for 125 yards and passed for 86 yards, a score and two interceptions.

“They were getting so much pressure on us,” Thompson said. “We’ve had a package in there for Samir all season. We said this is the time to use it.”

Was Crosby making plays under center a glimpse into GCC’s future?

“I hope so,” Crosby said. “(South Side) ran the (wing-T) offense the best I’ve ever seen anyone run it. I hope we get back next year and see them again.”

Slayton Williams opened the scoring for the Rams with a 12-yard touchdown run to cap an 11-play drive.

Crosby followed a one-handed highlight catch from Turner with a 21-yard touchdown grab to make it 7-7 early in the second quarter.

Despite losing a fumble — recovered by GCC’s Cam Petrunak — South Side held as a pair of penalties forced GCC to punt.

“That was big there,” Thompson said of the penalties.

The punt never happened, though, as Andrew Corfield blocked the try by Crosby at midfield.

“That was a miscommunication,” Thompson said. “We let a guy through and he blocked it.”

Almashy hit Williams for a 29-yard gain then scored on a short run to put the Rams up 14-7.

Crosby’s big kick return was dashed when Turner was intercepted by Ben Bird.

Another pass, Almashy to Carter Wilson for 30 yards, set by Navarra for a 10-yard rushing TD and a 21-7 lead.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., South Side