WPIAL Plays of the Week – Week Ten 2017

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, November 7, 2017 | 9:19 PM

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Last week marked the beginning of the WPIAL football playoffs, with first-round games taking place in Class 1A and 2A, while the four highest classifications had quarterfinal matchups. While some tilts were decided by halftime, the majority of the games were competitive, and several featured thrilling conclusions. The top four plays include a winning field goal as time expired in 2A, a game-clinching interception in the 5A Championship rematch, a long touchdown pass in the final minutes in 4A, and a touchdown run that allowed the top seed in 5A to avoid an upset.

1. Burgettstown 31, Neshannock 28

The Blue Devils produced a strong start to the season, but sputtered down the stretch. As a result, Burgettstown had to travel to Neshannock for the first round. The teams were deadlocked with just seconds left, but Burgettstown drove into the red zone, setting up a field-goal attempt. From 37-yards, kicker Seth Phillis connected to give the Blue Devils the win at the buzzer.

WJST-AM 1280’s James Dotson and Lee Mohn provide the call for the winning kick that gave Burgettstown it’s first playoff win in nearly 40 years:

2. McKeesport 22, West Allegheny 21

With the unforgettable game the Tigers and Indians had in last year’s 5A Championship, it was only fitting that this year’s version came down to the wire, too. McKeesport was successful on a two-point conversion earlier in the contest, while West Allegheny missed an extra point. Trailing by one, the Indians drove into McKeesport territory in the final minute. Kam Kruze’s pass was interception by Devin Sims, however, giving the Tigers the W.

The Trib Live High School Sports Networks Cory Campano and Steve Nagler paint the picture of the clinching defensive play with just 51 seconds remaining:

3. Montour 35, New Castle 31

In a rematch from the regular season, the Spartans and Red Hurricane were in a back-and-forth contest. New Castle scored to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but the Spartans responded quickly. QB Kavon Morman connected with Brandon Lipford on a 56-yard touchdown pass with less than two minutes left to give the Spartans a lead they would not relinquish.

WKST-AM 1200’s Ken Hlebovy and Rob Gregory provide the audio for the winning strike that helped Montour advance to the semifinals:

4. Penn-Trafford 28, Fox Chapel 21

The Warriors entered the 5A postseason as the top seed, but with a condensed field, the No. 8 Foxes provided stiff opposition. Fox Chapel had the better of the play for long stretches of the contest, but the Warriors showed their resolve in the fourth quarter. With the game tied 21-21, P-T’s John Gay IV exploded for a 36-yard run, which proved to be the deciding points.

The Westmoreland Sports Networks Dave Floyd and Sean Benjamin have the call of Gay’s touchdown on a video spotlight game on the Trib Live High School Sports Network:

Tags: Burgettstown, Fox Chapel, McKeesport, West Allegheny