Clairton scores 4 defensive TDs, allows minus-31 yards in rout of Greensburg Central Catholic

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 7, 2018 | 11:27 PM

The old adage in sports is that defense wins championships. In that case, it makes sense why the Clairton Bears (2-0, 1-0) have won nine WPIAL championships over the last 12 years.

This season kicked off with yet another stellar defensive performance by the Bears, scoring four defensive touchdowns in a 40-0 victory over Greensburg Catholic.

The Bears got two fumble returns for touchdowns by Deonte Reddick (20 yards) and Leonard Robinson (65 yards), as well as two interception returns for touchdowns by Traevon Thompson (40 yards) and Don Napper (6 yards).

“It’s the style of defense we play,” Clairton coach Wayne Wade said. “Most teams don’t play the style of defense we play. We are fast and athletic. We can load the box and drop back. They had some bad snaps that contributed to the total yardage numbers, but I think our defense did a great job tonight.”

Over the first two games, the Centurions (2-1, 1-1) won by a combined score of 76-7. On Friday, the Centurions finished with minus-31 yards.

“We had snapping issues from start to finish in this game,” Centurions coach Aaron Smetanka said. “We used different centers, but it wasn’t just snapping we had trouble holding on to the ball in general.”

Clairton’s offense produced just 160 total yards and scored just twice on a 27-yard touchdown pass by Brendan Parsons to Dominic Soloman on the first drive of the first quarter and a 10-yard touchdown run by Parsons on the first drive of the third quarter.

“We have to clean up our pass and run blocking,” Wade said. “It was a case of scoring on defense and the offense didn’t have to many chances to open up.”

The Bears continue to press the issue at home as they have now won 72 of their past 79 home games dating to 1997. It was also the 51 ^st time the Bears have mercy-ruled opponents at home since it was instituted in 1998.

Next week, Clairton travels to Riverview (0-1, 0-1) on Saturday afternoon.

The Centurions host Leechburg (2-1, 0-1) at 7 p.m. next Friday.

“We have to start preparing and fix things offensively and defensively,” Smetanka said. “But we have to put this one behind us.”

Sean Saputo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Clairton, Greensburg C.C.