OLSH heads to 1st WPIAL title game after upset of No. 2 Clairton

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, November 9, 2018 | 11:18 PM

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Noah Campalong was perhaps an unexpected hero Friday.

The senior running back clinched third-ranked Our Lady of the Sacred Heart’s first trip to the WPIAL championship game with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns in the Chargers’ 27-7 victory over No. 2 Clairton at Dormont Stadium.

“I can’t even describe it; it’s a great feeling,” said Campalong, who slid over from fullback to tailback when starter Austin Wigley injured his left shoulder in the third quarter. “We played a great team, (played) a great game, and next week is going to be even better.”

Campalong rushed for a 2-yard touchdown at 11:02 in the fourth quarter to give OLSH a 20-7 lead. He later added an 11-yard touchdown reception from Tyler Bradley at 4:37 as the Chargers (11-1) eliminated perennial power Clairton (9-2) to clinch a spot in next week’s championship against fifth-ranked Rochester.

“The last few years we’ve come a long way,” third-year OLSH coach Dan Bradley said. “Whatever happened before that, I don’t know; I think it was the struggles of a new program. … The last three years have been very enjoyable.”

Tyler Bradley finished 8-for-13 passing for 150 yards and two touchdowns, including a 6-yard scoring toss to Richard Banks.

Wigley rushed for a touchdown on 14 carries before he was injured. Wigley said his shoulder “popped out” on a 43-yard third-quarter reception, and that he anticipates being ready to go next week.

“We knew it was possible and this is where we expected to be,” Wigley said. “It’s been a dream since I first started playing football in second grade. I played really hungry because this was my last chance to get to Heinz Field.”

Turnovers plagued both teams in a game that OLSH led 14-7 at the half. A fumble on the Chargers’ first possession of the second half was their second red zone turnover of the game.

But the Bears later fumbled the ball at the OLSH 45-yard line, and the Chargers took advantage with Campalong’s 2-yard touchdown run after losing Wigley earlier in the drive.

“We know if he goes down I gotta step up, and I feel like I did,” Campalong said. “I think we played an all-around great game. The line blocked amazing the whole game. They played great.”

Campalong’s 11-yard touchdown reception at 4:37 in the fourth quarter came after Clairton fumbled away the kickoff on Campalong’s previous touchdown.

“It was a tight game into the third quarter,” Clairton coach Wayne Wade said. “We’re driving the ball, and we put it on the carpet and give it back to them. We had field position all first half and just couldn’t do what we needed to do with the ball. It just came down to us not executing, and them executing plays.”

The Chargers took the initial 7-0 lead on Wigley’s 6-yard touchdown at 1:09 in the first quarter. OLSH added to its lead with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Bradley to Banks for a 14-0 advantage at 10:59 in the second.

Clairton broke through at 8:29 in the second quarter when Brendan Parsons scored on a 2-yard run to cut the deficit to 14-7.

It turned out to be the Bears’ only score as the Chargers were soon celebrating their first trip to Heinz Field.

“I’m always the optimist and people say I’m stupid, but we did a great job,” Dan Bradley said. “We practice hard, we love them hard, we pat them on the back, and the benefits have paid off today.”

Jesse Geleynse is a freelance writer.

Tags: Clairton, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart