Pittsburgh Central Catholic Finds Gold In The Snow at Heinz Field

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, November 23, 2013 | 5:49 PM

In a dominant performance in the opening half, the Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings defeated the Woodland Hills Wolverines to claim their 4th WPIAL championship. The Vikings piled up 188 yards of offense in the first half, all on the ground and used a turnover and a bizarre play to lead 20-0 at the half.

Luigi Lista-Brinza started after being injured in the semifinal win over Penn Trafford, the senior was questionable coming into the game. He scored twice on runs of 13 and 4 yards, the second sealed the win with just under 9 minutes to play in the final quarter, finishing with 27 carries for 136 yards.

The Vikings jumped out to a 13-0 lead on two punt plays. Donte Broadus dropped back to punt at his own 31, the ball went off the side of his foot and went out at the 29, giving PCC a short field. Lista-Brinza scored six plays later to go up 7-0. That score stayed the same into the second quarter, whenb the game-changing play happened. Riley Redman punted from his own 43 yard line, the ball was partially deflected and traveled backwards about 8 yards. Graham Adomitis picked up the football at his own 34, waited for blockers to surround him and went untouched down the far sideline for a 66 yard touchdown. The ball was allowed to be advanced by the Vikings since it never crossed the line of scrimmage.

Pittsburgh Central Catholic used a great drive at the end of the half to go up by 20, as Florida State recruit J.J. Consentino led his team down the field, going 11 plays and 70 yards in 3:21 as Consentino scored on a 3 yard run.

Woodland Hills came out fired up to start the third quarter, scoring on a 8 play drive. Senior quarterback harry Randall scored on a 1 yard run. Pittsburgh Central Catholic got the final score on another poor punt by Broadus, this one for just 13 yards, giving the Vikings the ball at the 32, where Lista-Brinza again went to work. Running in a snow squall that put a coating on the field during the second half, he ripped off gains of 22, 3, 3 and 4 yards for the touchdown, his 17th of the season.

The Wolverines gave it one last chance to score, driving to the PCC 38, but four consecutive losses ended the drive, the Vikings took the ball down to the 5 yard line, but coach Terry Totten elected to take three knees to run out the remaining time.

The Vikings had 250 rushing yards, Senior linebacker Niko Thorpe led the defense with 13 tackles and a fumble recovery, Cody Troesch made nine stops, holding the Wolverines to just 141 yards for the game. The Vikings have only allowed 75 points this season.

The win gives the Vikings their first championship since 2007, it was also revenge for the 2001 title game, won by Woodland Hills. Pittsburgh Central Catholic remains unbeaten at 13-0 and will meet the winner of the Erie McDowell-Mifflin County game next weekend in the PIAA quarterfinals.

Harry Randall led the Wolverines with 19 carries for 81 yards, the senior quarterback also was 4 of 9 passing in the tough conditions for 56 yards. Woodland Hills was 1 of 9 on third down in the game, the Wolverines saw a 10 game winning streak come to an end after losses to Upper St. Clair and McKeesport to start the season. 

Scoring Summary: 
Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings 7 – 13 – 0 – 7 = 27 
Woodland Hills Wolverines  0 – 0 – 7 – 0 = 7

1st Quarter:
PCC:  Luigi Lista-Brinza 13 run (Mitchell MacZura kick)   5:03

2nd Quarter:
PCC:  Graham Adomitis 66 run (kick failed)   6:58
PCC:  J J Costentino 3 run (MacZura kick)   :20

3rd Quarter:
WH:  Harry Randall 1 run (Donald Cassidy kick)  7:40

4th Quarter:
PCC:  Lista-Brinza 4 run (MacZura kick)   8:57

Tags: Woodland Hills