Short-handed Riverview no match for Clairton

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 20, 2017 | 11:27 PM

Clairton got little resistance against Riverview on Friday night, winning 56-0 at Neil C. Brown Stadium in a Class A Eastern Conference game.

Riverview coach Matt Bonislawski was down three two-way starters on an already short bench because of staph infections from last week's game against Avella, making Friday's game that much more difficult.

“I found out at 11:30 this morning that they wouldn't be playing tonight,” Bonislawski said. “Some pretty important guys for us, but nothing you can do about that. So it's kind of tough moving guys around in pregame. A lot of people were out of position, but you still got to play the game.”

The Raiders were sacked on two of the first three plays from scrimmage, forcing a punt from their own 15-yard line.

Clairton quickly capitalized with a 43-yard run by Aaron Thompson after Tre'sean Howard's 38 yard run was called back because of an illegal procedure penalty.

After another three-and-out by Riverview, the Bears scored three players later, again on the back of Thompson.

This time, he scored from 11 yards, making it 14-0 with 5 minutes, 34 seconds left in the first quarter. Thompson ended the game with 88 yards and three touchdowns on five carries.

Things didn't get any easier for the Raiders after two snaps went over the head of quarterback Ben Blacksmith, the latter ending in a safety.

On the ensuing kick return, Kenlein Ogletree scored after picking up teammate Samuel Jones' fumble around midfield to make the score 23-0 with a little over four minutes left in the first quarter.

Howard added a 60-yard punt return with a little over a minute to play in the first half.

“We understand that they were undermanned, and so we did the best we could tonight with the running clock,” Clairton coach Wayne Wade said.

“We executed well. They fought hard, and our younger guys got some time to play and see what they can do and possibly have to use some of them next week.”

One of those young guys, freshman Isaiah Berry, broke a 41-yard run at the end of the game, breaking numerous tackles along the way.

“Those kids work hard each week,” Wade said. “We got into a little lull there in the middle of the season, but I think we are ready to roll now and getting playoff ready,” Wade said.

The Bears face Jeannette next week at home in what is always a much-anticipated game between the two rivals.

“We're trying to reach our first goal of the season and become conference champs so we are on to it next week,” Wade said.

“It should be a good football game. We've been able to have their number. Hopefully that continues for us. I know they're saying we don't have it this year and they should win this year. That's why we line up to play the game.”

Alec Italiano is a freelance writer.

Tags: Clairton, Riverview