St. Joseph’s Prep takes down Harrisburg, claims PIAA 6A championship
Neumann-Goretti fell in the 3A championship.
St. Joseph’s Prep routed Harrisburg, 42-7, on Saturday at Cumberland Valley High School to clinch a PIAA 6A title.
The Hawks (12-1) took an early lead that left Harrisburg trailing 35-0 at halftime. Quarterback Samaj Jones, a three-star prospect, ran in a 65-yard touchdown on the game’s opening drive. He also threw for three touchdowns before halftime.
Jones finished with four passing touchdowns, the longest a 60-yard toss to receiver Elijah Jones in the second quarter.
Harrisburg (11-3) went scoreless until the fourth quarter, when Kyle Williams caught a 66-yard touchdown pass with four minutes left in the game.
Neumann Goretti falls in the 3A championship
Belle Vernon defeated Neumann Goretti in a 9-8 nail-biter on Saturday afternoon, capturing its first PIAA 3A title.
The Saints (11-4) had a chance to score a game-winning touchdown after they converted on fourth-and-5 from Belle Vernon’s 7-yard line, but they fumbled on a quarterback sneak at the 1-yard line, giving the Leopards the back with 1 minute, 48 seconds left.
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Neumann-Goretti carried an 8-3 halftime lead. Their only points of the game came when the Leopards’ center snapped the ball over the punter. The Saints defense recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Instead of an extra point, head coach Albie Crosby decided to go for two, extending their lead to five.
Belle Vernon (12-2) retook the lead on a Caleb Horner passing touchdown in the third quarter. The Leopards’ two-point conversion attempt failed, but they still came away with the one-point lead, and, ultimately, the win.