Big-play Bears looking for return to Heinz Field

By JOSE NEGRON
jnegron@yourmvi.com
In 10 seasons from 2007 to 2016, there was no better team in Class A than Clairton.
The Bears won eight WPIAL championships and four state titles during that span, becoming a dynasty despite being one of the smallest programs in the area.
The last two seasons haven’t resulted in the same success, ending with semifinal losses to Jeannette in 2017 and Our Lady of Sacred Heart last season.
Despite falling short in previous years, the top-seeded Bears have an opportunity to get back to Heinz Field when they take on No. 4 Cornell 7 p.m. Friday at Chartiers-Houston.
Clairton (9-2) is seeking its first appearance in the WPIAL title game since 2016.
“This is a big game for us as well as it is for them,” Clairton head coach Wayne Wade said. “Kids grow up here in Western Pennsylvania with the dreams of playing at Heinz Field. We have missed it the last few years, so this group of kids hasn’t had that experience. They’re fired up about it.”
Cornell (9-1) enters the WPIAL semifinal coming off a slim 32-27 victory over California in the quarterfinals last week.
Quarterback Zaier Harrison completed 11 of 15 passes for 160 yards and a pair of touchdowns, one on a 9-yard pass to Amere Hibbler and another on a 28-yard pass to Isaiah Langston.
Harrison is one of the top passers in the WPIAL, ranking sixth in touchdown passes (22) and eighth in passing yards (1,971).
Harrison is also Cornell’s leading rusher, carrying the ball 94 times for 590 yards.
“He’s a strength for them so we’re going to try and do some things to minimize his big-play ability,” Wade said. “We’re definitely going to do things against them that will neutralize what they like to do.”

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