Turnovers, injury sink Clairton in Class A title game
By JONATHAN GUTH
MVI Sports
Six turnovers and the loss of star running back Dontae Sanders was a losing formula for Clairton in a 45-14 setback to Jeannette Saturday in the WPIAL Class A championship game at North Hills’ Martorelli Stadium.
The Jayhawks (9-1) won their 10th WPIAL title and avenged a Week 1 setback to the Bears (8-1).
“We had a great week of practice,” Jeannette coach Roy Hall said. “Our coaching staff did a great job of preparing them and our kids executed it.
“I say that I have the best coaching staff in the state, and it takes a whole community. I am just one piece of the puzzle. I am not sure who we are playing next week, and I really don’t care. I am going to go celebrate tonight and then we will concentrate on our next opponent later.”
The Jayhawks scored first when Jaydin Canady scooped up a Bears’ fumble and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. Roberto Smith Jr. added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
Smith recovered a squib kick on the ensuing kickoff and Jeannette freshman quarterback Brad Birch scampered 19 yards for a score minutes later to make it 13-0.
It went from bad to worse for Clairton on the drive, as Sanders went back to the locker room with a member of the Bears’ training staff. He was seen on the bench later in the game with his arm in a sling. Sanders had 49 yards on six carries before the injury.
“Any time you lose a kid that has produced 1,800 rushing yards, it’s tough, especially in a championship game,” Clairton coach Wayne Wade said. “That is just like losing your star quarterback. That is how much he means to our offense.”
Smith got back into the action on Clairton’s next drive, intercepting a Jonte Sanders pass and returning it to the Bears’ 18. Birch found Kaelan Piscar in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown reception and a 22-0 advantage after Birch’s two-point conversation run with 1:15 left in the first.
“We are fumbling the ball and doing other things, and it is a game of momentum,” Wade said. “One thing led to the next.”
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