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WPIAL Class AA: Jeannette's defense prevails in 7-2 win
Jayhawks stop 2 late drives to seal victory
Saturday, October 28, 2006
By Chris Adamski, Tri-State Sports & News Service
Two of the best offenses in the state were on display last night for the WPIAL Class AA Keystone Conference showdown at Jeannette's McKee Stadium.
Greensburg Central Catholic was fifth, averaging 41.9 points per game, and Jeannette was 10th at 40.3.
All the ingredients were in place for a high-scoring shootout between two bitter rivals. Too bad neither team's defense was accommodating.
As it turned out, Jeannette's defense shut out the vaunted Centurions' offense in front of a wet Senior Night crowd, 7-2.
"The whole defense believed," receiver/cornerback Davonte Shannon said.
"There wasn't anybody who gave us a chance, so we took it on ourselves as a defense to go out and show everybody we can play."
Terrelle Pryor rushed for 118 yards and Jerry Harris 60 yards and a touchdown for the winning Jayhawks. The Centurions' Max Suter came into the contest averaging 181 yards rushing per game, but he was held to 92 on 19 carries.
The win means Jeannette (8-1, 7-1) will share the conference title with Greensburg Central Catholic (8-1, 7-1) -- ranked No. 1 in WPIAL Class AA by the Post-Gazette -- and Yough.
The game was played during a steady rain, and the natural field was muddy between the hashmarks. Most players' uniform numbers were so dirty by the end of the game, they could not be seen.
"Let me tell you what, this could have been a swim [meet]," Greensburg Central Catholic coach Muzzy Colosimo said. "Look at that field; can you believe two teams played on it?
"[Jeannette] did a great job. ... I told them I'm proud they're part of this league. They bring out the best in every team they play."
The Centurions took an early lead on a safety after a bad snap for an attempted Jeannette punt. The Jayhawks, however, rallied quickly, scoring on the third play of the second quarter with Harris' 1-yard touchdown run.
The Jayhawks held a 242-209 edge in total yardage, but the Centurions had opportunities to score in the fourth quarter.
On its final drive, two long plays got them to Jeannette's 35 with 11 seconds left with two shots at the end zone.
After a pass to all-conference receiver Nick Sukay was broken up inside the 5, Pryor intercepted quarterback Cody Catalina's last pass with no time left.
