Charleroi shrugged off a sluggish started and used defensive plays in the second half to turn momentum, avoid another upset, and come away with a 35-21 victory over Riverside Friday night at Myron Pottios Stadium.
After trailing 14-0 in the first half and later in the third quarter, the #4 seed Cougars scored 21 unanswered points to upend the 13-seeded Panthers.
Riverside quarterback Ben Hughes connected with Nathan Sciarro on a 13-yard touchdown pass and Panther running back Nic Ottaviani recovered Hughes’ fumble in the endzone to give the Riverside an early lead.
Panthers’ LeMarcus Cleckley, who ran for a game-high 148 yards on 21 carries, scored from 1 yard out to give the Panthers their last lead at 21-14.
After Cougars quarterback Geno Pellegrini found Legend Davis on a touchdown strike to tie the game at 21 a piece, Charleroi’s defense forced a fumble on Riverside’s ensuing possession and rumbled the recovery 90 yards to take a 28-21 lead.
With the Panthers looking to respond, Charleroi’s Davis collected his second interception of the game to thwart any Riverside comeback bid.
The defeat knocked Riverside (6-4 overall) out of the WPIAL Class 2A Playoffs. For Charleroi, the victory was the program’s first playoff victory in 20 years.
Last year, Charleroi entered the WPIAL playoffs as a #5 seed, riding an eight-game winning streak and earning a home playoff game before being upset by 12th-seeded Avonworth, 21-12.
Pellegrini finished the night 14 of 23 for 252 yards. He threw a pair of touchdowns and had one interception. Riverside gained over 200 yards rushing as a team, but was out gained in total yards 403-270.
The Cougars advance to play No. 5 Mohawk, a 48-0 winner over Seton LaSalle, at a site and time to be determined.
#WPIAL Football – 2A Playoffs
Final:
#4 @CharleroiSD 35
#13 @RiversidePN 21#TribHSSN @TribLiveHSSN pic.twitter.com/xntR58lvre— RJ Leisie (@RLeisie) November 3, 2018
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