Matt Sieg ran for 125 yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, leading Fort Cherry past Redbank Valley, 33-23. The win extends the Rangers best season ever and put Fort Cherry into the PIAA 1A championship game next Thursday against defending champion Steelton-Highspire. Shane Cornali’s punt return early in the fourth sparked the Fort Cherry rally from down 16-13 with 12 minutes to play.
Peters Township survived a bus flat tire, missed opportunities early, a blocked punt and a lost fumble to get by Cocalico, 14-9, improving to 15-0 on the season. The Indians clinched their first-ever trip to the state finals where they’ll take on Imhotep Charter. Peters Township missed possible touchdown passes on its first three possessions but took a 14-3 lead at the half, thanks to a pair of late touchdowns. Cocalico scored to open the second half, pulling within 14-9. Through the second half, the Indians struggled to get out of their own way, taking penalties, missing blocks & open receivers. Halfway through the fourth, a dropped snap led to a blocked punt but the PT defense kept Cocalico out of the endzone. That defense had to hold again following a fumble recovered by Cocalico inside the Peters 20-yard line with 100 seconds to play. Six plays later, the defense had done its job and the Indians exhaled, then celebrated. PIAA Football brackets
PIAA Football Semifinals
Friday, Dec. 1
1A Fort Cherry 33, Redbank Valley 23
1A Steelton-Highspire 48, South Williamsport 21
2A Westinghouse 28, Beaver Falls 8
2A Southern Columbia 39, Dunmore 7
3A Belle Vernon 42, Hickory 16
3A Northwestern Lehigh 33, Wyomissing 24
4A Aliquippa 52, Selinsgrove 32
4A Dallas 26, Bishop McDevitt 23, 2OT
5A Peters Township 14, Cocalico 9
5A Imhotep Charter 42, Strath Haven 14
Saturday, Dec. 2
6A North Allegheny 24, Harrisburg 12
6A St. Joseph’s Prep 49, Central Bucks South 0