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Quarterback Braden Laux ran for 135 yards and a pair of touchdowns, leading Belle Vernon past Central Martinsburg, 21-17, Friday night. Anthony Crews returned the opening kickoff 68 yards to put the Leopards up early. Laux sprinted 42 yards for a touchdown moments later. Central put three drives together to close the first half, getting a touchdown from Jeff Hoenstine to Shalen Yingling, a Hoenstine 30-yard scoring run plus a 28-yard field goal by Hunter Smith, taking a 17-14 lead into the lockerroom. Belle Vernon’s defense came up with a pair of takeaways by Chase Ruokonen (fumble, interception) plus a pair of fourth-down stops in the games final six minutes. Laux put Belle Vernon back in front to stay, scoring from 3-yards out with 2:52 left in the third quarter. He set up the short touchdown with a weaving 58-yard run two plays earlier. The Leopards had a chance to put the game away earlier, following their first fourth-down stop, but fumbled a handoff on second down, giving the Dragons one last chance. Belle Vernon will play Neumann-Goretti, a 20-17 winner over previously unbeaten Wyomissing winner next Saturday afternoon.
PIAA Semifinals
3A Belle Vernon 21, 6-1 Central Martinsburg 17
5A Pine-Richland 34, 3-1 Cocalico 12
4A Aliquippa 31, 11-1 Allentown Central Catholic 10
2A 8-1 Westinghouse 26, Steel Valley 7
1A Union 46, 9-1 Port Allegany 36