Shane Stump ran for four touchdowns and threw for another as Thomas Jefferson crushed Dallas Area, 46-7, to win the PIAA Class 4A football championship Thursday night. The Jaguars dominated the Mountaineers on both sides of the ball, running for nearly 300 yards while holding Dallas to just 60 yards rushing. TJ picked off Dallas QB Michael Starbuck three times, including Ian Hansen’s 38-yard “pick six” on the third play of the second half. Running back Dylan Mallozzi carried 24 times for 212 yards and one touchdown as Thomas Jefferson finished the season 16-0 and won its fourth PIAA football title, the first since going back-to-back in 2007-2008. Dallas suffered its first loss of the year, losing in its first state championship game since beating Washington in 1993.
Two weeks ago, Avonworth won its first outright WPIAL football championship and Friday afternoon, it was all over. The Antelopes were crushed by District 4 champion Southern Columbia 74-7 in the PIAA Class 2A football championship game. The Tigers have been the premier football program, all classes, in the state for many years, winning a record nine PIAA titles and were in the finals for the 18th time in 26 seasons. Avonworth (15-0) failed to find a way to slow down an SCA team, also 15-0, that’s scored an average of 54 points a game this year, and allowed just 75 points all season, including 10 shutouts. The Antelopes have allowed an average of 11 points a game, a mark that’s held steady through a perfect five-game run in the postseason.