It was “Light Up” night in Pittsburgh and Jordan Whitehead provided plenty of fireworks in the WPIAL Class AAA title game to help Central Valley beat West Allegheny 35-28. The win denied West Allegheny the chance to three-peat as WPIAL Champions.
Whitehead, who will play college ball for Pitt, was a force and finished the game with 286 total yards and three touchdowns.
Central Valley (13-0) stormed out to a 21-0 first quarter lead by scoring three touchdowns in four and a half minutes. Whitehead scored on a 15 yard run and a 73 yard catch and B.J. Powell hauled in a touchdown from 52 yards out.
Just when it looked like the rout was on, the West Allegheny offense came to life. Chayse Dillon answered with two rushing touchdowns to close the gap to 21-14.
After Central Valley went three and out on their opening drive of the second half, Dillon scored his third rushing touchdown of the night to tie it at 21.
West Allegheny (11-2) drove again into scoring position but had a 46 yard field goal attempt by D.J. Opsatnik blocked. On the very next play John George found Whitehead on a screen pass and he took it 55 yards for a highlight reel touchdown to give Central Valley the momentum again.
Late in the 4th quarter West Allegheny drove it down and scored on a Terence Stephens plunge from 2 yards out. They unfortunately left too much time on the clock for Central Valley.
The Warriors methodically moved the ball down into scoring position and finished the game-winning drive with a pass from George to Powell with 19 seconds remaining to win the title.
George finished the day with 276 yards passing, 62 yards rushing, four passing touchdowns and an interception.
West Allegheny’s head coach Bob Palko suffered his first loss in eight championship game appearances.
Central Valley will begin their run at a PIAA championship next week.
Photo Credit: Christopher Horner – Trib Total Media
