Thomas Jefferson Defeats Plum 20-17; reaches 6th consecutive WPIAL Championship Game @carter_newcome
Tagged under: District 7, News
Nate Grella | November 7, 2020
By Carter Newcome
It is no secret that Thomas Jefferson is a powerhouse when it comes to football. The Jaguars made no exception to that on Friday night against Plum. However, it was not an easy victory by any means. Plum led 17-7 early on in the second quarter, but the Jaguars would score 13 unanswered points to end the upset bid by Plum. Thomas Jefferson has made the WPIAL title in the 4A classification for 5 years in a row, (made in 3A in 2015) and in its previous 5 title games has won 4 of the 5.
Thomas Jefferson opened up the game with the ball and appeared to be in control early when it drove down the field and scored via Isaac Eckley, who scampered 16 yards to the house. Plum would answer and scored on its opening drive as well. Ryan Hubner hit his man Max Matolcsy for a 16-yard touchdown reception. Hubner followed up his efforts on offense with an interception on defense that gave the Mustangs good field position. A 32-yard field goal from Reed Martin gave the Mustangs a 10-7 advantage at the end of the 1st.
TJ STRIKES FIRST! Isaac Eckley takes it to the house to give TJ a 7-0 lead with 6:29 to play 1st Quarter @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/98gkKT1IXQ
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) November 7, 2020
WE ARE TIED! Ryan Hubner to Max Matolcsy for a 16 yard TD. Plum 7 TJ 7 4:04 1st Quarter. @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/kGbggLNjuh
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) November 7, 2020
Jake Pugh gets rocked and fumbles! Plum takes over up 10-7 with 10:45 to play in the 2Q. @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/XJ1xsjYwkv
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) November 7, 2020
Plum would add to that lead early in the second. Eryck Moore got into the endzone from 6 yards away to make it 17-7 Mustangs. That would be it for Plum. Thomas Jefferson would make it 17-13 at the half following a Jake Pugh touchdown run.
Eryck Moore up the gut for a 6 yard TD. PLUM UP 17-7 with 9:14 2Q @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/eUYqaqMzTJ
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) November 7, 2020
Jake Pugh sneaks it into the end zone for the TJ score! PAT No Good. Plum 17 Thomas Jefferson 14 with 1:36 to play in the first half @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard @AJWPIAL pic.twitter.com/EvaQNwEWAW
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) November 7, 2020
Late in the 3rd quarter, Thomas Jefferson would score the deciding points. Ian Hansen had reservations for 6 on a screen pass from Pugh that went 36 yards. This would put the,Jaguars up 20-17 heading into the final frame. The defense came to play, and a late fumble would seal the deal.
Jake Pugh hits Ian Hansen on a screen pass that Hansen takes to the house! TJ regains the lead 20-17 with 1:13 to play in the 3rd Quarter @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/3WKpG3BjPp
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) November 7, 2020
The WPIAL 4A championship will be played next week at North Allegheny High School between Thomas Jefferson and Aliquippa. This will be a matchup for the ages as not many teams can say they have had the success that these two have had. Aliquippa has won 17 WPIAL titles and Thomas Jefferson has won 9 of their own. This game is slated for 1pm on Saturday, November 14th.
ITS OVER! Thomas Jefferson 20, Plum 17. TJ will go back to the WPIAL 4A Championship game. pic.twitter.com/5Wa5yJKEBx
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) November 7, 2020
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