Imani Christian comes back to beat Clairton

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Andrew Schaffer | August 23, 2025

In the very first game played at the newly renovated Tyler Boyd Stadium, Imani Christian was able to play spoiler and get the 19-12 win over Clairton. “I hate to be the guy to try and ruin this day, but if you know me, I’ll relish an opportunity to be the villain so I don’t mind” said Coach Johnson.

Imani Christian got the ball to start the game but went three and out. The first quarter featured no scoring but each team had big plays but neither team was able to find the end zone.

The second quarter is where the game got interesting. Clairton was able to get on the board first. Jeff Thompson was able to find Taris Wooding for a 19 yard touchdown pass. Thompson was a key player for the Bears. He 17 of 29 for 154 yards passing.

Imani Christian got the ball and started on their own 40 yard line. On the fifth play of the drive Gabe Jenkins found the end zone on a 37 yard touchdown run. That gave Imani Christian a 7-6 lead with 8:42 in the second quarter.

Jenkins was the key player in the game for Imani Christian. He had 211 yards rushing on 19 carries. “He’s fantastic, he’s the guy that everybody knows that he is, I mean he’s a four star athlete, and he showed it tonight, that’s what he’s done his whole entire career, which is make plays and show up in the moments that he’s always needed to show up” said Coach Johnson.

Clairton got the ball back but went three and out. Imani Christian got the ball back with good field position at the Clairton 44 yard line. On the second play David Davis scored on a 37 yard run. “David’s just a tremendous player, he’s similar to Gabe where I can look back on tape man and I know that guys going to make a play for me at some point, and he’s just always been like that, he’s just a phenomenal football player” said Coach Johnson.

Suddenly Imani Christian was in control of the game scoring 13 unanswered points. “They just banded together, we play with tremendous pride. I think the guys they have a pride about themselves, that they won’t let anything get them down, I’m extremely proud of that” said Coach Johnson.

The following drive Clairton was able to get into Imani Christian territory but they ended up turning the ball over on downs. Not much else occurred the remainer of the quarter and Imani Christian had a 13-6 lead at halftime.

Clairton got the ball to start the second half and it was looking like a great drive. After getting to the Imani Christian 10 yard line Clairton went for it on fourth down and the ball was intercepted. The drive took up basically half of the quarter.

Towards the end of the third quarter Clairton was deep into Imani Christian territory and to start the fourth quarter. Clairton appeared to score but the player was ruled down just short of the end zone. After that Imani Christian was able to make a goal line stand.

The good news was Imani Christian had the ball, but the bad news was they were at their own 2 yard line and weren’t able to move the ball and had to punt it away. Clairton got the ball back with great field position but penalties stalled the drive and once again punted it away.

Imani Christian started the next drive on their own 23 yard line and after multiple penalties they were inside the 10 yard line. It was after that a major game changing played occurred when Gabe Jenkins had an 88 yard run all the way down to the Clairton 5 yard line.

The drive was finished off when Jenkins completed it to Dajaun Criaghead for a 3 yard touchdown pass which made the score 19-6 with 2:44 remaining in the game. “He pulled a trick out of his hat right there, I always say Gabe Jenkins finds a way to make a play no matter what game he’s in, he shows up, he’s been like that since he was a freshman, he’s a tremendous athlete and he always finds a way to make a play” said Coach Johnson.

Clairton was able to find the end zone on a second touchdown pass from Jeff Thompson to Taris Wooding which made the final score 19-12.

Next week Clairton looks to bounce back when they host Serra Catholic and Imani Christian travels to Beaver Falls.

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