Peters Township defeats Pine Richland 43-17 for the 5A WPIAL Championship

Tagged under: District 7, Game Photos-Videos, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

Ethan Spozarski | November 18, 2023

Written by: Dean Shazer

Both teams started slow with empty possessions on both sides. The first big play of the game was from #2 of Pine Richland Tanner Cunningham when he picked off Nolan DiLucia. Pine Richland took advantage and kicked a 48-yard field goal with 5:07 left in Q1.

Pine Richland strikes first with a 48 yard field goal #6 Grant Argiro.

5:07 left in Q1@PRRamsFootball 3@PetersTwpFB 0@PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/G1atiiNnMT

— Dean Shazer — the son (@DeanShazer2) November 18, 2023

Pine Richland scored what would be their only points until the fourth quarter.

Peters Township’s first points took place on an errand Pine Richland long snap on the punt. The ball rolled out of the back of the endzone and Peters scored a safety. Pine Richland led 3-2 until a Mickey Vaccarello touchdown reception from 13 yards out. Peters Township led 9-3 with 11:45 left in Half 1.

A big screen play from #7 Vinny Sarcone sets up a touchdown reception from #10 Mickey vaccarello on a 13-yard catch. @PRRamsFootball 3@PetersTwpFB 9

11:45 left in the half. @PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard pic.twitter.com/EYqzB1TiLX

— Dean Shazer — the son (@DeanShazer2) November 18, 2023

Peters ended up scoring two more times before the half with touchdowns from number four Ethan Wertman and number five Carter Shanafelt.

HALFTIME:

Pine Richland 3

Peters Township 23

The third quarter started similarly to the first quarter with both teams starting slow out of the half. Peters Township ended up scoring first with a thirty-three yard rushing touchdown from Vinny Sarcone to give Peters the lead, 30-3, near the end of the third quarter.

Peters did not let up as they forced an interception. It was number 0 Justin Tornatore. Two plays after the interception, Preston Blair put the dagger into Pine Richland with a sixty-three yard rushing touchdown. Peters led 36-3 with :20 left in the third quarter.

Peters Township gets the interception on a jump ball.
1:00 left in Q3

#0 Justin Tornatore for @PetersTwpFB with the INT.
Peters leads @PRRamsFootball 30-3@PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews
2 plays later #26 Preston Blair takes it 63 yards for the rushing TD. Now 36-3.
:21 in Q3. pic.twitter.com/xUUXsF3JJX

— Dean Shazer — the son (@DeanShazer2) November 18, 2023

Pine Richland scored their first touchdown of the game five minutes later with a touchdown reception from Vasilios Balouris. That catch made it 36-10 with 7:00 left.

If the touchdown at the end of the third quarter was not enough, Peters gave the fans another one. This time it was sophomore quarterback Nolan DiLucia from thirty-nine yards out on the QB keeper.

With only 2:45 left in the game Pine scored their final touchdown of the season with a Bryce O’Brien touchdown.

FINAL:

Pine Richland (9-4) 17

Peters Township (13-0) 43

Peters Township advances to the first round of the 5A PIAA State Playoffs and will face Cathedral Prep. TJ Plack earns his first WPIAL Championship as a head coach and improves to (1-2) all time in the big game.

Game Photos:

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