Upper Saint Clair remains undefeated with win over Chartiers Valley
Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News, pfn
Nathan Jones | September 19, 2026
The Upper Saint Clair Panthers traveled to face the Chartiers Valley Colts and looked to continue the winning ways. The Panthers dominated the Colts and grabbed their fourth win of the season. Upper Saint Clair never trailed in this game and after Chartiers Valley tied it at 7 early in the first quarter, the Panthers took over and never looked back. The final score was 49-7. The Panthers remain undefeated at 4-0 and the Colts fell to 1-3.
The home team started off the game by gaining nine yards on their first two plays. On third down the run was blown up by USC defender John Banbury. The Panthers then followed by their own three and out. On the ensuing punt, Chartiers Valley muffed and Max Ligier recovered for the away team. It took one play for Upper Saint Clair to capitalize on the mistake and take a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Josh Snyder found Andrew Gaither for the first score of the game. Chartiers Valley did not sit back though, and on their next drive the Colts tied the game with a fifty-four yard touchdown pass on which Easton Staab caught the score. This was the last time Chartiers Valley scored and Upper Saint Clair took over. The Panthers next drive was highlighted by a thirty-one yard rush by Banbury that took the offense five yards away from a score. Two plays later, Banbury took it in for his first score of the night. The Colts then had a short drive and punted to Upper Saint Clair. The Panthers next drive ended on fumble in CVHS territory that was recovered by Luke Rosswog. Unfortunately for the Colts, they were unable to use the turnover as fuel and their drive was over after three plays. The Panthers then started at midfield and Snyder threw a deep ball for Evan Smirniw at the end of the quarter. Down by fourteen to start the quarter, Chartiers Valley began on a very long drive that took five minutes off of the second quarter clock. The Colts got into the redzone following a nine yard rush on first down, but three straight incomplete passes led to a turnover on downs.
Upper Saint Clair quickly punted on their next drive and the Chartiers Valley Colts looked to get back into the game. Yet another Colts drive was ended by three straight incompletions and this time the Panthers capitalized. Banbury punched in his second score of the game to give the Panthers a three touchdown lead. After that touchdown there was little time left and one rush by the Colts took the game to halftime.
The Panthers continued in their scoring ways and scored four plays into the second half as Smirniw caught his second touchdown of the night. That short drive took less than two minutes off the clock. The Colts were able to get some more first downs on their next drive but still had to punt after their quarterback was sacked. On the following drive the Colts were able to force another Panther turnover. Braylen Bogats intercepted Snyder and set up the Colts at their own twenty. Smirniw decided not to let the Panthers generate any points though, as we came up big again with a pick. Upper Saint Clair took down the rest of the third quarter clock and over two minutes of the fourth with their touchdown scoring drive. With 9:37 showing, Max Ligier ran in from fourteen yards out and started the running clock. Chartiers Valley followed with yet another three and out. After USCHS followed with their own three and out, the fourth down snap went well over the punters head. This set up the Colts in great position to maybe get points on the board, but with just over two minutes remaining, Nick Ellis returned a interception ninety-six yards for the final score of the night. Kicker Cam Smith converted on his seventh straight extra point try and made the score 49-7. With the running clock, and three runs by the home team, the clock hit triple zeros.
Hopes continue to be high for the Panthers as they remain undefeated. After his performance, Smirniw noted, “We’re making it to the WPIAL Championship.”
Upper Saint Clair (4-0) will host South Fayette next week and Chartiers Valley (1-3) will travel to face Bethel Park.
