PENNSYLVANIA W. Middlesex loses to unbeaten Clarion
Brendan Huwar scored four 1-yard touchdowns to propel Clarion-Limestone.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CLARION, Pa. -- After a shaky start, the Clarion-Limestone High football team turned back West Middlesex 33-14 in a PIAA Class A state playoff game Friday at Clarion University.
Brendan Huwar, who came into the contest with 1,200 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns, scored four times on 1-yard runs for the Lions (12-0).
Behind 7-6, Limestone took the lead for keeps in the second quarter when Huwar scored his first touchdown to climax an eight-play, 55-yard march.
Huwar carried three times for 35 yards and he caught a 12-yard pass from quarterback Hayden Johnston to set up his second-quarter touchdown.
"The line stepped up and opened holes for me," Huwar said. "This field is a grass-like turf and absolutely great to make cuts on."
Big Red led, 7-6
West Middlesex (9-3) went three-and-out on its first three possessions, but at the start of the second quarter the Big Red took over on their own 25-yard line after a punt.
Senior quarterback Bobby Michaels, who was 0-for-5 passing, connected with Paul Fair, who caught a 31-yard pass between three Lions defenders for a first down at the Limestone 35.
Six plays later, Michaels scored on a 1-yard run and Nick Bender made a place kick for the extra point and West Middlesex's 7-6 lead.
But it didn't last long as Limestone scored the next two touchdowns.
Down 20-6, West Middlesex took over on its own 46 early in the third quarter.
Steve Andrusky caught a 38-yard pass from Michaels for a first down at the Lions' 8-yard line. Giani Ruffo then raced into the end zone and the Big Red cut the deficit to 20-14.
"When we got that early score in the third quarter [9 minutes, six seconds], we had a lot of hope," West Middlesex coach Rick Resatar said. "Our kids did a great job, they never let up, but we just didn't make the plays when we had to make them."
Clinching score
Following another exchange, Limestone scored the clinching touchdown as Huwar plunged a yard to complete an 11-play, 58-yard drive.
Johnston ran three times for 22 yards on the march and he completed two passes for 23 yards.
"What actually helps us keep winning is our offensive balance," Limestone coach Todd Smith said.
"Our kids are incredible," Smith said. "When the odds seem against them, they are always able to answer on both sides of the ball."
Huwar carried 27 times for 137 yards while Johnston was 10-of-15 passing for 169.
Ruffo led the Big Red with 56 yards on 20 rushes. Michaels was 5-of-23 for 123. Senior outside linebacker Brian Gerrish was in on 13 tackles, eight of them solo.
Last year in the first game of the state playoffs, the same teams met at Sharon High, and Limestone won 40-7.