Nov 12, 2017 4 min read

The second round of the WPIAL Playoffs gave us a mixed bag.

The handful of close games were outnumbered by blowouts, but at least the Mercy Rule kept the clock running and made the frozen metal stands a little easier to take for fans.

Here is what we learned on the frigid Friday night.

1. Twice isn’t as nice – The two rematches from the regular season didn’t play out well for South Fayette and Belle Vernon. Their losses to Montour and Thomas Jefferson, respectively, in the second round means they will be watching from the stands at Heinz Field next Saturday at 8 p.m.

South Fayette gave up the final 21 points in the fourth quarter to Montour in a 35-27 loss, only two weeks after the Lions won the Northwest Nine Conference against the Spartans, 49-21, in Week 10.

Many fans expected the Lions to make the finals. The shocking part about Montour’s late comeback was that South Fayette only allowed 21 points in a game twice this season, let alone in the fourth quarter.

Many weren’t shocked that Thomas Jefferson, a team that traditionally excels in the playoffs, defeated Belle Vernon, 27-0.

What did raise eyebrows was how dominant the Jaguars were throughout the game, controlling every facet to not only knock Belle Vernon out of the playoffs but ruin its previously undefeated record.

It was exactly one month ago that the Leopards were ringing the victory bell after taking advantage of four Thomas Jefferson turnovers.

Round two showed how hard it is to defeat a team twice in one season.

2. Oppressed offenses – Four first downs and 29 total yards aren’t much to brag about.

But that was what the Burgettstown and Belle Vernon offenses combined for Friday.

Steel Valley, even after letting Burgettstown start in its territory twice, only allowed the Blue Devils to finish with eight total yards and three first downs.

Belle Vernon, averaging more than 33 points per game coming into Friday, got its first and only first down with 4:32 left in the fourth quarter.

3. Waking up early – One of the few things Washington has struggled with is getting off to a fast start in games.

The Prexies must have been tired of hearing that it was a second-half football team because they scored on their first seven drives of a 54-7 thumping of East Allegheny.

Sophomore quarterback Zack Swartz is playing like a veteran, not someone who started just 11 games. Swartz completed 9 of 10 passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns in two-plus quarters.

The early success began the Mercy Rule at the start of the second half.

If Washington continues to successfully combine the run with the pass, this might be the year the Prexies win that elusive WPIAL title.

Washington’s next challenge will be against Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic (10-2) at 7:30 p.m., Friday at Moon.

4. Minimizing mistakes key for Trojans – California head coach Darrin Dillow said it first.

If the Trojans make the same mistakes they did against Union, which still resulted in a 43-19 win, the No. 1 seed in Class A won’t be playing another game this season.

From personal foul penalties to fumbles, California is hoping its worst game of the season is in the past.

The question still remains if anyone can stop California’s ground game. Running backs Jelani Stafford and Cochise Ryan were the main beneficiaries Friday. Stafford ran for 132 yards on 14 carries, and Ryan had eight attempts for 102 yards.

The Trojans will see a familiar opponent, and possibly biggest hurdle, when they play Imani Christian (10-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Peters Township.

California defeated Imani, 41-26, in a non-conference game Sept. 16.

5. Give credit where its due – So much time is spent analyzing decisions of the WPIAL committee before, during and after the football pairings meeting.

It’s time to admit the committee sorted these teams out fairly and correctly.

In three of the four WPIAL championships – Class 3A to 6A – to be played at Heinz Field Saturday, it’s going to be No. 1 versus No. 2 seeds.

In the two lower classifications, A and AA, which are still in the semifinal round, the four remaining teams are one of the top four seeds.