Cal wraps up Tri-County South title, wins at J-M

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Jefferson Morgan's John Woodward breaks to the end zone for a second quarter score that resulted in a 14-12 Rocket lead over California at the half of the October 24 game at Parker Field.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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California's Malachi Peak rumbles across midfield in a second quarter Trojan drive in the October 24 game against Jefferson MOrgan at Parker Field.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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Jefferson Morgan Deakyn Dehoet turns the corner and sprints to the goal line for a first quarter score on the Rockets' first possession in the October 24 game against California at Parker Field.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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California's Malachi Peak squares up against Jefferson Morgan's Seth Fox on a first quarter drive in the October 24 game at Parker Field.

Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter

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By Joe Tuscano

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

JEFFERSON – Malachi Peak will be in the dreams of Jefferson-Morgan’s football team this week, and not in a good way.

The senior tailback scored four touchdowns, leading California to a 36-14 victory over Jefferson-Morgan that wrapped up the Class A Tri-County South Conference title Friday night at Parker Field.

The win gives Cal a 7-0 conference record and 9-1 overall mark. Jefferson-Morgan fell to 5-2 in the conference and 8-2 overall.

Three teams – Jefferson-Morgan, Bentworth and California – from the conference are assured spots in the WPIAL playoffs. A fourth fourth team would have to qualify as a wild card in the 16-team postseason field.

California will be the top seed out of the TCS with Bentworth getting the second spot and J-M the third.

Jefferson-Morgan survived a wild first half to take a 14-12 lead. The difference in the game was two extra-point by JM placekicker Logan Yeck.

Peak put California in the lead with a 9-yard run. Cal tried for the two-point conversion but failed. He later scored on runs of four, 10 and 16 yards.

On its next possession, J-M’s Deakyn DeHoet burst through the left side and raced 54 yards for a touchdown. Yeck kicked the extra-point kick and the Rockets led 7-6.

California snatched the lead back when Elijah Carpenter caught a 4-yard touchdown from quarterback Logan Hartley. The Trojans again went for two and Hartley slipped to one knee ending the play.

Jefferson-Morgan took a two-point lead when DeHoet busted across from 10 yards out.

Tempers flared with about four minutes left. Officials ejected wide receiver/defensive back Seth Fox after Fox took a swing at a California player. Fox will not be able to play next week.