California rallies in 2nd half, beats Northgate
CALIFORNIA – Alan Dennis had 14 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown to help lead California to a 16-7 win over visiting Nothgate in a WPIAL Class A first round playoff game Friday night.
The sixth-seeded Trojans advance to next week’s quarterfinals against No. 3 Clairton.
California trailed 7-0 at halftime but seized the lead with a 65-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter that featured a 33-yard run by Dennis who also finished the march with an 8-yard run.
Brandon Meier’s pass to Carter Frank for the two-point conversion put the Trojans ahead to stay, 8-7.
Colton Lowden’s interception on the Flames’ next possession gave California the ball at its own 46 late in the third quarter.
Meier completed a 28-yard pass to Chase Shemansky four plays later to the Northgate 14. The two hooked up again on the next play for a touchdown with 10:18 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Meier’s two-point conversion pass to Weston Monticelli gave the Trojans a two-score lead.
The Flames led 7-0 at halftime on Devontae Smith’s 8-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
Meier completed 7of 13 passes for 73 yards.