Here we go again.

Clairton's football team opened its 2015 schedule Friday night with the type of electrifying performance that had the Bears claiming their 11th WPIAL championship last year. The Bears set a state single-season scoring record during a 15-1 season that ended with a one-point loss in the PIAA Class A championship game.

Harrison Dreher rushed for 128 yards, Lamont Wade added 107 and four players, including Dreher and Wade, scored two touchdowns apiece in Clairton's 72-0 romp over visiting California.

The Bears (1-0), playing without coach Wayne Wade, who served a school-imposed one-game suspension as a result of Clairton's conduct near the conclusion of its 19-18 loss to Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic in the state title game, led 24-0 after the first quarter and 64-0 at halftime after a 40-point scoring burst in the second quarter.

“We played good, hard, fundamental football,” said Clairton offensive coordinator Shawn Liotta, who was coaching the team in Wade's absence. “The no-huddle was clean, and we were aggressive from the start.”

Clairton outgained California (0-1) in total yards, 459-84

“There's no doubt they're a great, great football team,” first-year California coach Darrin Dillow said of Clairton, which routed the Trojans, 70-0, in last season's opener. “We'll just press the reset button and take it from here.”

Dreher and Wade each carried just five times while part of a first-team offense that played only during the first half.

With its reserves leading the way, Clairton managed just one touchdown during a running clock in the second half.

Dreher scored on runs of 57 and 29 yards, and Wade reach the end zone on runs of 56 and 36 yards.

Noah Hamlin scored twice on a 91-yard punt return and a 58-yard pass from senior Aaron Mathews, who returned to quarterback, where he played as a sophomore.

Mathews, who was 2 for 5 for 94 yards and two touchdowns, primarily was at wide receiver last season, when then-senior Ryan Williams set a school record for passing with 3,045 yards and 40 touchdowns.

“It was fun,” Mathews said. “I was happy with how I threw the ball. I wish I could've run it more, but Shawn didn't want me to.”

Liotta flashed a big smile when he heard that.

“I know what Aaron can do,” Liotta said. “There's no sense getting him banged up.”

Sophomore Tre'sean Howard also scored two touchdowns for Clairton on a 36-yard pass from Mathews and a 26-yard run.

Dave Mackall is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at dmackall@tribweb.com.

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