Pine-Richland's title hopes lost in snow
HERSHEY - A steady snowfall enveloped the PIAA Class AAA championship game here Friday night, spraying the skies and covering the field.
For every snowflake, it seemed there was a pivotal play. Pine-Richland and Manheim Central exchanged the lead nine times in a game that went beyond regulation.
"It was actually a lot of fun playing out there," Pine-Richland running back Greg Hough said. "It's every kid's dream to play in the snow. It was like backyard football."
The only thing the Rams would white-out was the ending.
Pine-Richland's season ended in a 39-38 double-overtime loss when Manheim Central's Shawn Wilt blocked Patrick Humes' attempt to kick the game-tying extra point.
As Manheim Central (15-0) celebrated its first PIAA football championship, Pine-Richland players fell to the snow-covered surface of Hersheypark Stadium in shock.
It was only the second loss in 28 games for Pine-Richland (14-1). The Rams fell to eventual PIAA champion Hopewell in the 2002 WPIAL final only to return and win their first WPIAL crown since 1970.
"Somebody had to lose," Pine-Richland coach Clair Altemus said. "There's tears right now. It's been a long time since we've lost."
The weather conditions were such that Saturday's scheduled PIAA finals were postponed until today. Aliquippa (13-1) will play Northern Lehigh (14-0) at 1 p.m. in Class AA, and Central Catholic (13-1) will play North Penn (14-0) at 5 p.m. in Class AAAA.
District 3 champion Manheim Central entered the game as the favorite after outscoring opponents, 531-55, this season and defeating perennial power Strath Haven in the Eastern final. But Pine-Richland relied on the running of Hough, the passing of sophomore quarterback Jake Long and the all-around play of Neil Walker to give the Barons a scare.
Hough missed seven games with a torn triceps in his left arm, but returned in time to lead the Rams' PIAA playoff run. The 6-foot, 205-pound senior rushed for 126 yards on 34 carries, scoring touchdowns on a 91-yard kickoff return, a 65-yard reception and a 1-yard run in overtime.
"We never thought he'd come back," Altemus said. "In his mind, he wanted to. He told the kids, 'Keep winning. If you go far enough, I'll be back.'"
Long, a sophomore, completed 5 of 12 passes for 177 yards. He threw touchdown passes to Hough and tight end Billy Massaro, who scored on a 55-yard play in the third quarter. Long tossed a 31-yarder to Walker, who made a fingertip grab to spark a drive that set up Humes' game-tying 31-yard field goal with 1:01 remaining in regulation.
"It was really exciting," Altemus said. "I've always wanted to coach in something like that. I had fun. I might die tomorrow. If I do, I can say I've been to the state finals. Not a lot of coaches can say that."
Walker starred in multiple ways on both sides of the ball. The Clemson baseball recruit rushed for 31 yards on four carries, caught two passes for 45 yards, returned a kickoff 43 yards and led the team with nine tackles.
"That's what Neil Walker does best," Altemus said. "You put the ball in his hands and he makes magic. We'll never see another one like that. There will never be another Neil Walker."
In the first overtime, Walker lined up at quarterback and scored on an 8-yard run and the Rams took a 32-25 lead. Manheim Central tied it on Craig Gatchell's 1-yard run, then took a 39-32 lead when Wilt caught a 10-yard pass from Jarryd Moyer in the second overtime.
Hough ran four times, scoring on a 1-yard plunge to make it 39-38. Altemus said the Rams never considered going for a two-point conversion, even though Humes had already missed an extra point and had a field-goal attempt blocked.
"Our defense has kept us in the game all year," Altemus said. "You win championships with defense. We figured we'd tie it up and play defense again."
Instead, Wilt blocked the extra-point attempt and ended what had been a perfect season for Pine-Richland. Despite their devastation, the Rams were proud of their play.
"If it had to end in a loss, I'm glad it ended the way it did," Hough said. "We played like a team and accomplished what nobody expected us to do."
