This time it wasn't just the offense making catches in bunches.
Seneca Valley's Jon Dorogy, Brad Gresock, Ryan McCauley and Tyler Bommer had interceptions in Friday night's 30-13 victory over Penn Hills, including two apiece by Dorogy and Gresock that highlighted the Raiders' dominant defense.
This was Seneca Valley's first playoff win since 2002.
"We heard that we were the underdog and our defense was struggling," said Gresock, who played with a cast on his broken left hand, "but we came out and proved to everyone that we're a great team."
Forrest Barnes had 209 yards of offense and scored three touchdowns to lead the No. 9 seed Raiders into the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs for a rematch with North Allegheny.
Seneca Valley (8-2) reached the playoffs with a hurry-up offense led by junior Jordan Brown, the WPIAL's leading passer. But yesterday, the Raiders' defense had Penn Hills quarterback Jaquan Williams hurrying. Williams threw a first-quarter touchdown pass to Chaz Whittaker but was intercepted on three straight possessions in the second.
Williams finished 9 of 24 for 110 yards and five interceptions. Whittaker threw the sixth pick.
"We kept saying 'again, again,
again,' " Gresock said, "because we wanted to keep getting interceptions. We didn't want to settle for one or two."
This was a home game for No. 8 Penn Hills (5-5), but the Indians' field was too muddy, so the matchup was moved to Plum.
Despite its seven turnovers, Penn Hills kept the score close by holding Seneca Valley to field goals. Michael Denny made kicks of 33, 24 and 35 yards to give Seneca Valley a 23-7 halftime lead.
Brown completed 22 of 36 passes for 262 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown to Barnes on the opening drive. Barnes had 11 catches for 113 yards, and Troy Witt had six for 106. Barnes also rushed 29 times for 96 yards, including two 2-yard touchdown runs.
Penn Hills star Corey Jones was held down, with a 42-yard punt return his biggest play. The Pitt wideout recruit rushed six times for 12 yards and had no catches. A week ago, he scored two touchdowns on fake punts against Woodland Hills. He tried that once against Seneca Valley but got only
3 yards on fourth-and-4. When Jones fumbled a second-quarter punt, Seneca Valley's Hunter Long recovered.
Penn Hills was held to 147 yards, including 37 rushing. Seneca Valley had 365 yards.
Williams had a 70-yard interception return for a Penn Hills touchdown in the fourth quarter.
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Seneca Valley vs. Penn Hills
The Seneca Valley Raiders beats the Penn Hills Indians 30-13 in the first round of the WPIAL AAAA playoffs at Plum High School on Friday November 4, 2011.
