Pius X High School football team loses to Southern Columbia in PIAA Class A quarterfinals

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Brad Fegley isn't known for running the football.

The Southern Columbia High School senior quarterback came into Friday night's PIAA Class A quarterfinal against Pius X High School with just 284 yards on the ground this season.

Fegley proved otherwise as he, wingback Matt Moore and fullback Tyler Levan rushed for more than 100 yards apiece and seven total touchdowns as the Tigers defeated the Royals 55-25 at Nazareth's Andrew Leh Stadium.

Southern Columbia (13-1), which finished with 446 yards rushing on 54 carries, advances to play the winner of today's game between Columbia and Penns Manor in the state semifinals next week.


"Coach (Jim Roth) said our backs weren't hitting the lines hard enough at first," Fegley said. "They were running with a purpose in the second half. I told our linemen they had to step up in the second half.

"It's how we win games. We're confident in our line and backs to keep moving the ball."

After a back-and-forth first half that ended with Southern Columbia leading 29-25, the Tigers began to get defensive stops while piling up the rushing yards and touchdowns.

The teams exchanged punts to open the second half, then the Tigers struck thanks to a big play -- something they benefited from all game.

Moore, who gained 131 yards and two TDs on 13 carries, battled for a 26-yard gain to the Pius X 33-yard line. On second-and-7 from the 17, Fegley faked a pair of handoffs and ran untouched into the left side of the end zone for a 35-25 lead after a failed two-point conversion with 6:14 left in the third.

Fegley's 15-yard run on third-and-3 from the 38 on the next drive extended the Tigers' possession, which resulted in another touchdown.

On second-and-7 from the Royals' 31, Moore scampered into the end zone for a 41-25 lead. A failed PAT attempt kept the game within two possessions.

"We had some mental lapses," Pius X senior linebacker Nico Goffredo said. "They were a good football team but nothing we couldn't have beat, which kind of makes this a little harder."

The Royals (12-2) got good field position on the ensuing drive thanks to a 15-yard facemask penalty on the kickoff. Sophomore quarterback AJ Long (19-for-37 for 325 yards) hit Joey Dalessandro for a 16-yard gain to Southern Columbia's 32, but his next pass was intercepted by Keith Day.

Fegley eventually found junior tight end Jake Becker for a 53-yard catch-and-run, Levan (game-high 173 yards, two TDs) ran for 11 and Moore capped the drive with a 7-yard score.

Pius X appeared it was going to make a game of it, driving to the Tigers' 3 on a trio of completions by Long and his 27-yard scramble, but senior Nick DeRea fumbled on first-and-goal.

Three players later, Levan was celebrating in the end zone after a 77-yard run off tackle down the right sideline for a 55-25 lead with 3:43 left.

"Those were two big stops," Fegley said. "They were kind of getting momentum there and to end it helped us a lot."

"We had our opportunities to win this football game but gave up too many big plays," second-year Pius X coach Phil Stambaugh said. "We turn the ball over deep inside their territory, drive back down and fumble inside the 5-yard line. You can't do those things in big games."

Pius X, which is 0-6 all-time against Southern Columbia, scored on its opening drive of the game.

Drake Freeman outjumped a defender in the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown catch with 10:18 left in the first quarter. Southern Columbia answered two drives later as Fegley found Day, a senior wideout, for a 14-yard score on a slant route.

Royals senior wideout Matt Camilletti was instrumental on the next scoring drive, with receptions of 34 and 11 yards, the latter bringing the ball to the Tigers' 1. DeRea punched it in on the next play.

The lead stretched to 19-7 on Pius X's next possession when Long hooked up with his favorite target -- Boise Ross (six catches, 156 yards) -- for an 84-yard catch-and-run score with 10:52 left until halftime.

"This is the best season I've ever had," Goffredo said. "I want to thank everybody who made it possible. I couldn't have asked for a better senior season.

"I'm proud of all my guys; they played hard. There's nothing else you can ask for."

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/12/pius_x_high_school_football_te_9.html