Down a peg: Pioneers fall at California, drop into second place
West Greene’s Colin Brady is dropped for a loss by California’s Landon Abercrombie during Friday night’s game at California. (Photo by Mark Marietta)
Mark Marietta
California’s Spencer Petrucci is met by West Greene’s Seth Burns on a second-quarter run during Friday night’s game at California.
Mark Marietta
Mark Marietta
West Greene’s Seth Burns (11) prevents a touchdown by pushing California’s Lee Qualk (4) out of bounds in the second quarter of Friday night’s game at California.
Mark Marietta
California’s Spencer Petrucci crosses midfield on a second-quarter run Friday against West Greene.
California’s Daquan Davis comes down with a Lane Allison pass for an interception that stopped West Greene’s late second-quarter drive Friday night.
California's Spencer Petrucci eludes West Greene's Johnny Lampe during Friday night's game at California.
California quarterback Jake Layhue begins the Trojans' first drive as he spins away from West Greene's Lane Allison Friday night.
Mark Marietta
West Greene’s Colin Brady takes in a Lane Allison pass and turns for the end zone for the Pioneers’ only score in the first half of Friday night’s game at California.
COAL CENTER — The phone at Ed Woods’ house will be ringing quite a bit this week.
On the other end of the line will be any number of coaches wanting to know how his defense could stifle one of the best running backs in the WPIAL.
Woods, the head coach at California High School, might want to keep it a secret. Postseason spots are still to be had for the WPIAL playoffs and the Trojans’ effort Friday night in a 44-12 victory over West Greene in the Class 1A Tri-County South Conference game will be sure to open some eyes.
“I’m not telling anybody anything,” Woods said with a laugh. “I’m keeping that to myself.”
Brady surpassed 5,000 career rushing yards last week, needing 75 and getting unofficially 295. But his longest run of first three quarters of the game against California was five yards. He finished with seven yards on 12 carries.
“The defense stepped it up,” Woods said. “We came out and played (defense) the way we can play. They are getting more confident. We’re playing the type of defense we thought we could.”
California quarterback Jake Layhue scored three touchdowns and accounted for the extra points. Spencer Petrucci rushed for two touchdowns and 131 yards.
“You have to give credit to California,” Pioneers coach Beau Jackson said. “Their players were dialed in and ready to play. Our guys didn’t respond to the speed of the game very well.”
Both teams entered the game with 3-0 conference records and were 5-1 overall. Next week, West Greene goes to Beth-Center and California will travel to Carmichaels.
West Greene had its spirits when Layhue caught a fumble from Brady and went 88 yards for a touchdown with 6:26 left in the quarter. Pioneers fullback Johnny Lampe had just made a gorgeous catch of a pass by quarterback Lane Allison but Layhue spoiled their chances.
West Greene wide receiver Parker Smith caught a 6-yard touchdown for the Pioneers’ only second-half score.
California unleashed a torrid running attack that produced a 22-6 lead at halftime.
On their second possession, the Trojans covered 54 yards in 10 plays. Layhue scored his first touchdown of the game on a one-yard dive. Layhue took care of the two-point conversion, running it in to take an 8-0 lead.
California made it 16-0 when Spencer Petrucci scored from two yards out. Layhue hit Caden Monticelli with the two-point conversion pass. Layhue added another one-yard touchdown run to give the Trojans had a 22-0 lead with 7:52 left before halftime.
West Greene finally broke through before halftime when Allison hit Brady with a short pass and he took it 40 yards for a touchdown. Allison’s pass for the two-point conversion was too high in the back of the end zone.
Petrucci finished the half with 121 yards on 17 carries while California’s defense held Brady to zero rushing yards and the 40-yard pass reception.
Allison completed 10 of 24 passes for 118 yards with two TD passes and one interception.
“We’re going to take this as a learning experience,” Jackson said, “and use it to improve.”
Rob Burchianti contributed to this story.