Waynesburg in playoffs for first time since ’03
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WAYNESBURG – Hunter Cenname rushed for 139 yards, and Waynesburg scored seven points after time expired in the first half, as the Raiders clinched their first WPIAL Class AA playoff berth since 2003 with a 28-19 victory over visiting Derry.
Waynesburg (5-3, 6-3) finished in fourth place in the Interstate Conference. The Raiders had their hands full with Derry (2-6, 3-6), who used an assortment of trick plays throughout the game and was stopped on a potential game-tying two-point conversion midway through the fourth quarter.
Derry used an eight-yard scoring run by quarterback Troy Freidline and a two-yard TD plunge by Josh Flack, both in the second quarter, to grab a 13-7 lead. Waynesburg drove deep into Derry territory late in the first half but its scoring threat appeared to end as time expired. However, a personal foul penalty on Derry gave Waynesburg one untimed down, and quarterback Colby Collins passed to wide receiver Dom Sarra for a two-yard touchdown that gave the Raiders a 14-13 lead at halftime.
After a failed fake punt by Derry gave Waynesburg excellent field position, Collins scored on a three-yard run in the third quarter to push the Raiders’ lead to 21-13.
Waynesburg was backed up at its own 10-yard line early in the fourth quarter when the Raiders attempted their own fake punt, which also failed to produce a first down and gave Derry the momentum. A pass interference penalty on Waynesburg during a fourth-and-goal incomplete pass gave Derry another first down, and Flack scored on the next play to make it 21-19 with 7:04 remaining. The Trojans attempted a two-point conversion but the run was stopped shy of the goal line.
Waynesburg took the enusing kickoff and drove for a six-yard TD run by Cenname with only 1:55 remaining.
Cenname finished with 28 carries for 139 yards after being held to eight yards in the first half.
Derry’s offense was plagued by three first-half interceptions, including on its first two possessions. Travis Wilkinson had Waynesburg’s first interception and it set up his four-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
Derry also turned the ball over on downs at the Waynesburg 11-yard line in the third quarter.