Hemingway’s 5 TDs spark Canevin over California in playoffs
DORMONT – Maliek Hemingway authored quite a masterpiece Saturday night for the Bishop Canevin football team.
Hemingway rushed for 329 yards on only 14 carries, scored five touchdowns and threw a 97-yard scoring pass as the Crusaders rolled to a 56-21 victory over turnover-prone California in the first round of the WPIAL Class A football playoffs at Dormont Stadium.
Hemingway scored on runs of 1, 49, 45, 96 and 65 yards as Bishop Canevin (8-2) advanced to a quarterfinal round game next weekend against Northgate.
California (6-5), the third-place team from the Tri-County South Conference, led 15-8 in the first quarter but couldn’t overcome seven turnovers. The Trojans had a pair of 100-yard rushers as Cochise Ryan ran for 166 yards on 26 carries and Jelani Stafford had 127 yards. Ryan scored on runs of 14 and 20 yards.
California began the scoring midway through the first quarter when Tim Sheehan blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
Hemingway, however, rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, which ended with Bishop Canevin leading 28-15.
California a 15-play, eight-minute drive that ended with the Trojans on the Crusaders’ 1-yard line as time expired in the first half.
Hemingway threw a 97-yard touchdown pass to Kellan Gustine early in the fourth quarter, giving Bishop Canevin a 49-21 lead. The score came after California had a pass intercepted at the goal line.