Point-counterpoint: Peters Township wins on Bruzdewicz kick, 38-35
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Peters Township running back Seth Luksik carries the football during Friday night’s WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal game against Penn-Trafford.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Peters Township’s Aidan McCall carries the football Friday night during a WPIAL playoff game against Penn Trafford.
Aiden McCall (10) celebrates with teammate Corban Hondru after scoring a touchdown Friday night against Penn Trafford.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Peters Township defenders Ryan Magiske (35), Aidan McCall (2) and Josh Casilli tackle Penn-Trafford quarterback Gabe Dunlap during last season’s WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal game.
Shane O’Connell
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Shane O’Connell leads Peters Township onto the field for Friday night’s WPIAL playoff game against Penn Trafford.
Peters Township’s Logan Pfeuffer (8) celebrates after Brian Bruzdewicz (28) kicked the game-winning field goal Friday night against Penn-Trafford.
WEST MIFFLIN – In a Class 5A quarterfinal matchup that provided some stellar offensive performances, it came down to one play in the final seven seconds.
In a game that had 42 points in the first quarter, the final points of the night came off the leg of Peters Township’s senior kicker Brian Bruzdewicz.
With seven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Bruzdewicz booted a 26-yard field goal through the uprights and gave the Indians a thrilling 38-35 victory over Penn-Trafford Friday night at West Mifflin High School.
“I just wanted to hit the kick with full, solid contact,” Bruzdewicz said. “That was my only thought process. I just cleared my mind. Things worked out and it went through. This game was crazy, and I knew this game might come down to one kick. It was a total team effort.”
The Indians (10-2) advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1976, next Friday against Penn Hills, a 34-7 winner over McKeesport, at a site to be determined.
“I told the boys before the game that this one was going to be a collision,” Peters Township coach T.J. Plack said. “It was a physical game and whoever made the plays at the end was going to win this one. It was definitely a lot higher scoring than I thought. Champions refuse to quit. It was a heck of a game. What a wild night. It feels good to get the W.”
The loss snaps the Warriors’ (9-3) nine-game winning streak.
With the game deadlocked at 35-35 to start the fourth quarter, Bruzdewicz missed a 30-yard field goal with 9:06 left.
The teams traded turnovers on the next two drives before Penn-Trafford was forced to punt after a run failed on third-and-16.
On the ensuing punt, Aidan McCall fielded the ball and returned it 40 yards to the Penn-Trafford 30-yard line.
“Aidan is just a special athlete,” Plack said. “Special teams are so huge and we made big plays on returns the whole night. Aidan can play at the next level and he has unique speed with great vision. He makes the most of his touches on offense and on special teams.”
Five plays later, Bruzdewicz made the game-winning kick to send the Indians to the semifinals.
“As soon as it left my foot, I knew it was good,” Bruzdewicz said. “Sometimes as a kicker, you just know. I’m grateful for the second chance and it feels good to come through. It’s been a dream season and it’s so cool to have this game on my foot at the end.”
After the Warriors were forced to punt on their opening drive, the Indians took a 7-0 lead after a 6-yard touchdown pass to Corban Hondru from Logan Pfeuffer.
Three plays later, Caleb Lisbon rumbled for a 58-yard touchdown run for Penn-Trafford. Peters Township countered two plays later with a 71-yard scoring toss to Josh Casilli from Pfeuffer.
After a 2-yard plunge into the end zone by Gabe Dunlap for Penn-Trafford, the Indians regained the lead at 21-14 after an 88-yard kickoff return for a score by McCall.
Penn-Trafford ended the crazy scoring spree in the first quarter with some trickery, a hook-and-lateral play. Lisbon was on the tail end of the trick play that went for a 63-yard score.
“It was all about adjustments,” Plack said. “That first quarter was a track meet. I think the kids were gassed from running back and forth so quick. We never lost our composure and kept in the game. This game was full of momentum swings, and we just rode all the emotions tonight.”
After both teams were forced to punt on their opening drives of the second stanza, the Indians took a 28-21 lead after a 10-yard scoring strike to Gabe Maloni.
But just like in the first quarter, the Warriors responded with a score, courtesy of a 64-yard touchdown pass to Lisbon from Dunlap. The game was knotted up at 28-28 at intermission.
The Indians went ahead 35-28 after a 34-yard scoring run by Ryan Magiske, but 44 seconds later the Warriors made it 35-35 on a 43-yard touchdown sprint by Dunlap.
Pfeuffer went 11-for-21 for 129 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Magiske finished with 91 yards on 15 carries.
For Penn-Trafford, Dunlap rushed for 157 yards and threw for 102 yards. Lisbon had 17 rushes for 187 yards.