Nov 12, 2021 3 min read

GIBSONIA — Different day, same result for Peters Township against Pine-Richland.

For the second time in as many meetings, Pine-Richland defeated Peters Township in the playoffs.

This time, it came in the form of a 20-14 decision Friday night that had to sting as bad as last year’s 35-0 thumping in the WPIAL Class 5A championship game.

No, this one will hurt because Peters Township held the lead for most of the game, only to see it slip through the Indians coollective hands the way Pine-Richland runners broke the tackles of PT defensive linemen continually in the second half.

Ryan Palmieri, accounted for 240 total yards and all Pine-Richland’s touchdowns, the final one from 7 yards with 4:44 left in the game.

Palmieri, who stepped in for injured starter Colton Boyd, threw two touchdown passes, both to Alex Goochis. 

The victory propels Pine-Richland into the semifinals, which will be against Penn Trafford, a winner over Fox Chapel Friday.

“We had trouble tackling and we had trouble moving the ball,” said Peters Township head coach TJ Plack. “We had trouble running the ball in the first half but we found some plays throwing the football.

“They were able to keep us in check in the second half. But, hey, they are one heck of a football team.”

Palmieri winning score came after Peters Township’s Bryce Thompson fumbled a slant pass. It was a bad way to end a good night as Thompson had 11 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

“That was tough play because it was a first-down play,” Plack said. “I’m not going to fault him for that. He tried to make something happen.”

The victory was huge for Pine-Richland and head coach Steve Campos, who took over  after Eric Kasperowicz was removed in April, despite winning four WPIAL and two state championships in eight seasons. Pine-Richland administrators made the move because they claimed an investigation showed bullying and hazing took place in the football program, charges that Kasperowicz denied. Kasperowicz eventually filed a defamation of character suit, which is still pending in the courts, against the district.

Kasperowicz’s removal created an outcry in the Pine-Richland community. Students walked out of school one day to protest his firing. A large group of players wanted him back. Rallies were held with community members to show support for Kasperowicz, who is a teacher at North Hills High School and is spending this season as a volunteer assistant at Pitt.

“We talked about this being the last game on this field,” said Campos of his halftime speech. “Our seniors had a great run and it would be a shame to see it end in a loss. We also made a few adjustments. We knew we could stop them.” 

Peters Township took a 14-6 lead at halftime by going airborne.

Thompson caught a 49-yarder that was a thing of beauty. After sidestepping a defender, Thompson had no one left to worry about.

Thompson and Miller recconnected minutes later ona 58 yards that was just as pretty as the previous throw.

In between, Pine-Richland scored on a 10-yard reception by Alex Goochis from Ryan Palmieri that cut Peters Township’s lead to 14-6 as the extra-point run failed.

Andrew Massucci, who blasted two extra-points, left a 42-yard field goal short and to the right in the final minute of the half.

Miller completed 13 of 19 passes for 197 yards in the half.