FOX CHAPEL, Pa. — No. 2 Penn Hills (12-0) defeated No. 7 McKeesport 34-7 Friday night at Fox Chapel to advance to the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals.
The Indians scored on their first offensive possession and never trailed to keep their perfect season alive.
After stopping McKeesport for negative yards on first and second down, senior Dante Cephas intercepted a third-down pass and the Indians were in business.
Three plays later Cephas caught a 26-yard slant route from quarterback Hollis Mathis to open the game’s scoring.
The wheels quickly fell off for McKeesport as the Tigers committed five turnovers in the first half (one interception and four fumbles). The Tigers fumbled six times and lost four of them as the Wing T offense struggled against a very fast very emotional Penn Hills defense.
Aadeem Snell recovered a fumble on the Tigers next offensive play and returned it 35-yards for a touchdown as McKeesport fumbled on three straight possessions.
Mathis and Cephas hooked up again on the same route later in the half for another 26-yard touchdown as the Indians carried a 20-0 lead into the half.
The second half was merely a formality as the Indians forced another interception but not before the Hollis-Cephas connection completed the hat trick with a 17-yard pass midway through the third quarter.
A safety and a Tank Smith touchdown in the fourth sealed the victory as the Indians will face Peters Township.
Mathis finished 6-15 for 89 yards and three touchdowns to go along with two interceptions while Smith rushed for 214 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown.
Cephas was the leading receiver catching three passes for 69 yards and the three scores
