Under head coach Eric Kasperowicz, Pine-Richland has become one of the best passing offenses in the entire WPIAL. But in the Class-5A title game on Saturday, the Rams leaned on elite defense and the running game to dominate Peters Township, 35-0.
Quarterback Cole Spencer and running back Brooks Eastburn each ran for over 100 yards and two touchdowns while the Rams defense held Peters Township at bay all evening at North Allegheny High School.
Spencer scored on a quarterback run to the right from 2 yards out with 4:14 remaining in the first period to cap a 19-play drive for the Rams. Spencer then found a wide-open Eli Jochem on a busted coverage for a walk-in 27-yard score after another long Pine-Richland drive in the second quarter.
The Rams attempted an onside kick that was recovered by Jeremiah Hasley and a few plays later, Pine-Richland running back Brooks Eastburn took an option toss 10 yards off right tackle for a score to give the Rams a 21-0 lead.
In the second half, Spencer took the snap on a third and short and found a hole over the right side, going 33 yards nearly untouched for his second rushing touchdown.
After a Peters Township missed field goal, Eastburn once again took off on an option play, this time racing away from the entire Indians defense for an 80-yard score.
The Indians had chances to score, but turned the ball over on downs in the red zone once, missed a field goal and Logan Pfeuffer was intercepted in the end zone in the fourth quarter.
The Rams, who moved down to Class-5A after finishing as runners up in WPIAL Class-6A in 2019, won their fifth title overall and third in the last four years. Pine-Richland also won WPIAL titles in 2018, 2017, 2014 and 2003.
Pine-Richland will face District 3 champs Governor Mifflin in the PIAA semifinal.
