MUNHALL, Pa. — The Steel Valley Ironmen overran the McGuffey Highlanders 46-13 to advance in the WPIAL Class-2A playoffs on Friday, November 11.
Playing in a driving rain, Cruce Brookins, a three-star Kent State commit, took over the game with his legs for the Ironmen. Brookins tallied six rushing touchdowns and over 300 yards on the ground.
McGuffey won the coin toss and deferred, but recovered a surprise onside kick to open the game. A 31-yard pass put them in the red zone, and Highlanders RB/SS Kyle Brookman punched in a 14 yard rushing touchdown to take a 6-0 lead.
Steel Valley took a 7-6 lead on their first play from scrimmage, a 63-yard touchdown run by Brookins.
The Ironmen intercepted a third-and-long prayer on the ensuing drive, and Brookins followed that up with a 69 yard carry.
Brookins finished the drive with an 8 yard touchdown run. A failed two point conversion run kept the margin at 13-6.
McGuffey’s defense held strong on their next drive with the Ironmen knocking on the door. A tackle for loss and pass breakup on third and fourth down gave the Highlanders the ball back, but the offense couldn’t cash in.
Penalties and a shanked punt gave Steel Valley the ball at the McGuffey 27, and Brookins ran it in for a 20-6 lead.
Brookins ripped a 46 yard carry on Steel Valley’s next drive to eclipse 200 rushing yards in the first half, but the Ironmen turned it over on downs again.
A McGuffey lost fumble gave Steel Valley a second chance before the half, and Brookins added his fourth rushing touchdown on a three yard tote that made it 27-6.
Out of the half, Steel Valley forced a three and out then blocked a punt. Brookins stayed on his feet to score a 17 yard touchdown, taking a 34-6 lead.
Ironmen LB/HB JeSean Wright picked off a fourth-down pass on McGuffey’s next drive.
Sophomore RB Donald Barksdale added the Ironmen’s next touchdown, a 10 yard tote that made it 40-6.
Brookins’ final touchdown, this one from 44 yards out, made it 46-6. He finished the game with 333 yards.
A 52 yard touchdown pass by McGuffey made it 46-13 in the waning seconds.
McGuffey’s (8-4) season ends. Steel Valley (10-0) moves on to face the Neshannock Lancers next week.
