WEXFORD Pa. — Central Valley wide receiver/safety Jayvin Thompson had a hand in all three of Central Valley’s touchdowns in the Warriors’ 19-0 win over Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL Class-4A semifinal on Friday night.
Thompson got things started with a 12-yard touchdown reception on Central Valley’s opening drive. Late in the second quarter, he picked off an ill-advised pass from Brody Evans and returned it 25 yards to the 1-yard line. Antwon Johnson rushed for a 1-yard touchdown on the next play. To cap it all off, Thompson delivered a key block on Deniro Simpson’s 40-yard catch-and-run touchdown to enhance the Warriors’ lead to 19-0 in the third quarter, which ended up being the game-sealing score.
“We ran a fade the previous play, so it set up a slant on the next play (for the touchdown). It’s good execution,” Thompson said about his first quarter touchdown.
On Thompson’s key interception, he just baited Evans’ and read the play the entire way from his safety position.
“We were in man (coverage), and I just read my man, played good D and got the pick,” Thompson explained.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior has offers from Army, Bowling Green, Youngstown State, Georgetown, Saint Francis (Pa.), Holy Cross and Fordham.
“The recruiting process (has) been good,” Thompson said. “I got a couple of offers. I’m excited about the future. I got a couple of Patriot League schools (looking at me). A couple of other Division-I schools.”
Thompson said that he’ll visit a couple of all schools after the season before he makes his decision.
Round 2 of Central Valley vs. Aliquippa will take place at Acrisure Stadium on Friday at 8 p.m. for the WPIAL Class-4A championship. Aliquippa defeated Central Valley, 35-24, in their first meeting on Oct. 28 in front of a sold-out crowd at Freedom Bulldog Stadium. The atmosphere should be electric on Friday night.
