NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. — The Peters Township Indians claimed their first WPIAL title in program history on Saturday, dominating the Pine-Richland Rams 43-17 on both sides of the ball as they stretched their record to 13-0.
Sophomore quarterback Nolan DiLucia threw three first-half touchdowns, while the Indians’ defense limited Pine-Richland to just one score, a long field goal, until the game was well out of reach. The Rams forced three turnovers in the first half, helping the game look less lopsided than it actually was, but they couldn’t hold off the Indians’ offense forever.
After a short punt set the Indians up at midfield, Rams’ defensive back Tanner Cunningham picked off a third-down pass to keep Peters Township off the board. Pine-Richland then broke the ice with a booming 48-yard kick off the leg of Grant Argiro.
Peters Township Takes Over
Aided by a holding penalty, Peters Township backed Pine-Richland up in their own end late in the first quarter. A high snap on the punt attempt dribbled out the back of the end zone for a safety.
The Indians took the lead on the following drive with a 14-yard touchdown connection from Nolan DiLucia to Mickey Vaccarello, a defensive star with offers from Boston College and Miami. Peters Township began to move the ball with authority, but a fumble deep in the Rams’ red zone and a second Cunningham pick kept the game close early.
Pine-Richland stopped the Indians near midfield with less than two minutes to go in the first half, but a 21-yard rush on a fake punt set Peters Township up in plus territory. DiLucia found Ethan Wertman for a 31-yard touchdown two plays later.
The Indians recovered the ball on the ensuing kickoff, and DiLucia threw a 13-yard touchdown to Carter Shanafelt to make it 23-3 before the half.
Peters Township’s running game took over in the second half. Vinny Sarcone added a 33-yard touchdown, while Preston Blair broke free for a 63-yard score: even DiLucia added a 39-yard rushing touchdown.
The Indians’ defense, meanwhile, continued their dominant play, with Justin Tornatore and Darius McMillon each snagging interceptions. Pine-Richland quarterback Kanan Huffman threw touchdowns of 52 yards and 30 yards in the fourth quarter.
