ALTOONA, Pa. — Pine-Richland was unable to overcome 11 penalties and three turnovers in a 28-14 loss to Bishop McDevitt in the PIAA Class 5A semifinals on Friday night at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona.
Bishop McDevitt advances to its third state title game appearance in the last four years. The Crusaders’ two previous appearances came at the Class 4A level, with Bishop McDevitt winning the title over Aliquippa in 2022.
After the teams traded punts to begin the contest, Bishop McDevitt got on the board first with a two-play scoring drive.
Nazir Jones-Davis busted a 64-yard run before scoring on the next snap from three yards out, putting the Crusaders ahead 7-0 with 9:05 remaining in the first.
The Crusaders carried the seven-point advantage into the second quarter before Stone Saunders found Jontai Quick for a 7-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 2, the 200th scoring throw of Saunders’ career, to give Bishop McDevitt a 14-0 lead with 8:43 left in the half.
Pine-Richland then forced a three-and out on Bishop McDevitt’s next drive, and a short punt gave the Rams the ball at the Crusaders’ 29 yard line. However, Rams kicker Grant Argiro pushed a 47-yard field goal wide right, keeping Pine-Richland scoreless.
Saunders capitalized by hitting Dominic Diaz-Ellis for an 8-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing possession, putting the Crusaders in front 21-0 at the half.
The Rams’ longest drive of the first half lasted five plays, with four of their six possessions resulting in punts. Pine-Richland was also hindered by nine penalties in the first two quarters.
A penalty then cost the Rams a touchdown on the opening possession of the third quarter, as an illegal formation nullified Aaron Strader’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Hays. Pine-Richland then fumbled on fourth down.
Strader earned redemption on the Rams’ next drive, however, as he found Jay Timmons down the seam for a 28-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-7 with 5:31 remaining in the third quarter.
Following a Crusaders’ punt, another penalty negated a 55-yard touchdown run by Timmons. The Rams again fumbled on a fourth down run.
Saunders followed with his third touchdown of the game, a 68-yard pass to Quick, to put the Crusaders in front 28-7 with 9:43 remaining.
Pine-Richland answered on the ensuing drive, as Strader found Dajuan Webb for a 29-yard touchdown pass, as Bishop McDevitt led 28-14 at the 4:12 mark of the fourth quarter.
The Crusaders then ran out the remaining time on the clock with a bevvy of run plays. Jones-Davis led the Bishop McDevitt offense with 29 carries for 222 yards and a touchdown.
Bishop McDevitt (13-2) will face District 12 champion Roman Catholic, a 41-17 winner over West Chester Rustin, in the state title game at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field at 7 p.m. Friday. Pine-Richland closed an 11-2 season.
