Jeannette stung by Wilson rally

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Jeannette's QB was prevented from cutting outside for big gains in the second half of the 29-28 loss.

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — The clock ticked to zero, and D.J. Lenehan and his teammates removed their helmets and raised them in the air.

This time, Wilson Area could walk off the field winners.

A year after losing the PIAA Class AA title game, the Warriors recovered from an early 13-point deficit Saturday and contained Jeannette in the second half to claim the 2006 championship with a 29-28 victory.

Lenehan threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner to Justin Scerbo with 7:11 left in the game, to give the undefeated Warriors (16-0) their first lead.

Confident

"I knew Scerbo had 1-on-1 so I just threw it up," Lenehan said after exchanging postgame high-fives with fans in the stands. "Hopefully he'd come down with it and he did."

Jeannette (14-2) was stuffed on its ensuing drive and Wilson was able to run out the clock. A sea of blue-and-yellow-clad Wilson fans celebrated as the boys from Easton awaited the title presentation.

"Our defense has been doing that over the course of the last month, month and a half, making plays," Wilson coach Bret Comp said.

Lenehan finished 13-of-28 passing with an interception. He also had 17 carries for 100 yards.

Lenehan won the anticipated quarterback duel with Jeannette's Terrelle Pryor, a speedy player who can run out of the backfield. Pryor scored on rushes of 52 and 8 yards and was instrumental in helping the Jayhawks build a 20-7 lead late in the first half.

Pryor finished with 139 yards and two scores on 18 carries, and was 5-of-8 passing for 93 yards, including a 61-yard TD to Nick Spino that helped Jeannette build its 13-point lead.

"I told the kids ... no matter what happens here, if we win, great. If we don't, it's been a tremendous ride," Jeannette coach Ray Reitz said.

Held in check

Pryor was held in check in the second half, when Wilson's defense prevented him from cutting outside for big gains.

"We started bringing people — and lots of them — toward the end," Comp said. "We figured we'd get to him before he has a chance to go anywhere or find a receiver."

Wilson recovered from a couple second-half turnovers, and capitalized on a fumble by Jeannette halfback Jerry Harris that was recovered by Wilson's Sean Hoffman at the Wilson 15. Harris walked off woozy after the play.

Eight plays later, Lenehan faked a handoff and hit Chris Labatch with a 6-yard touchdown pass as Wilson closed to 28-22 with 10:55 left in the fourth quarter.

"We just didn't make the plays at the end, and that's basically it," Reitz said. "I'm 50 years-old, and I'll get over it. I just hope the kids do."

Pryor had an impressive 52-yard touchdown run to give Jeannette a 7-0 lead before Lenehan tied it with a 20-yard TD catch by Adam Thomas.

Sunday, December 17, 2006