Split decision: Mikes roll, Pioneers fall in football playoffs
Greene County went 1-1 last Friday in the first round of the WPIAL Class A playoffs, as Carmichaels exorcised some postseason demons with a 28-8 victory over Western Beaver at home and West Greene fell to Rochester 39-14 on the road.
The Mikes (8-2) snapped a 13-game losing streak in the playoffs and a 12-game skid in the first round.
The last time Carmichaels won the in the first round was against Canevin in 2002. That season the Mikes defeated Fort Cherry in the quarterfinals and lost to Rochester in the semifinals.
The seventh-seeded Mikes will now play second-seeded Clairton tonight at Charleroi High School at 7:30.
Clairton has won nine of the last 11 Class A titles, including the last three. The last time these two squads met in the playoffs was in 2015 with the Bearcats picking up a 70-6 win in the first round.
Carmichaels’ defense forced three turnovers last Friday and the offense was led on the ground by senior running back Nick MundellĢƵ 232 yards.
“Our first playoff win in 15 years, itĢƵ amazing, awesome,” Mundell said.
“It means a lot,” said Carmichaels’ running back Brennen Pelzer, who rushed for 51 yards. “We were always told we wanted to up our game every year. Even though we didn’t win the conference, we did win a playoff game.”
Mikes coach Ryan Krull was happy to see his team find postseason success.
“What a great win for them,” he said. “ItĢƵ been a long time. This is good for the team but itĢƵ also good for the community and good for the school. Just really happy for all our kids and all our fans.”
After the Golden Beavers (6-5) went three-and-out on their opening drive, Carmichaels went up 6-0 after a 3-yard touchdown by senior Jacob Lowry.
Mundell broke through with two long touchdown runs in the second quarter of 61 and 56 yards. The Mikes led 20-0 at halftime after sophomore quarterback Kevin Kelly ran in a two-point conversion after MundellĢƵ second score.
Lowry added a second score with a 7-yard sprint to the end zone late in the third quarter. A two-point run by Lowry made it 28-0.
Western Beaver avoided the shutout with a touchdown and a two-point conversion pass on its next drive, as both teams were held scoreless in the fourth quarter.
“We knew they were dangerous offensively,” Krull said. “We forced some turnovers and were able to make them turn the ball over on downs a few times. I think coach (Ron) Gallagher and their staff do a great job on the defensive side of the ball. One of the things he wanted to bring to the table this year as a point of emphasis was creating more turnovers, and we have.
“Offensively, we haven’t really been a big-play team this year but we were able to hit a couple of those, particularly with Nick.”
Krull was OK with his team rejoicing about Friday nightĢƵ victory a little longer than usual.
“I always tell them when we leave the field house itĢƵ over, but tonight I told them we’re going to enjoy this one until tomorrow at noon,” Krull said. “This hasn’t been done in quite a while so we’re going to take some time and reflect back on this tonight.
“I told them if they want to, we’ll keep the lights on all night and they can just stay here.”
After breaking their 24-year playoff drought, West GreeneĢƵ stay in the 2017 postseason was short-lived with a first-round exit.
Trailing 16-0 in the second quarter, the Pioneers (7-4) found the scoreboard when senior quarterback Zach Petitt scored off of an 80-yard scoring run and a two-point run.
The Rams (8-2) countered with eight points in the late stages of the second quarter and led 24-8 at halftime.
Rochester tallied the next two scores, but West Greene ended the scoring in the playoff contest with a 6-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Nathan Brudnock from sophomore quarterback Gavin Scott late in the fourth quarter.
Waynesburg University won its second in a row last Saturday, as the Yellow Jackets prevailed 31-21 over Saint Vincent at John F. Wiley Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets improve to 2-5 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and 2-7 overall.
Mike Stasko scored first for Saint Vincent on an 8-yard run at 12:08 of the first quarter, but Waynesburg responded midway through the quarter on Jake DoughertyĢƵ 1-yard dive.
The Bearcats regained the lead at 3:36 on Aaron AustinĢƵ 31-yard scoring run, but Waynesburg came right back three minutes later on Austin WilsonĢƵ 4-yard touchdown run.
Waynesburg took the lead in the second quarter on Garrett GuthrieĢƵ 34-yard field goal and Justin WillkowĢƵ 44-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Hayden Belcher scored a much-needed insurance touchdown on a 1-yard run with 7:34 left in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Wilson led Waynesburg with 102 yards rushing on 23 carries. Dougherty carried the ball 13 times for 45 yards and completed 9-of-13 passes for 98 yards. Cole Booth caught two passes for 61 yards.
The Yellow Jackets will end their 2017 season at rival Washington & Jefferson College (9-0, 7-0) at Cameron Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Waynesburg will look to spoil the Presidents’ Senior Day and a chance at the PAC title.

