Freedom edges Cougars, 21-14
Cole Beck’s third touchdown pass of the game was the difference Friday night as Freedom held off Charleroi, 21-14, in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.
Beck tossed a one-yard scoring pass to Noah Valles for the deciding points.
The teams exchanged the lead throughout the first half.
The Cougars (7-3) scored first when Alex Conrad hit Legend Davis for a 71-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Freedom answered later in the quarter with Beck’s 58-yard pass to Reiker Welling.
Freedom pulled ahead 14-7 in the second quarter on Beck’s 20-yard scoring pass to Valles. Beck completed 8-of-14 passes for 115 yards and also led Freedom with 58 yards rushing.
Charleroi charged right back, though, when Davis took the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for the game-tying score.
Davis caught five passes for 98 yards and carried the ball twice for 20 yards. Conrad completed 10-of-16 passes for 105 yards.聽
Freedom (8-3) advances to a quarterfinal game against top-seeded Washington. The Prexies defeated Shady Side Academy, 21-7.
WPIAL Class AA Playoff Sum
First Round
Charleroi聽 7-7-0-0 — 14
Freedom聽 7-7-7-0 — 21
First Quarter
Char: Legend Davis 71 pass from Alex Conrad (Joey Caruso kick)
F: Reiker Welling 58 pass from Cole Beck (Garrett Paxton kick)
Second Quarter
F: Noah Valles 20 pass from Cole Beck (Garrett Paxton kick)
Char: Legend Davis 87 kickoff return (Joey Caruso kick)
Third Quarter
F: Noah Valles 1 pass from Cole Beck (Garrett Paxton kick)
Records: Charleroi (7-3), Freedom (8-3).