Tom Nola’s Clairton Bears return to Hershey Park Stadium after their first ever state championship last year over Bishop McCort, 15-3. This campaign could not have gone any smoother for the Bears winning each of their fifteen contests including last Friday’s victory over Farrell, 48-8. The defense held Farrell to just 93 total yards. In the previous game against North Star (52-0), the Bears clamped down to hold the Cougars to negative five yards of offense. Clairton’s defense has applied pressure on the gas pedal all year as the Bears have allowed just 2.3 points per game (1st in the state).
The Bear offense hasn’t been too shabby either racking up 47.3 points per outing. Only second to Brockway (47.9) in Pennsylvania.
The Bears are led by quarterback Desimon Green, who had committed to play at Pittsburgh until Dave Wannstedt resigned on December 7. Clairton has won thirty consecutive contests and are hopeful to repeat this Friday. Standing in their way, however, is the Riverside Vikings from Taylor (near Scranton).
Riverside (14-1), coached by Harry Armstrong, has rolled through the post-season. The Viking defense has been stout permitting just 6.8 points during their five-game run through the playoffs. Riverside has been led by quarterback Corey Talerico and the team’s leading rusher, Nick Rossi, who has committed to play football next Fall as an Akron Zip. Rossi led the Vikings in yards gained on the ground (83) in their Eastern Final win over Bishop Carroll, 34-20. Talerico scored four total touchdowns and threw for 165 yards. Senior wideout Skylar Lavarge gained 158 of Riverside’s 165 yards receiving on five catches. The Vikings topped District 2 in points scored (36.7) and points against (11.6) this season.
The 2010 PIAA Class A State Championship game will take place at 2:00 on Friday at Hershey Park Stadium.
