Bulldogs into PIAA semifinals; shut down Meadville, 30-6

CLARION, PA – Meadville traveled to Clarion Saturday afternoon with a high-powered ground game. But the District 10 champs left with a 30-6 loss to Jersey Shore, ground into the ground by another strong showing from the ‘Shore defense.

The Bulldog victory moved Jersey Shore (14-0) into the PIAA Class 4A semifinals, the opponent Aliquippa (11-1). The Quips downed Belle Vernon by a 28-13 score in a contest played Saturday afternoon at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

The Jersey Shore win was all but decided in the second period on a windy, 30 degree day in Clarion. Jersey Shore took a 7-0 lead after Tate Sechrist picked up a Meadville fumble and returned it 84 yards for the score.

Meadville responded with its only score of the game on a 43-yard drive, capped by an 11-yard touchdown run from Simmons, but the extra point was no good and Meadville had only one serious scoring threat for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile the ‘Shore offense went to work. Quarterback Brady Jordan hit Cayden Hess for a 56-yard touchdown and on the next Bulldog possession threw a 59-yard touchdown to Cooper Peacock. Shortly thereafter Hess intercepted a Meadville pass, allowing Jersey Shore to add three more points on a Breck Miller 29-yard field goal as time expired; the halftime score 24-6, Jersey Shore.

The second half was a time for the ‘Shore defense to continue to shine: the Meadville possessions went punt, loss of ball on downs, lost fumble, punt, loss of ball on downs. The only second half points were Jersey Shore’s, a Hayden Packer 6-yard run, capping off a 42-yard drive.

Jersey Shore has now given up only two touchdowns in its first two PIAA playoff games. The win put ‘Shore into the state semifinals for the third year in a row.

Karter Peacock led the Bulldog defense Saturday with 18 tackles, including 9 solo. Jordan passed for 173 yards and two scores while Packer led a balanced rushing attack with 61 yards, Jordan next with 43.

JS 0 24 0 6 = 30
M 0 6 0 0 = 6