Clairton prepares for rugged Jeannette by routing Riverview

With Clairton's resounding 54-6 victory Saturday afternoon at Riverview, the stage is set for Friday's Eastern Conference showdown at Jeannette.

Clairton, Class A's No. 1 team in the Trib Total Media rankings and the leader in at least two statewide polls, will match 5-0 records with the No. 4 Jayhawks at McKee Stadium.

The Bears built a 32-0 lead with 46 seconds left in the first quarter and concluded their scoring with 8:02 left in the third quarter.

No one could accuse Clairton of looking past Riverview, a school it holds only a 16-12 lead with in the all-time series.

“That's how we approach each week,” Bears coach Wayne Wade said. “I'm glad that we don't look ahead because, sometimes, things can come up and get you. We've been doing it that way for years now.”

Good news for Clairton is the expected return of junior Lamont Wade, who has been slowed by an ankle sprain. Wade, who rushed for a WPIAL-record 2,762 yards last season, didn't dress for Saturday's game after having two rushing attempts against Springdale on Sept. 25.

Senior and Robert Morris recruit Harrison Dreher continued to make key offensive plays Saturday with 117 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. He also threw a 51-yard scoring pass to Tre'sean Howard on an option play.

Clairton's forced four turnovers that led to touchdowns — three times on the next play from scrimmage.

One was a fumble recovery by senior Jhsia Miles at the Riverview 8 early in the second half. Dreher scored on the following play.

“We try to get three-and-out every chance we get,” said Miles, a 5-foot-10, 255-pound lineman. “We want to play fast and aggressive and get to the ball. That's our assignment. That's what we're supposed to do.”

Miles had five tackles and one sack in addition to his fumble recovery.

“I think our defense kind of gets overshadowed by the offense,” coach Wade said. “We've always played great defense. The kids love to get after it on defense.”

Besides the four plays that resulted in turnovers, there were 19 other plays where Clairton held Riverview to either no gain or a loss of yardage.

The Raiders had 12 net rushing yards in the first half.

“Our defense, we like to get shutouts,” Miles said.

Riverview's touchdown came against Bears reserves early in the fourth quarter.

Going to McKee Stadium will be a first for Wade, despite his long association with high school football.

“I'm really looking forward to it,” Wade said. “I've never been there for any game, even when Terrelle (Pryor) and those kids were playing. It's a historic stadium. They've done some great things there with their program.”

Riverview coach Jason Cappa, whose team lost to both schools this year, offered his opinion on Friday's game.

“Both teams do everything well,” Cappa said. “Both teams score easily on anyone, but it's their defenses that really shine. You can take any teams that are fast and score like it's a track meet, but these two play defense like championship teams.”

George Guido is a freelance writer.