Westminster rallies past Washington & Jefferson in PAC championship game

Moon grad Cole Konieczka threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes to lead Westminster to a 27-20 victory over Washington & Jefferson in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship game Friday night.

Konieczka completed 12-of-24 passes for 198 yards. Defensive lineman Brayden Thimons, a Highlands grad, had a big night on defense for the Titans (5-0), recording four sacks and 11 tackles. Linebacker Ian Barr had a 43-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the first quarter.

With Washington & Jefferson (3-1) carrying a 17-14 lead into the fourth quarter, Ellwood City grad Luca Botti intercepted a pass and returned it to the W&J 25. Three plays later, Konieczka hit Bryce Sallack for a 13-yard scoring strike that put Westminster ahead for good.

Later in the fourth quarter, Konieczka hit freshman Tylon Eilam on a 55-yard pass to set up a 7-yard TD toss to Ian Valente to make it 27-17.

Playing a limited spring schedule with eight competing schools after the fall slate was postponed by coronavirus safety precautions, both teams came into the title game undefeated. Westminster (5-0) won the North Division. W&J (3-1) won the South.

Seneca Valley grad Payton Skalkos, who caught eight passes for 98 yards, hauled in a 21-yard scoring pass from Justin Heacock in the first quarter, and Trey Everson recovered a blocked punt in the end zone in the third to give Washington & Jefferson the lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Derry grad Justin Huss, making his first career start with Trinity grad Joey Koroly out, ran 20 times for 107 yards. Shady Side Academy product Alex Bellinotti led W&J with nine tackles.