Lightning only delayed the inevitable Saturday night because Central Catholic already was electric.
Jayden Alexander returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for the first of Central Catholic’s six straight touchdowns, and the top-seeded Vikings sprinted past No. 2 North Allegheny, 42-7, in a WPIAL Class 6A championship rout at Pine-Richland.
They dominated their biggest rival in the finals for the second year in a row, with both ending under the mercy rule.
It took an act of nature to slow Central Catholic (11-1). The game was delayed by a thunderstorm with 1:28 remaining in the third quarter, but the Vikings already led 35-0.
“I would sum (this win) up as our team doing what we know how to do,” said Central Catholic’s Roman Thompson, who rushed for 95 yards and three touchdowns. “We executed on all phases. When we do that, this is the result you have.”
Central Catholic scored first-half touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams.
After Alexander’s long kickoff return, Thompson scored on runs of 13 and 2 yards, and Nick Curinga returned a fumble 10 yards to the end zone to lead 28-0 before halftime. Curgina’s defensive score followed a strip-sack by Ashton Blatt.
“We weren’t letting up,” Thompson said. “We were stepping on the gas.”
The Vikings rushed for 232 yards on 25 carries.
A 3-yard touchdown run by Thompson brought on the 35-point mercy rule with 9:36 remaining in the third quarter. After the lightning passed, Alexander added a 58-yard touchdown run early in the fourth to extend Central Catholic’s lead to 42-0.
The WPIAL title was the 10th overall for Central Catholic and the second under third-year coach Ryan Lehmeier.
“We’ve had some different challenges this year,” said Lehmeier, noting that construction left their on-campus practice field unavailable. “Our days are longer by probably 90 minutes. There are a lot of challenges on these young guys every day, and they’ve answered the bell every time.”
For North Allegheny (8-4), this was the team’s second consecutive lopsided loss in the WPIAL finals. The Tigers were beaten 45-14 a year ago when Central Catholic scored the first 45 points.
This time, the Vikings scored 42 in a row.
“There’s nothing you can say that’s going to take the sting away,” North Allegheny coach Art Walker said. “But you just thank (the players) for everything they’ve done.”
Central Catholic advances to play District 6 champions State College (10-2) in a PIAA quarterfinal Nov. 21 or 22. The Vikings, who finished last season as state runners-up, are hoping to make another run to the finals.
“I’m going to go home and cherish the win, but after that I’m flushing it,” Alexander said. “Because we still have states.”
North Allegheny broke the shutout with 1:09 left on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brady Brinkly to Cameron Kushner. Brinkley completed 12 of 23 passes for 145 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also was sacked five times.
The Tigers dominated time of possession in the first half by a nearly three-to-one margin. But that’s largely because Central Catholic scored quickly.
Special teams gave the Vikings an edge in field position. Aiden Nasiadka totaled 108 return yards on four punts, and Ty Kovalcin returned another 30 yards. Two touchdown drives started in North Allegheny territory, including one at the 25.
“Hats off to the returners,” Lehmeier said. “There were a couple of tough catches to be made as the elements got difficult.”
Central Catholic quarterback Owen Herrick attempted only eight passes, completing three for 37 yards. Instead, the Vikings chose to run behind a talented offensive line heavy in college offers.
“We knew we had to be physical up front. That’s always where it starts,” Thompson said. “They have a dog in Lincoln Hoke. That kid disrupts plays, but our O-line took care of business.”
North Allegheny’s frustration was evident in this one, said Walker, comparing the loss to facing Philadelphia power St. Joseph’s Prep in the state finals two years ago.
“It comes down to depth and speed and size,” Walker said. “You do everything you can to match it and put your guys in the best situation you can to win. Unfortunately, sometimes you can’t overcome being outmatched.”
This was the fourth straight year that Central Catholic and North Allegheny met in the WPIAL finals. North Allegheny won by 14 points in 2022 and by three points in ’23. Yet the past two were essentially over by halftime.
“We’re not going to make excuses,” Walker said. “We’re very proud of our guys that we got here again.”