5A Quarterfinals: Penn-Trafford 42, Fox Chapel Area 14

Host Penn-Trafford wasted no time in establishing control against Fox Chapel Area, as the No. 2 seeded Warriors scored touchdowns on all five of their first half drives, and cruised to a 42-14 win against No. 10 Fox Chapel Area in the WPIAL 5A quarterfinals. Penn-Trafford running back Cade Yacamelli scored three of those touchdowns, rushing for 3 and 55-yard scores and adding a 16-yard reception from Carter Green. Green was equally as effective, as he provided a pair of rushing scores. The PT defense also played a prominent role in staking the Warriors (9-2) to a 35-0 halftime lead, as it forced a pair of turnovers. With the mercy rule in effect for the entire second half, the Foxes (5-7) scored their first points on an 8-yard run by Khi’Lee Patterson, who replaced injured starting QB Collin Dietz in the regular-season finale. The Warriors added a TD run by Conlan Greene in the fourth quarter, while Zidane Thomas capped the scoring with a 27-yard scamper for the Foxes. Yacamelli amassed 140 yards on just 10 rushing attempts, while Green rushed for 101 yards and added another 56 yards through the air. Penn-Trafford advances to the 5A semifinals, and will face third-seeded Pine-Richland (7-4) at a site and time to be determined. The Rams edged Peters Township 20-14 on Friday. Pine-Richland defeated Penn-Trafford in last year's semifinal, on its way to WPIAL and PIAA gold.

4A Quarterfinals: Belle Vernon Area 45, New Castle 20

Top-seeded Belle Vernon Area forced four turnovers and showed its quick-strike ability on offense, as the Leopards knocked off New Castle 45-20 in the 4A quarterfinals. The host Leopards (9-0) recovered three fumbles and also notched an interception against the No. 9 Red Hurricanes (7-5). Quinton Martin paced the Leopards rushing attack, as he compiled 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while QB Devin Whitlock was 6-of-9 passing for 144 yards and a score, and he rushed for 77 yards and two scores. Holding a narrow two-point lead in the second quarter, BVA scored three touchdowns unanswered to gain command 35-12 at halftime. In the defeat, New Castle QB Chris Hood threw for 191 yards and also rushed for 77, while receiver Mike Wells caught six passes for 129 yards. The Leopards move on to the 4A semifinals, where they battle No. 5 seed and conference rival Thomas Jefferson (8-2) at a site and time to be determined. The Jaguars hammered Hampton 42-14 on Friday. Belle Vernon won the regular season battle between the teams 28-21 on a late Whitlock touchdown run.

3A Quarterfinals: Avonworth 49, Mount Pleasant Area 7

Mount Pleasant Area had no answer for Avonworth running back Ian Syam, who scored six touchdowns in the first half to propel No. 3 Avonworth to a lopsided 49-7 triumph against the sixth-seeded Vikings. Syam compiled 244 yards rushing, all in the first half, as the Antelopes (9-2) led 49-0 at the halftime break. Luke Hilyard accounted for the other Antelopes’ score, while Robbie Labuda notched the lone TD and produced 101 yards rushing on 20 attempts for Mount Pleasant Area (6-5). Mount Pleasant Area starting QB Tyler Reese was limited due to injury, as freshman Cole Chatfield saw extended time on Friday. Avonworth will play No. 2 North Catholic in the 3A semifinals next week.