Last Saturday, for the third time in three weeks, Franklin Regional narrowly edged Norwin. This time, though, the reward was not a section title or WPIAL gold, but rather, the PIAA Class 3A Team Championship. The Panthers proved the best in Pennsylvania courtesy of their 29-24 victory against the Knights at the 1st Summit Arena at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown.

By capping off the season with a perfect record of 22-0, the Panthers captured their third state title, and the first since FR went back-to-back in 2014 and 15. Norwin finished the campaign at 15-4, and was denied its first ever state crown.

“Today, you saw what has been built up over the offseason, all-year long – a belief that they could achieve some great things along the way, and today, obviously, was the top of the mountain for us,” said Franklin Regional head coach Matt Lebe.

The third installment of the Westmoreland County rivalry commenced at 127 pounds, as Norwin’s Coleton Klipa claimed a 4-1 decision. The Knights extended the lead to 6-0, courtesy of a 6-1 decision in favor of Dominic Butera.

The Panthers responded with a pair of decisions of their own, as Chase Smith prevailed 3-2 at 139 pounds, and Max Firestine secured a dramatic 3-1 victory via ultimate tiebreaker.

Norwin regained the upper hand in the next two bouts, as Noah Curren and Jack White each secured tech falls, winning 22-2 and 19-4, respectively.

Michael Ruane responded with his own tech fall for the Panthers at 172, and Ethan Cartwright pulled FR within a point with an 8-0 major decision at 189.

Although Norwin extended its narrow lead when Tanner Shaffer claimed a 6-4 decision at 215, John Montgomery’s 19-4 tech fall at 285 gave the Panthers their first lead.

The Panthers then sealed the outcome in the next two matches, as Salvatore Colangelo won via 5-0 decision at 107, and Beau Finnick’s fall at 114 gave Franklin Regional an insurmountable lead.

Landon Sidun’s forfeit win for Norwin, combined with a one-point subtraction for the Knights for unsportsmanlike conduct, accounted for the final margin.

After opening the PIAA bracket with a blowout win at home against Palmyra, the Panthers ousted State College Area 37-23 in the quarterfinals, and edged Bethlehem Catholic 37-31 in the semifinals.

The Knights, conversely, rolled past DuBois in the first round, and followed with a 29-26 triumph against Connellsville Area and a 37-29 victory against Council Rock South in the semis.