Sharpsville last advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2004. That year, the Devils faced District 9 champion Curwensville. The Golden Tide proved to be too much for Sharpsville as Curwensville dropped the Devils, 34-6.
Tonight, Sharpsville hopes to return the favor against the District 9 title holder (Port Allegany) with the opportunity to play for the Western Championship next week.
Port Allegany began the game with a long drive which took the Gators inside the Devils' 10-yard line. However, a high snap went over quarterback Matt Bodamer's head and the fumble was recovered by Sharpsville. Two plays later, the Blue Devils gave it right back as the Gators took over inside on 11-yard line following the fumble. From there, Bodamer carried the ball into the end zone from 3-yards away to take the early 6-0 lead.
On the ensuing possession, Sharpsville's Spencer Bland scampered inside the pylons on a 13-yard dash to tie the game at 6 a piece with just over two minutes to go in the first quarter.
The second frame was a period showcasing Matt Bodamer's passing ability as he tossed for three scores within twelve minutes. Bodamer connected with Nick Conway on two touchdown strikes (16, 26) within the quarter.
Prior to intermission, Sharpsville's Bland scores his second touchdown with 44 seconds remaining. The Devils trailed 26-13 at the half. Then, Sharpsville received the second half kickoff which led to a Joey Pagliaroli touchdown catch as the Devils sliced into the Gator lead, 26-19, just one minute and forty seconds into the third quarter.
Following a Port Allegany punt late in the third quarter, Dersean Alberty-Brown returned the kick 40-yards for a touchdown. Trailing by 1, Coach Paul Piccirilli decided to attempt a two-point conversion as Jake Henwood tossed a successful conversion to Brian Stafford. Sharpsville trailed at one point, 26-6, but stormed back to score 21-points to take the 27-26 lead. The Devils didn't stop there as Spencer Bland scored his third touchdown of the game to give Sharpsville a 9-point lead (35-26) early in the fourth quarter.
On the ensuing drive, Bodamer led the Gators down the field to score a touchdown that brought Port Allegany within two points, 35-33.
Following a Sharpsville punt midway through the final quarter, the Gators eyed up a 4th-and-11 within the Blue Devils' 20-yard line. Bodamer threw a pass towards the end zone which fell incomplete. Sharpsville held the Gator attack without points and still led 35-33.
Sharpsville faced a 4th-down from their own 29-yard line with a little over 2 minutes left. Coach Piccirilli called a Spencer Bland run play. The senior fullback picked up a yard and a half. The Blue Devils advance to the PIAA Class A Western Finals after their win over Port Allegany, 35-33.
Sharpsville will face the defending back-to-back state champion Clairton Bears, who finished off North Star this evening, 44-0. Clairton has won 45-straight games.
Scoring Chart
First Quarter
P - Matt Bodamer, 3-yard TD run (kick blocked), P 6-0
S - Spencer Bland, 13-yard TD run (kick failed), 6-6
Second Quarter
P - Nick Conway, 16-yard TD catch from Matt Bodamer (pass failed), P 12-6
P - Trevor Neal, 28-yard TD catch from Matt Bodamer (kick good), P 19-6
P - Nick Conway, 26-yard TD catch from Matt Bodamer (kick good), P 26-6
S - Spencer Bland, 2-yard TD run (kick failed), P 26-13
Third Quarter
S - Joey Pagliaroli, 22-yard TD catch from Jake Henwood (kick failed), P 26-19
S - Dersean Alberty-Brown, 40-yard TD punt return (Brian Stafford catch), S 27-26
Fourth Quarter
S - Spencer Bland, 1-yard TD run (Bland run), S 35-26
P - Matt Bodamer, 6-yard TD run (kick good), S 35-33
