by Malik Vincent

Perry (11-2) surrendered a chance at advancing in the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs by losing to State College (7-6), 35-26, on Nov. 26 at Cupples Stadium.

Despite an another outstanding performance by Perry’s senior quarterback Greg McGhee, the Commodores failed to convert on fourth down in their final drive and gave the champions from District XI an opportunity to move forward.

ELUDING DEFENDERS—Perry’s Eric Frye eludes State College defenders. Fry had 10 catches for 142 yards in the Commodores 35-26 loss.

“The kids played hard,” Perry coach Bill Gallagher said. “They played of a heck of a ballgame. It obviously doesn’t feel good to lose but with the way we played you can’t help but to be proud of them.”

The Steelers finally put it all together to crush the much improved Oakland Raiders 35-3, but must keep it all together as they face the hot Buffalo Bills 2-8 who demolished the Cincinnati Bengals 49-31 after spotting them a huge first half lead.

The Raiders were 4-1 in their last five games, but despite a record 14 penalties for 163 yards Pittsburgh whipped Oakland like they owned them jumping off to a big first half lead and coasting for the victory as the defense shut down one of the league’s best rushing attacks, holding Darren McFadden to just 14 yards on 10 carries, 94 below his average.

PHYSICAL GAME—Ben Roethlisberger is helped from the field by Steelers guard Willie Colon, left, after being hit late by Oakland Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour Nov. 21, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

by Malik Vincent

Senior quarterback Greg McGhee did in the City League title game for Perry what he’s done all year.

He flustered the defense with both his left arm and his legs. McGhee scored three touchdowns—two rushing—as the top-seeded Commodores defeated the tournament’s third-seed, Brashear (6-5), 32-0, at Cupples Stadium for the League crown on Saturday.

CITY LEAGUE CHAMPS—The Perry Commodores players celebrate after defeating the Brashear Bulls 32-0 to win the 2010 City League championship Saturday at Cupples Stadium.

McGhee finished 6 of 10 for 183 yards through the air and scored on runs of 40 and 1 yards and led Perry to its first title since 2005.

“It really feels good to be back on top,” Perry coach Bill Gallagher said. “We lost a tough one two years ago in the title game to this same Brashear team so it feels good to be able to avenge that today.”

The Raiders came into Pittsburgh to play the Steelers possessing some of the old Silver and Black swagger as a result of being the top dog in the “suspect” AFC West but alas they were sent back to Oakland staggering and bloodied. This game, like almost every other this season, had a playoff-like significance, at least for the Steelers. If Pittsburgh had lost they would have dropped a game behind their AFC North rival the Baltimore Ravens; actually more like 1 ½ games in the rear because the Ravens currently hold the all important, head to head tie-breaker.