Neshannock football team embraces challenge vs. Clairton

Mike White's commentary on Neshannock playing Clairton in the semifinal game:

"Until two weeks ago, Neshannock had never won a WPIAL playoff game.

Now the Lancers hope to stop the longest winning streak in WPIAL history.

Neshannock (10-1) plays mighty Clairton (11-0) in a Class A semifinal Friday night at Chartiers-Houston. Talk about opposite ends of the tradition spectrum. Clairton has won 58 consecutive games and a victory would tie the state record for the longest winning streak that Central Bucks West set from 1997-2000.

Clairton has won four WPIAL titles in a row. Meanwhile, the first playoff win in Neshannock history came Nov. 2 in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

Considering those traditions, few might give Neshannock a chance to win. But coach Fred Mozzocio insists his players aren't in awe of Clairton."

(Photo: Robert Boatright (9) and Clairton carry a 58-game winning streak into their WPIAL Class A semifinal game Friday night against Neshannock at Chartiers-Houston. John Heller/pPittsburgh Post-Gazette.)