Pottsville's defense makes a stop during the District11 Class 4A quarterfinals against Allentown Central Catholic. (Photo by Eli Doyle)

ALLENTOWN — Grit met girth Thursday night in the District 11 Class 4A quarterfinals.

Advantage, grit.

Undermanned and undersized, fifth-seeded Pottsville willed itself to a 14-7 victory over No. 4 Allentown Central Catholic at the massive Andre Reed Field at J. Birney Crum Stadium.
“Everybody didn’t think we were going to win,’’ running back JuJu Bainbridge said. “Me and my boys knew we were going to win this, and we got it done.’’

Bainbridge rushed for a game-high 103 yards and a touchdown; Andrew Allen found Letrel Montone for a TD toss; and the Crimson Tide’s defense held the Vikings scoreless over the final three periods to earn the victory.

“We played with a lot of discipline, a lot of poise, a lot of toughness,’’ Pottsville coach Mike Brennan said. “We had to play with grit and toughness to win football games. Tonight was the perfect example.

“Not a lot of people believed in us, but we’re here to play another week.’’

In next Thursday’s semifinals, Pottsville (6-5) will travel to top-seeded Southern Lehigh (9-2), which walloped No. 8 Jim Thorpe 56-27 in another quarterfinal. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

Early on, Allentown Central Catholic (4-7) controlled the line of scrimmage and marched 80 yards in 14 plays to take a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. Quarterback Patrick Cahill found Jiyhzik Figueroa for a 9-yard TD, and Bryson Baker added the PAT.

On the ensuing kickoff, Pottsville fumbled, and ACC recovered at the Tide 20-yard line poised to take a two-score lead.

Then Pottsville’s defense rose to the occasion. A 12-yard sack pushed the Vikings back, and an incomplete pass from the 26 turned the ball over on downs.

“It was electric,’’ senior linebacker Gage Hammer said. “There’s not a greater feeling than just seeing those fourth-down stops and see your offense come out.’’

In Tsirell Curry’s absence, receivers Christian Alvarez (3-45), Montone (4-30), Donovann Durham (2-16) and Max Clews (2-15) picked up the slack. Allen connected on 12-of-16 passes for 116 yards, with one TD and no interceptions.

In the second quarter, a 35-yard Allen-to-Alvarez strike set up Pottsville’s first touchdown. Bainbridge cashed in with an 8-yard run.

The Tide put together an 11-play drive the next time they got the ball. An ACC offsides penalty on fourth-and-5, and Bainbridge’s 3-yard run on third-and-1 kept the drive alive. Allen rolled right and found Montone on an out route for 8 yards and a 14-7 lead with 18 seconds left in the first half.

After ACC’s first drive, Pottsville stopped the Vikings twice on downs in Tide territory, forced two punts and made an interception that squashed a potential tying drive in the fourth quarter.

Behind its running game, ACC reached the Tide 17, but Pottsville stuffed Tate Shoemaker for a 1-yard gain, setting up third-and-7. Brody Herndon then stepped in front of a Cahill pass and returned the ball 69 yards to the Vikings’ 21.

Pottsville’s drive ended in a missed field goal, but the Tide’s pass rush created another fourth-down stop at the Pottsville 42 with 2:17 left in the game.

Bainbridge swept left for 13 yards and a first down, then on second-and-12, he raced 14 yards for another first down.

“It felt amazing,’’ Bainbridge said. “Nothing felt better than that all year.’’

Added Brennan: “He just grinds and he grinds, and so does our offensive line. They complement each other very well.’’

ACC had no timeouts left, and one kneel-down ran out the clock.

“We won a playoff game. That’s one of the things we wanted to do this year,’’ Brennan said. “We’re alive to fight in Week 12.

“From the first meeting in the boys’ gym in March, to where we are now, they believed,’’ Brennan added. “They had faith, they stuck with it, came to work every day and take care of their business. I love this group. I’m so proud of them, and I’m so excited to have a chance to play this week.’’

Game Summary

Pottsville 14, Allentown Central Catholic 7

Potts (6-5)           0       14     0       0  — 14

ACC (4-7)            7       0       0       0  —   7

ACC — Figueroa 9 pass from Cahill (Baker kick)

Potts — Bainbridge 8 run (Allen kick)

Potts — Montone 8 pass from Allen (Allen kick)

Team Statistics

Potts-ACC

First Downs —- 13      15

Rushes-Yards — 27-124      37-147

Passes —- 12-16-0      9-15-1

Passing Yards —- 116      76

Total Yards —- 240      223

Fumbles/Lost —- 1-1      2-0

Penalties — 5-30      7-50

Individual Statistics

RUSHING: Pottsville — Bainbridge 22-103, Allen 5-21. Allentown Central Catholic — Shoemaker 21-86, Cahill 15-59, Battles 1-2.

PASSING: Pottsville —- Allen 12-16-0, 116. Allentown Central Catholic —- Cahill 9-15-1, 76.

RECEIVING: Pottsville — Alvarez 3-45, Montone 4-30, Durham 2-16, Clews 2-15, Bainbridge 1-10. Allentown Central Catholic — Roth 2-22, Weaver 2-18, Brinquez 1-15, Figueroa 2-14, Godbolt 1-5, Schmell 1-2.

INTERCEPTIONS: Pottsville — Herndon. Allentown Central Catholic — None.