The WPIAL batted .500 at the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge this weekend.

Central Catholic, the Post-Gazette's No. 2-ranked Class AAAA team in the WPIAL and PIAA, cruised past Clayton Northmont (Ohio), 34-6, last night at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati in the final contest of the 11-game, two-day event.

One day earlier, Gateway was defeated by Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, 27-6, in the Herbstreit Challenge.

Clayton Northmont, an 8-3 team a year ago, led 6-0 after the first quarter. But Central Catholic came on strong to secure the victory.

Central Catholic took the lead for good in the second quarter when Luke McCall caught a 68-yard touchdown pass from Tino Sunseri and Matt Oczypok kicked the extra point.

Sunseri threw another touchdown pass later in the game and McCall scored on a 16-yard return of a fumble recovery. Oczypok kicked field goals of 36 and 33 yards and Dan Vaughan scored on a 21-yard reception and a 20-yard run.

Sunseri, a Louisville recruit, finished 5 of 10 passing for 122 yards.

Central Catholic's D.J. Myers was the contest's leading rusher with 74 yards on eight carries. Dom Timbers was slated to be Central Catholic's starting halfback, but went down with a knee injury in a preseason scrimmage and is out for the season.

Two other Central Catholic starters -- receiver Casey Totten and offensive lineman Matt Stephen -- also are out for the season with injuries.

More Challenge notes

The Central Catholic-Clayton Northmont game was one of seven played Saturday and yesterday at Nippert Stadium. Also Saturday, four games were played at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

In the game that preceded Gateway-Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, Long Beach Poly (Calif.) defeated Glenville (Ohio), 21-13.

Besides having one of the most unusual nicknames (Tarblooders), Glenville also has to have one of the biggest offensive lines in the history of high school football. From tackle to tackle, Glenville's starters stood 6 feet 5, 350 pounds; 6-5, 350; 6-4, 210; 6-4, 310; and 6-5, 320. That's an average of 6-4²/₃, 308.

But those linemen didn't exactly open a lot of holes to run the ball as Glenville had only 95 yards rushing on 28 attempts.

The current longest winning streak in the country was stopped Saturday night when Elder (Ohio) defeated Independence of Charlotte, N.C., 41-34, at Nippert Stadium. The score was tied, 34-34, after regulation. Elder scored first in overtime and Independence's possession ended when Elder's Keith Hamberg intercepted a pass.

The previous Independence loss was Sept. 1, 2000.

She's a success

Lori Cherup's venture at calling a play was a success.

Cherup, a plastic surgeon and Upper St. Clair resident, bid $1,000 at a fundraiser in the spring to call the first play of Upper St. Clair's opener against Penn-Trafford. The fundraiser was for Upper St. Clair student Sean Roche, who needed a heart transplant.

Upper St. Clair made Cherup look good Saturday night when Shane Brennan completed a 13-yard pass to Adam Chrissis on the Panthers' first play of a 17-7 victory.

Cousins on the run

Montour defeated Knoch, 21-14, Friday and Montour's cousins of Christian Wilson and E.J. Banks combined for more than 260 yards rushing. Banks, Montour's junior quarterback, rushed for 139 yards while Wilson, a senior and a Michigan recruit, ran for 134.

Famous sons

Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway is an assistant coach at Cherry Creek High (Colo.), where his son, Jack, is the starting quarterback.

At Glenbrook North High near Chicago, Zach McMahon is the team's quarterback. His father is former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon.

Elsewhere

Wilmington was the PG's No. 5-ranked Class AA team in the PIAA, but dropped out of the rankings after a 24-0 loss to Ford City. Ford City's defense held Wilmington's Chris Burns, a Pitt recruit, to 54 yards on 14 carries.

This has to be one of the names of the year in Pennsylvania football. Sekela Mwantembe of Upper Darby rushed for 139 yards on 21 carries in a 20-6 victory against Monsignor Bonner.