It had been almost 20 years since a WPIAL running back had eclipsed 2,000 yards rushing during a regular season.

Last night, Mars' Bill Bair made sure the drought ended. Bair put his stamp on the best rushing year in the WPIAL since Laurel Highlands' Jim Smith ran for 2,026 yards in 1989 in the Planets' 42-6 victory against Mohawk (4-5, 3-5).

Mars is 8-1 overall, 8-0 in Tri-County North play. Bair carried 24 times for 243 yards last night and has 2,112 yards on 219 carries this season.

Bair also scored six touchdowns to push his WPIAL- leading total to 34 for the year. He scored on runs of 1, 5, 12, 37 and 44 yards, and while playing on the other side of the ball, returned an interception 48 yards.

Mars attempted only one pass and picked off four of Mohawk's throws.

Other games

Yough 52, Southmoreland 37

Ben Hoffer gained 401 yards on just 20 carries, the ninth rusher in WPIAL history to top 400, as he led the Cougars (3-6, 3-5) to an Interstate victory against the Scotties (3-6, 3-5). Hoffer had 331 yards at halftime. The teams combined for 732 rushing yards. Hoffer also scored six touchdowns for the Cougars.

Riverside 69, Ellwood City 14

Riverside running back Jake Wickline carried 11 times for 221 yards and five touchdowns, putting him over 4,000 yards for his career. He has 4,032. Riverside (8-1) won this non-conference contest against Ellwood City (0-9), which has lost 15 in a row.

South Fayette 31, Brentwood 12

South Fayette quarterback Jon Taglianetti ran for three touchdowns as the Lions (7-2, 6-2) earned a Century win at Brentwood (3-6, 3-5). South Fayette held Brentwood quarterback Eric Coxon, who entered the game as the third-leading passer in the WPIAL, to 8 of 18 for 146 yards and a touchdown. Brentwood lost its final six games after starting the year 3-0.

Seton-LaSalle 35, Carlynton 0

Seton-LaSalle (6-3, 6-2) rolled to a Century win at winless Carlynton (0-9, 0-8). The Cougars are on a 15-game losing skein. Alex DeConciliis and Dave Cortese combined for 249 rushing yards on 19 carries. Each scored a pair of touchdowns.

Burgettstown 27, Charleroi 7

Burgettstown (7-2, 6-2) jumped out to a lead on visiting Charleroi (2-7, 2-6) and captured the win in this Century game. Dan Conley caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Brenden Bongiorni to get the Blue Devils rolling in the opening quarter. Bongiorni threw for 142 yards and three scores. Conley finished with 136 yards rushing on 20 carries.

Steel Valley 21, South Park 7

Steel Valley (9-0, 8-0) rallied with three second-half touchdowns in its Century win against visiting South Park (4-5, 3-5). Quarterback Ryan Sabo ran for a pair of scores and David Younkins had 206 yards on 23 carries for No. 3-ranked Ironmen.

Aliquippa 36, Center 26

Aliquippa quarterback Rasheem Jones ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more and Daron Cox gained 168 yards on the ground to lead the Quips (7-2, 7-1) past Center (4-5, 3-5) in their Midwestern contest. Jonathan Baldwin, Matt Lavalle scored two touchdowns for the Trojans.

Sto-Rox 52, Quaker Valley 28

Paul Jones, the No. 2 passer in the WPIAL, threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Vikings (6-3, 5-3) to their Midwestern win at Quaker Valley (2-7, 2-6). Kevin Doubt also scored three touchdowns and rushed for a game-high 164 yards on only 12 carries for Sto-Rox. Kortezz Martin ran for 130 yards on 24 carries for the Quakers. Sto-Rox had 486 yards in total offense to Quaker Valley's 232.

New Brighton 31, Freedom 20

Eric Walker ran for 250 yards and three touchdowns in New Brighton's Midwestern victory over Freedom (2-7, 2-6). Freeport took an early lead but the Lions (4-5, 3-5) scored 28 unanswered points to put the game away.

Ford City 18, Freeport 0

Ford City blanked its sixth opponent in nine games, closing its Allegheny schedule with a win against Freeport (5-4, 4-4) The No. 2-ranked Sabers got touchdowns from carter Haponski, Jordan Eckman, and Ryan Young.

Shady Side Academy 21, Deer Lakes 7

Shady Side Academy (8-1, 7-1) got touchdowns from Dan Rooney, Vince Miller and Brian Nickel in its Allegheny win over Deer Lakes (1-8, 1-7). Deer Lakes led, 7-0, at the half after Zach Guerrieri scored in the opening quarter. game. Miller had a game-high 102 yards on the ground..

Valley 29, Burrell 8

Tracy Booker ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns to lead Valley (7-2, 6-2) past Burrell (4-5, 3-5) in Allegheny play.

Booker opened the scoring with an 84-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter as Valley opened up a 22-0 halftime lead. Valley quarterback completed 5 of 7 passes for 145 yards and a score.

Kittanning 28, West Shamokin 7

Kittanning (5-4, 5-3) closed its season with an Allegheny win over West Shamokin (2-7, 1-7) game.

Washington 33, McGuffey 21

Shawn Vaughn scored on a 49-yard punt return and runs of 6 and 60 yards as Washington (6-3, 5-3) won its fifth in a row, topping Interstate foe McGuffey (4-5, 4-4).

Brownsville 14, Waynesburg 7

Brownsville (1-8, 1-7) snapped a 10-game losing streak with its Interstate victory over visiting Waynesburg (0-9, 0-8). Andrew Jackson caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Brian Ohler in the second quarter for the winning score. Waynesburg finished the season being outscored 273-42.

Summit Academy 20, Cornell 6

Thad Betts ran for 143 yards and a touchdown in Summit Academy's (5-4, 5-3) Tri-County North triumph at Cornell (1-8, 0-8). Terry Davis scored on a pass from LaRon Green and David Lawrence also scored for Summit Academy.

Union 34, Neshannock 13

Union (3-6, 3-5) ended its campaign on a winning note by chalking up Tri-County North win over visiting Neshannock (2-7, 1-7). game.

Northgate 12, South Allegheny 3

Northgate (2-7) came up with a victory by knocking off South Allegheny (2-7) in non-conference play. Pat Carr and Bill Quinn scored on short touchdown runs for the Flames.