Brashear football coach Ron Wabby became a little misty-eyed following the City League champion Bulls' first loss of the season Friday.

Brashear (12-1) lost, 48-14, to Erie Cathedral Prep (9-2) in the first round of the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs at Cupples Stadium.

Wabby showed a bit of emotion in talking to his team and then to the media after the game. It was not because Brashear had failed in the PIAA playoffs. The long-time coach's sensitivity stemmed from knowing he is not likely to be roaming the sidelines of Cupples Stadium next year after 26 seasons as the Brashear head coach.

Wabby is expected to end his successful tenure, which includes six City League titles, because he plans to retire in June after 36 years as a Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher.

"I could have left last June [with full pension benefits] after 35 years, but I came back to coach the team and I'm glad I did," said Wabby, despite losing in the first round of the PIAA playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.

Wabby said he would like to continue coaching at Brashear, but knows it's unrealistic to remain as head coach.

The teacher's union in the city school system gives first priority to its members for varsity coaching positions. While there are several non-faculty members coaching varsity sports in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, it is usually with sports such as volleyball, soccer or tennis.

Among the City League's nine varsity head football coaches, only Westinghouse coach C.J. Connor is a non-faculty member who does not belong to the teachers union.

"I could coach again if no one [in the union] applies for my job, but there isn't much chance of that happening," Wabby said.

"I'll probably go south [to live in the fall and winter in Florida] next season. If I'm not coaching the team, it would be hard to stay around here during football season."

Erie Prep coach Don Holl paid tribute to Wabby and the Brashear program after the contest despite his team's mastery over the Bulls.

"I have a lot of respect for coach Wabby," said Holl, a former offensive coordinator at Gannon University in Erie where he recruited several Brashear players.

"[Wabby] was one of my favorite guys when I was recruiting [for Gannon]. When I got a call from him, I used to take a little extra time for him. Knowing what coaching football is like, the job he's done for all these years has been great and he's done it in a very competitive sport.

"I know his football team didn't give us their best shot tonight and they really couldn't build that much momentum. We've all been on that side of it. They didn't have a chance to really get going.

"We played well and were fortunate to get the breaks in the first half that helped us advance to the next round."

Cathedral Prep faces WPIAL champion Central Catholic (13-0) in a PIAA quarterfinal Friday in Erie.

Brashear was outgained, 299-247, by the Ramblers. The Bulls were led by quarterback Jermaine Robinson's 216 yards passing, which included a 55-yard scoring strike to Quamane Bryant.

The Bulls, however, committed six turnovers. Erie Prep running back Akeem Satterfield rushed for 222 yards and scored five touchdowns.

"That No. 31 [Satterfield] is probably one of the best backs I've ever seen ... I'm [still] proud of our kids," Wabby said moments after giving his team one final postgame talk in the end zone.

"We dug a hole early and they're too good of a team to do that against. But our guys never quit. They kept trying and they kept trying and trying."