In a matter of a couple minutes late in the first quarter, Sto-Rox effectively fumbled away the difference in the game in its WPIAL Class AA Century Conference showdown with South Fayette.

The Vikings fumbled twice on special teams on consecutive touches of the ball and both led to Lions touchdowns as South Fayette beat Sto-Rox, 35-20, last night in a matchup of two teams ranked among the top five of WPIAL Class AA by the Post-Gazette.

Jeff Davis rushed for a team-high 84 yards and scored two touchdowns for the No. 5 Lions (4-0, 4-0), who took a 28-0 lead midway through the second quarter and cruised to a road win.

The No. 4 Vikings (3-1, 3-1) fumbled a punt late in the first quarter, and Christian Brumbaugh threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Gardner moments later.

Then there was a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and, 1:55 of game time after the previous touchdown, Brumbaugh threw another touchdown pass to Gardner, this one from 4 yards.

Brumbaugh was 13 for 27 for 203 yards and three touchdowns.

Heralded Sto-Rox quarterback Paul Jones, a Penn State recruit who severely injured an ankle over the summer and made his season debut last week, was 17 for 28 for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

In addition to the turnovers, penalties also hurt Sto-Rox. The Vikings committed 13 penalties for 73 yards.

Eric Myers added a 9-yard touchdown reception for South Fayette, which held a 293-249 advantage in total yards.

The Vikings' Dontae Gilmore led all players with six catches for 87 yards, and Josh Beverly added a 3-yard touchdown run for Sto-Rox.

It was the second week in a row South Fayette beat a ranked team. Last week, the Lions defeated then-No. 3 Keystone Oaks.

The victory allows South Fayette to remain tied with Seton-LaSalle for first place in the Century Conference.

The Lions and Rebels play in two weeks at Chartiers Valley.

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