Clairton got its revenge against Laurel and earned a shot at another WPIAL title as the Bears routed the Spartans, 33-0, last night in the Class A semifinals at Center.

Clairton lost its season opener at Laurel, 15-8, Sept. 4. Since then, Clairton has outscored 11 opponents, 538-23. Clairton (11-1) will face Rochester in the WPIAL title game Friday at Heinz Field.

Deontae Howard led Clairton with 148 yards rushing on 18 carries and scored on runs of 1 and 67 yards. Clairton has posted seven shutouts this season and not given up a point in three playoff games.

Clairton led, 14-0, at halftime and scored its first touchdown with 10:38 left in the second quarter when Joshua Page caught an 8-yard pass from Desmond Green. Eddie Ball's interception set up the touchdown. Clairton scored again 21 seconds later when Green recovered a Laurel fumble and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown.

Laurel (10-2) took the second-half kickoff and drove 54 yards to Clairton's 27. The Spartans, however, gave the ball up on downs, and Clairton drove 73 yards, capped by Howard's 1-yard scoring run. Green completed two passes for 62 yards in the drive.

"The first time we played, it was my first game at quarterback," Green said. "After that loss, we wanted to play them again."

The Bears will be shooting for their second consecutive WPIAL title and third in the past four years. Clairton defeated Rochester, 16-13, in the 2006 title game. Rochester will be gunning for its first WPIAL title since defeating Clairton, 15-14, in 2004.

"We had something to prove tonight," Clairton coach Tom Nola said.

"We played our game this time. Our defense was very aggressive and played hard."

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