Steel-High beats Union to earn fourth state title

MECHANICSBURG — Ronald Burnett ran for three touchdowns and Steel-High held Union to 170 total yards in a 20-8 victory Thursday afternoon in the PIAA Class 1A championship game at Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Field.

The championship was the second in three years for the Rollers (14-1), who beat Jeannette 32-20 in 2020. Steel-High also won Class A titles in 2007 and 2008.

Bishop McDevitt and Aliquippa play for the Class 4 title Thursday at 7.

Burnette, who finished with 126 yards on 27 carries, scored on runs of 3, 1 and 19 yards. His second-quarter TD gave the District 3 champs a 7-0 lead, which they took into halftime.

Union (12-4) got a third-quarter touchdown run from quarterback Braylon Thomas but failed on the extra-point attempt and Steel-High held the lead at 7-6.

Union’s only other points came on a fourth-quarter safety when Steel-High quarterback Alex Erby was called for intentional grounding while throwing from the end zone.

Erby completed 9-of-15 passes for 139 yards; Jaeion Perry caught seven of those balls for 120 yards. Perry also intercepted a pass.

The District 7 champion Scottie’s were held to minus-29 yards and no first downs in the fourth quarter and 32 total yards in the second half. The Rollers sacked Thomas four times and picked him off twice. He completed just 4-of-15 passes.

Union was charged with a safety in the final minutes when it was called for holding with Thomas passing from the end zone.

Burnette also scored three TDs in last week’s semifinal win over Canton. He ran for 204 yards and two
TDs in a playoff win over Windber.

Union was making its first trip to the championship game. The Scotties list just 27 players on their roster.