WPIAL playoffs: Jaivin Peel's big day propels Western Beaver over Carlynton - Pittsburgh Union Progress

Jaivin Peel threw for five touchdowns and ran for another to lead host Western Beaver to a 41-6 win against Carlynton in a WPIAL Class 2A first-round game on Saturday.

Western Beaver (8-2), the No. 5 seed, won for the eighth time in its past nine games and moves on to play No. 4 Steel Valley (8-3) in Friday’s quarterfinals. Steel Valley defeated Western Beaver, 21-18, in that round last season.

Peel, a sophomore, had a huge outing against No. 12 Carlynton (6-4), which was playing in a postseason game for the first time since 2001. Peel completed 11-of-20 passes for 271 yards in the game, and he accounted for five touchdowns in the first half when Western Beaver built a 35-0 advantage.

Chris Kirkland was Peel’s favorite target, hauling in four receptions for 173 yards and three touchdowns. All of Kirkland’s touchdowns (13, 55, 93 yards) came in the first half, as did Peel’s 37-yard touchdown toss to Wyatt Sparbanie. Peel added a 10-yard touchdown run in the first half before adding a 46-yard touchdown pass to Jadon Bishop in the third quarter.

Devonte Dean provided Carlynton with its lone touchdown when he scored on a 7-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Brad is a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at [email protected].

Brad is a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at [email protected]. More by Brad Everett