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Unbeaten no more: Pittsburg falls to Folsom in a tense NorCal championship game

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Unbeaten no more: Pittsburg falls to Folsom in a tense NorCal championship game


FOLSOM — What had been a perfect season for Pittsburg under new head coach Charlie Ramirez, one that included league and section championships and 13 victories, ended on a damp and cool Saturday night at the edge of the Sierra foothills.

One of the oldest cliches about the sport of football is it’s a game of inches.

For the visitors from the Bay Area, the axiom rung true as they watched Folsom celebrate a Northern California Division 1-A regional championship they thought would be theirs.

The home team prevailed 28-25 behind its star quarterback, sophomore Ryder Lyons, who ran for three touchdowns and passed for another.

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“We knew what they were going to do; they did it,” Ramirez said. “We just shot ourselves in the foot too many times with unnecessary penalties. It was a pretty clean game overall. We forced some turnovers. We did the things we needed to do.

“When it came down the end, we couldn’t get off the field when we needed to and we had a couple of missed plays here and there or it could have been a much different outcome.”

Pittsburg’s Jamar Searcy (28) sits dejected on the bench after being defeated by Folsom during their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 

Folsom took the lead with five minutes to play when Lyons connected with Jameson Powell from 15 yards out, a touchdown that made it 21-18.

Jamar Searcy returned the ensuing kickoff 43 yards to the Pittsburg 45.

The Pirates immediately began to march downfield as Searcy ran for 10 yards and moved the chains again with a 1-yard run to the Folsom 35.

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Four snaps later, on fourth-and-8 from the 33, quarterback Marley Alcantara rolled right, tucked the ball under his arm and sprinted toward the first down marker.

“I definitely got it,” Alcantara said. “I definitely saw the marker on the ground. I know I didn’t step out of bounds. It was just a bad spot.”

The officials placed the ball between the 25 and 26.

After the measurement went against Pittsburg, Folsom took possession and drove downfield again, benefiting from a personal foul and unsportsmanlike penalties that moved the Bulldogs to the 11.

Pittsburg quarterback Marley Alcantara (12) is hit out of bounds by Folsom's Elijah Gulewich (8) while attempting to get a first down in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Officials measure the ball and said Alcantara was about a foot short of the first down giving Folsom possession of the ball. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Pittsburg quarterback Marley Alcantara (12) is hit out of bounds by Folsom’s Elijah Gulewich (8) while attempting to get a first down in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Officials measure the ball and said Alcantara was about a foot short of the first down giving Folsom possession of the ball. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 

Lyons stretched the advantage to 28-18 when he scored on a 9-yard push-the-pile run with 1:13 on the clock. Pittsburg (13-1) knocked the ball loose at the goal line and a sideline official dropped his beanbag at the 1 to signal a fumble, which the visitors recovered.

But the officials in the middle of the field ruled that Lyons crossed the goal line before he lost the ball.

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The touchdown all but put the game away.

Told that Alcantara thought he got the first down when the score was 21-18, Ramirez said, “I thought so as well. It might have had a little bit of a late hit on top of that. But you can’t get all the calls. It’s a game of inches, and I think that’s what the game showed — 28 to 25. That’s what it came down to, the last couple of inches where we were on the shorter side.”

The game started for Pittsburg as perfectly as its undefeated record. The Pirates drove 73 yards in nine plays on their opening series, scoring on a 4-yard pass from Alcantara to Jadyn Hudson for a 7-0 lead.

Folsom (12-2) pulled even with 4.9 seconds left in the first quarter on a 1-yard run by Lyons, who ran for 123 yards in 27 carries and passed for 188 yards.

The home team went ahead when Lyons scored from the 4 to make it 14-7 with 6:59 to play before halftime.

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“We played with a lot of passion, a lot of grit and a lot of toughness,” Lyons said. “You’re going to face some adversity. Pitt is going to make some plays. You got to get up and fight back.”

Pittsburg answered with Searcy’s 14-yard touchdown run, set up by the running back’s 27-yard run, that cut the deficit to 14-13. The PAT was blocked.

Moments later, Searcy forced a fumble that Charlie Taufa recovered, a turnover that led to Jesus Lua Amaya’s 29-yard field goal on the final snap of the first half that sent Pittsburg to the locker room in front 16-14.

Pittsburg had a chance to extend the slim lead early in the fourth quarter. But it stalled inside the 10 and its field-goal attempt was blocked.

A bobbled snap led to Japheth Tofaeono tackling Lyons in the end zone for a safety that extended the Pirates’ lead to 18-14. But that merely set the stage for the drama that ended Pittsburg’s season one victory short of playing for a state championship.

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Searcy finished with 115 yards and a touchdown in 17 carries and Alcantara passed for 157 yards and two TDs to lead the Pirates.

“This is my first year being the starting quarterback and then being able to follow behind me and take my lead and being to trust me for what I do and what I see on the field — even though I make mistakes — I just love them with all my heart,” Alcantara said. “Just being able to grind every single day with these brothers, I will forever call them brothers.”

Pittsburg head coach Charlie Ramirez speaks to his players after being defeated by Folsom during their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Pittsburg head coach Charlie Ramirez speaks to his players after being defeated by Folsom during their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Pittsburg's Jamar Searcy (28) scores a touchdown against Folsom in the second quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Pittsburg’s Jamar Searcy (28) scores a touchdown against Folsom in the second quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Folsom's RJ Whitten (4) blocks a field goal attempt by Pittsburg's Jesus Lua Amaya (38) in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Folsom’s RJ Whitten (4) blocks a field goal attempt by Pittsburg’s Jesus Lua Amaya (38) in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Pittsburg's Japheth Tofaeono (20) tackles Folsom quarterback Ryder Lyons (3) in the end zone for the safety in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Pittsburg’s Japheth Tofaeono (20) tackles Folsom quarterback Ryder Lyons (3) in the end zone for the safety in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Folsom head coach Paul Doherty reacts after officials declare that Pittsburg quarterback Marley Alcantara (12) was short on a fourth down attempt in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Folsom head coach Paul Doherty reacts after officials declare that Pittsburg quarterback Marley Alcantara (12) was short on a fourth down attempt in the fourth quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Folsom players celebrate after defeating Pittsburg during their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Folsom players celebrate after defeating Pittsburg during their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Folsom quarterback Ryder Lyons (3) finds a hole and runs for yardage against Pittsburg in the third quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Folsom quarterback Ryder Lyons (3) finds a hole and runs for yardage against Pittsburg in the third quarter of their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
Folsom players lift the first place plaque after winning the NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Folsom players lift the first place plaque after winning the NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 
The Folsom student section dressed in Christmas attire cheer for their team while playing Pittsburg during their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
The Folsom student section dressed in Christmas attire cheer for their team while playing Pittsburg during their NorCal Division I-A regional championship game at Folsom School in Folsom, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Folsom defeated Pittsburg 28-25. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) 



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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh Steelers veteran linebacker suffers unexpected knee injury

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Pittsburgh Steelers veteran linebacker suffers unexpected knee injury


PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers veteran linebacker Tyler Matakevich suffered a knee injury against the Baltimore Ravens and would have missed practice on Sunday, the team estimated on their Sunday injury report.

Matakevich missed multiple games with a hamstring injury earlier this season but has returned and become a core part of the special teams room. If he can not play, the Steelers have inside linebacker Devin Harper on the practice squad, or they could turn to someone else, like Jonathan Ward, to encapsulate what Matakevich does on special teams.

Matakevich plays on all units, including both coverage teams. The Steelers re-signed him this offseason from the Buffalo Bills to help bolster their special teams units with the new NFL kickoff rules. He has four tackles in nine games for the team on those units.

With just four days until the Steelers face the Kansas City Chiefs, any new injuries will have a tough time healing before that game, and it seems likely that those players will have to sit or play through the injury on short rest.

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Texans Release Former Steelers WR

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Texans Release Former Steelers WR


Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Steven Sims is searching for a new NFL home after the Houston Texans cut ties with the 27-year-old WR and kick returner. The Texans announced the move following the elevation of another receiver to their 53-man roster for their Week 16 matchup.

This was the former Steelers receiver’s second season in Houston. In seven games as the team’s returner, he returned seven kick-offs for 195 yards but failed to find the end zone. He wasn’t factoring into then offense at all, with just one carry and three receptions through his seven weeks of action.

The Steelers are quite familiar with Sims. During the 2022 season, he became the team’s primary kick and punt returner. He also became a fixture in the offense as a slot receiver. As a receiver, he hauled in 14 receptions on 23 targets for 104 yards and zero touchdowns. He also added on 13 rushing attempts for 70 yards.

He was much more productive in the return game. The speedy receiver fielded 19 punts over 12 games with the Steelers, collecting 105 yards. On kick-offs, he had 17 attempts for 434 yards, including a season-long of 89 yards.

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In his career, Sims has made a name for himself on special teams. He broke into the league with the Washington Commanders and had a sensational rookie season in 2019 as a returner. That year he had 32 return attempts and collected 819 yards, including a 91-yard return for the sole return touchdown of his five-year career.

Sims went undrafted in the NFL following his collegiate career at Kansas. With the Jayhawks, he hauled in at least 50 catches in three straight seasons. His career best came as a sophomore, when he racked up 859 yards and seven touchdowns over 12 games.

It’s been a tough week for former Steelers receivers. Sims joins former star receiver Diontae Johnson in the free agent market. Johnson had recently been acquired by the rival Baltimore Ravens but lasted just a few weeks before being released.

Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!



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Icy roads, snow across Pittsburgh area leads to several crashes

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Icy roads, snow across Pittsburgh area leads to several crashes


Icy roads, snow across Pittsburgh area leads to several crashes – CBS Pittsburgh

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Snow across the Pittsburgh area on Saturday morning made a mess of the roads. KDKA-TV’s Ricky Sayer was out tracking some crashes and shares some close calls.

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