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It was a different path but same result for the 2018 Pine-Richland football team on its way to a second straight Class 6A WPIAL Championship.

After a slow start, the No. 2 Rams offense came alive in the second half to dispatch No. 5 Seneca Valley, 34-7, at Heinz Field on Saturday night.

Defense played a big part in this championship game early on for both teams. Before the scoring started, both teams had a field goal attempt blocked.

The Rams got on the scoreboard with the only score of the first half in the second quarter with a sophomore connection. Quarterback Cole Spencer connected with Luke Miller for 29 yards.

Pine-Richland put the game out of reach in the third quarter, outscoring Seneca Valley 20-0. Spencer accounted for all three touchdowns in the quarter, starting it off with a 16 and 3-yard run to open up the lead. He finished the quarter with a 50-yard touchdown pass to senior Shane Cafardi.

The Raiders finally broke into the scoring column in the fourth quarter on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Gabe Lawson to Luke Smith.

After recovering the onside kick, Seneca Valley’s momentum came to a screeching halt after a 56-yard pick-6 by sophomore Caden Schweiger to seal the championship.

Pine-Richland finished with 391 yards to Seneca Valley’s 210 .

Junior Luke Meckler led the Rams rushing attack with 115 yards on 13 carries. Spencer was right behind him with 95 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. He also finished with 11 of 18 for 158 yards and two touchdowns.

Cafardi led the receiving core with three receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. Miller finished with three receptions for 52 yards and a score.

Pine-Richland improves to 10-2 and will face the winner of Delaware Valley out of District 2 and State College out of District 6 at a site, time and day to be determined.