The Steelers and Bengals totally outplayed their inferior opponents but both lost. In what were supposed to be easy wins against opponents with 2-7 records, both fell short, keeping the AFC North race tight.

The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled all season but were 2-2 in their last four games coming into Sunday’s game against the Steelers. This wasn’t supposed to be a real test, but once again Pittsburgh’s special teams gave up a 97-yard kickoff return by Jamaal Charles for a touchdown that ended up being the difference in the 27-24 overtime defeat.

FILLING IN—Steeler quarterback Charlie Batch (16) directs the team during overtime against the Kansas City Chiefs, Nov. 22, in Kansas City, Mo. Batch replaced Ben Roethlisberger who was injured on an earlier play.

The WPIAL finals are set and eight teams around the area will face-off Nov. 27, at Heinz Field. Listed below are the games and times.

Class AAAA—Gateway (12-0) vs. Woodland Hills (11-1)—8 p.m. Gateway’s last loss was to Bethel Park in this very game last year. They will look to redeem themselves this season against the Wolverines who are undefeated against WPIAL teams this season.

GATORS ADVANCE —Gateway’s Dayonne Nunley returns a kickoff for a touchdown against North Hills in the WPIAL AAAA semifinal game at Fox Chapel High School Nov. 20. Gateway defeated North Hills 42-20 to advance to the WPIAL championship game at Heinz Field.

Schenley (10-1) has been on an absolute tear since their week three loss against Brashear. Since then they have won seven in a row, including an impressive 34-32 double-overtime win against an Oliver team who had won eight of their previous nine.

Not fazed by the task, Schenley traveled north of Pittsburgh to DuBois, Pa. last Friday to take on Punxsutawney High School in the play-in round of the PIAA state playoffs. Schenley took care of business by shutting out the Chucks, 54-0.

VICTORY CELEBRATION—The City Area All Stars celebrate their 28-0 win over the WPIAL North All Stars.

(Wharton, N.J.)—SportsLink and Football University recently announced that Dontae Broadus, an eighth-grader from Turtle Creek has been selected to play in the second annual “Football University Youth All-American Bowl” taking place in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 10  The game will be broadcast live on the Web. The bowl honors the top seventh- and eighth-graders in the nation, bringing them together to play in an all-star format on a national stage. It is modeled after the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and will be held in the same city during the same week. Both games are produced by SportsLink.