Middletown defenders swarm around Delone Catholic running back Thomas Tippett during Friday's District 3 Class AA playoff game, won by the Blue Raiders.
(Daily Record/Sunday News - Brett Berwager)

McSHERRYSTOWN -- The last interception was the final reminder.

This game came down to decision making, and Delone Catholic quarterback Noah Landi did not have his best game under center.

Squires coach Steve Wiles said Middletown made great plays in its 35-0 win over Delone at J.T. Flaherty Field on Friday night in a District 3 Class AA semifinal game.

But after five interceptions -- some of them leading to Blue Raiders touchdowns -- a few were marked by bad decision making.

"I don't know," Wiles said. "He didn't make a couple reads maybe he should have. It was like that last interception. That was an unbelievable play.

"We had him beat to the outside and the kid turned, went up and got the ball."

Middletown scored 14 points off turnovers on Friday and made Landi's contest a living nightmare. The Blue Raiders forced the senior into one of the worst nights of his career: 6-for-17, 44 yards and five interceptions.

Many of his passes, Middletown cornerback Mike Lupia said, were telegraphed.

"He was just looking right at his receivers," said Lupia, who had two picks on the night. "They were just running the simple wheel (route) and he just threw it up, (and I) stepped right in front of it."

Wiles said he anticipated man coverage from Middletown, but instead the Blue Raiders came with zone coverage.

They masked several of their defensive schemes behind frequent blitzes, but the visitors also stayed back in zone, waiting for the pass.

"We put them in position where they had to throw," Middletown coach Roy O'Neill said. "That's not what they do. They're a running football team.

"When we got them in that position, it was good for us."

On the year, Middletown had earned 22 takeaways and had averaged two per game. Twelve of those came via interception.

Friday's five thefts only added to the Blue Raiders' impressive total.

"That makes a big difference," O'Neill said. "That's probably where the game was won."

Lupia's twin brother, Aaron, played quarterback for the Blue Raiders. He completed 10 of his 12 passes for a touchdown. He also scored one on the ground.