HERSHEY — Upper St. Clair coach Jim Render was gushing about his team when two beefy linemen picked him up and carried him off on their shoulders.

There was an impressive victory and a state title to celebrate.

Dane Conwell ran for five touchdowns and 169 yards, and Upper St. Clair's swarming defense set records in shutting down Liberty in a 47-13 win on Saturday night to claim the PIAA Class AAAA title.

"This team continues to get better and they played tough every week," Render said to reporters just as his linemen lifted him off the ground. "Put me down. I'm enjoying my interview!"

No such luck. They left for the sideline where giddy fans snapped pictures of the team and the championship trophy. Chants of "U-S-C! U-S-C!" streamed down from the Panther faithful.

The final game of the PIAA's championship weekend — four state finals in two days — turned out to be over by halftime, with Upper St. Clair leading 26-0.

Conwell scored three times in the first half and benefited from excellent blocking. Upper St. Clair shut down dual-threat quarterback Dan Persa, and Liberty didn't get a first down until early in the fourth quarter.

Upper St. Clair's defense set Class AAAA title game records in holding Liberty's offense to 103 total yards, 7 rushing yards and two first downs on the evening.

"Our defense is so simply amazing," said Conwell, who also plays linebacker. "We just stopped them from the get-go. We dominated."

He's not bad on offense either. Conwell had 107 yards rushing on 20 carries by halftime, when he walked off the field flashing a smile and pointing at fans in the stands. With a 26-point lead, the Upper St. Clair crowd was anxious to get the postgame party started.

Persa finished 7-of-12 passing for 96 yards and one interception. He also hit Ahkeem Smith with a 7-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter.

Upper St. Clair outgained Liberty 346-7 on the ground. Adam Chrissis added 92 yards and a touchdown.