Update: Cranberry Brothers Excel in State Punt, Pass & Kick Competition

If the Pittsburgh Steelers make it to the AFC Championship game in January, at least one Raider – a Seneca Valley Raider that is - might accompany them.

On Sunday, brothers Chris and Brian Hart led the pack in their age division after competing with other regional winners from shown on the big screen at Heinz Field during halftime of the Steelers game.

A sixth-grader at , Chris placed fourth in the state in the 12-to-13-year-old age group. His brother Brian, a fourth-grade student, won in the 8-to-9-year-old division and is awaiting word to find out if he qualifies for a trip to the AFC game and the chance to participate in the national Punt, Pass & Kick championship.

Susan Hart, the boys' mother, said her older son was a little disappointed he’s not in contention for the national championship but excited he got the opportunity to participate in the state finals. Chris also qualified for last year’s competition at Heinz Field.

“The other boys were all older than him. He was the youngest in the group this time,” she said. “Chris is hard on himself, but I said to him, ‘How many kids even get to go two years in a row.’”

The skills portion competition took place before the start of the game at the Steelers workout facility on the Southside. From there, the Hart family was whisked to Heinz Field to enjoy the game with seats provided for them in the end zone.

“The kids had fun when the Steelers were coming on the field,” Hart said. “We were by the tunnels, and they were excited about that.”

Also thrilling for the brothers was seeing themselves on the Jumbotron during halftime. Hart said she and her daughter made sure to snap as many photos as they could while the boys were on the big screen.

She said the family should find out in January if Brian qualifies for the national championship. To earn a trip to the AFC game, Brian’s scores will need to be in the top four across the nation for his age group.

Even if he doesn’t make it to the championship, Hart said Brian was happy to have made it to the state finals and to take in a winning Steelers game. On Monday, he went to school proudly wearing the official Punt, Pass & Kick jersey he was given at the game. He also received a Steelers hat, a Punt, Pass & Kick shirt and a Steelers shirt.

“I think he’s totally satisfied with what he got to do Sunday,” Hart said.