News, notes, scores, photos and videos from Week 5 of the high school football season.
Bethel Park’s offense spent the first half of its season leaving little doubt as to its dominance, outscoring its five opponents early and often by a combined 201 points.
That recipe for success changed somewhat for the Black Hawks Friday night.
After falling behind Moon by five points with 2:24 left in its Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference opener, quarterback Tanner Pfeuffer engineered some late-game magic for the first time, scoring a 2-yard touchdown run with four seconds left in regulation before Bethel Park emerged with a dramatic 45-36 victory at Black Hawks Stadium.
“For him to go out there and be able to methodically move down the field with that time and show leadership, it’s truly a testament to how far he’s grown as a player,” said Bethel Park coach Phil Peckich of Pfeuffer. “He’s a tremendous kid and just an ultimate competitor. He did a great job of leading us all night.”
Pfeuffer completed 20-of-29 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns. He completed scoring strikes of 45 yards to Mitch Paschl, 31 yards to JaVaughn Moore and 73 yards to Jack Becklin.
Moore — the Black Hawks’ standout running back who came into the night second among the WPIAL’s rushing yardage leaders – carried the ball 31 times for 202 yards and two touchdowns against the Tigers (3-2, 0-1).
Paschl also had six catches for 115 yards.
“I think we knew that was a very quality opponent coming in,” Peckich said. “It wasn’t one that we took lightly. It was a very well coached, talented team in Moon.
“I think our kids did a great job of persevering through some of the situations tonight,” he added. “Sometimes the ball just didn’t bounce our way early and we did a good job of responding.”
Moon got a pair of defensive touchdowns against Bethel Park (6-0, 1-0), the first coming in the first quarter when Nick Clemens returned a fumble 28 yards for a score.
The second Tigers turnover was nearly fatal for the Black Hawks.
With the Bethel Park offense attempting to kill the clock late in the fourth quarter, Moon’s Jared Moyer recovered a snap that was fumbled by Pfeuffer and returned the football 35 yards for a touchdown, which handed the Tigers a 36-33 lead with 2:24 left in the game.
But, then Pfeuffer took over.
“We fumbled the snap and the ball bounced kind of crazy and it kicked off two peoples’ feet and they scored a defensive touchdown and he didn’t flinch,” Peckich said. “He was able to conduct a two-minute drive out there on the field. It’s something we practice every Tuesday.”
Moon did much of its damage offensively on the ground.
Tavis Lindsay scored on a 16-yard, first-quarter run for the Tigers, while Paul Bronaugh added a 20-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that handed his team a 21-19 lead at halftime. Andew Cross then scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak, which handed Moon a 28-19 advantage after the opening drive of the third quarter.
“It feels great, but we know that there’s still a ton of work to get done,” said Peckich, whose team has now outscored its competition, 301-91, this year. “We know that we did not play a complete game tonight and we have a lot of room to grow. Once again, it’s a testament to a Moon team that was really physical and well coached and has some tremendous players on that team.”
Bethel Park will next face Baldwin with a showdown with neighboring undefeated rival Upper St. Clair looming in two weeks.
“It’s going to be a grind and we know that,” Peckich said. “All we were focused on this week was Moon. Now we get to enjoy this for about 24 hours and refocus it and move on to the next one.
DEER LAKES MOVES TO 6-0 FOR FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY
Running back Zier Williams carried the ball 28 times for 145 yards and three touchdowns to lead Deer Lakes to a 27-26 victory against Highlands in a Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference contest. Williams rushed for a 6-yard score in the first half for Deer Lakes (6-0, 3-0) and then rushed for a 2-yard touchdown in the third quarter before scoring the game-winner from 3 yards out in the fourth quarter. Menage Lucas threw for 173 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions for Highlands (2-3, 1-2).
ALIQUIPPA GETS BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK
After seeing its 27-game, regular-season winning streak snapped a week earlier, Class 4A power Aliquippa responded by dominating New Castle, 62-21, Friday night. The Quips (3-1, 1-0), who won their first Parkway Conference game of the season, ran out to a 42-14 first-half lead against the previously undefeated Red Hurricanes (4-1, 1-0).
CENTRAL CATHOLIC TOPS NORTH ALLEGHENY
In a battle of the top two teams in Class 6A, No. 2 Central Catholic (4-2, 3-0) collected a pair of interceptions that led to touchdowns midway through the third quarter to rally for a 27-14 win against No. 1 North Allegheny (5-1, 2-1) at Baldwin. Central Catholic trailed, 14-11, at the half before Zac Gleason’s interception led to Elijah Faulkner’s 18-yard touchdown run that put the Vikings ahead. Two minutes later, Colsen Gatten returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown to give the Vikings a 25-14 lead with 5:39 left in the third. Faulkner finished with 127 yards rushing on 27 carries. Central Catholic kicker Billy Lech kicked a 54-yard field in the second quarter, which was 1 yard short of the WPIAL record.
DAHLEM LEADS USC TO WIN OVER DEFENDING WPIAL CHAMPION PETERS TOWNSHIP
Julian Dahlem carried the football 22 times for 185 yards and two touchdowns, while also returning an interception 25 yards for a score, to account for all of Upper St. Clair’s points in a 21-7 victory against Peters Township in both teams’ Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference opener. Quarterback Nolan DiLucia threw for 161 yards and a 44-yard touchdown to Eli Prado to account for the Indians (5-1, 0-1) lone points against a tough Panthers (6-0, 1-0) defense.
THOMAS JEFFERSON DOMINATES BELLE VERNON
Sophomore running back Tyler Eber carried the ball 38 times for 175 yards and three touchdowns as Thomas Jefferson coasted to a 42-14 Class 4A Big Six Conference victory over Belle Vernon. Quarterback Luke Kosko threw for 158 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Brayden White caught five passes for 101 yards and a 35-yard score for the Jaguars (6-0, 1-0). Quarterback Curtis Wade threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns for the Leopards (1-3, 0-1) and wide receiver Kole Doppelheuer caught two passes for 137 yards and two scores.
WOODLAND HILLS WINS THIRD STRAIGHT
Woodland Hills rolled to a 30-20 victory over Latrobe for its third straight victory and second in Class 5A Big East Conference play. Mikhail Connor rushed for 117 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries for the Wolverines (4-2, 2-0), while the Wildcats (4-2, 1-2) offense was paced by 218 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries from John Wetzel.
ELIZABETH FORWARD ROLLS TO SECOND STRAIGHT WIN
Quarterback Ryan Messina threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns to lead Elizabeth Forward to a 30-3 victory over Greensburg Salem. Messina also rushed for a 1-yard touchdown for the Warriors (3-3, 1-0) in the Class 3A Interstate Conference contest, while Golden Lions (4-2, 0-1) quarterback Brody Chismar passed for 136 yards and a score.
AVONWORTH OUTLASTS CENTRAL VALLEY
Avonworth remained undefeated in Class 3A Western Hills Conference play with a 21-14 victory over Central Valley. Luca Neal carried the ball 18 times for 153 yards for the Antelopes (4-2, 2-0) against Central Valley (2-4, 2-1), and Nico Neal provided the game-winning 11-yard touchdown run in the third quarter for the game’s only points of the second half.
SPELL DOMINATES FOR MCKEESPORT
Penn State recruit Kemon Spell rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns on just three carries to lead McKeesport to a 54-7 blowout win over Hampton in a Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference contest. The Tigers (2-4, 1-0) ran out to a 41-7 first-half lead over the host Talbots (2-4, 0-1).
SETON LASALLE OFFENSE DOMINATES IN WIN
Seton LaSalle quarterback Michael Pastirik completed an efficient 12-of-14 passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Rebels to a 55-0 Class 2A Century Conference victory over Waynesburg Central (3-3, 1-1). Logan King rushed for a game-high 152 yards on 13 carries for the Rebels (5-0, 3-0), who also got a touchdown run of 6 yards and a reception of 23 yards for a score from Khalil Taylor. Wide receiver Richard Littlejohn also had five catches for 118 yards and a touchdown for Seton LaSalle.
PUP BITES
- Gabe Hein scored three ways for Mars Friday night, reeling in a 42-yard touchdown pass, rushing for a 13-yard score and returning a kickoff 85 yards across the goal line to lead the Planets to a 42-14 Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference victory against West Mifflin. Hein had three catches for 101 yards to lead Mars (2-4, 1-0) and Eric Kasperowicz added 111 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. The Titans (2-4, 0-1) were paced by running back Armand Hill, who rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
- Quarterback Aaron Strader was nearly perfect for Pine-Richland, completing 6-of-6 passes for 110 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Rams to a 71-0 dismantling of Fox Chapel. Tanner Cunningham caught 27- and 37-yard touchdown passes for Pine-Richland (5-0, 3-0), while also returning a kickoff 80 yards for a score against Fox Chapel (1-4, 0-3) in the Class 5A Northeast Conference contest.
- Pat Smith rushed for four touchdowns Friday night to lead Mt. Lebanon to its first victory of the season, 32-8, against Seneca Valley in a Class 6A Quad County Conference game. Smith scored on runs of 12, 39, 76 and 5 yards for the Blue Devils (1-5, 1-2), while Kris Kambitsis scored on a 6-yard run for Seneca Valley (1-4, 1-1) and Cayden Parker found pay dirt from 13 yards out.
- Trinity scored three defensive touchdowns and quarterback Jonah Williamson threw for 130 yards a touchdown and two interceptions to lead the Hillers to a 45-0 rout of Ringgold in a Class 4A Big Six Conference game. Williams connected with Chase Kostelnik for a 25-yard touchdown pass and also rushed for a 1-yard score to lead Trinity (2-4, 1-0) past the Rams (1-5, 0-1).
THREE STARS
*** — Trey Hopper, Montour. The quarterback completed 12-of-21 passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Spartans to a 49-8 blowout of Blackhawk on the road in their Class 4A Parkway Conference opener. He completed two passes for 117 yards and two scores to Daniel Batch for Montour (5-0, 1-0) against the Cougars (3-3, 0-1).
** — Drew Welhorsky, South Fayette. The dual-threat quarterback was efficient in the Lions’ 38-0 rout of Baldwin (0-6, 0-1), completing 9-of-11 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried the ball nine times for 121 yards and two scores to lead the South Fayette (6-0, 1-0) offense in both teams’ Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference opener.
* — Elvis Koutsakis, Gateway. The Gators quarterback completed 24-of-41 passes for 377 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions to lead Gateway (3-3, 2-1) to an impressive 48-20 victory against Armstrong (2-4, 0-2).
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
SCOREBOARD
CLASS 6A
Quad-County Conference
Central Catholic 27, North Allegheny 14
Hempfield 33, Canon-McMillan 27, OT
Mt. Lebanon 32, Seneca Valley 8
CLASS 5A
Allegheny Six Conference
Bethel Park 45, Moon 36
South Fayette 38, Baldwin 0
Upper St. Clair 21, Peters Township 7
Big East Conference
Gateway 62, Armstrong 20
Franklin Regional 35, Kiski Area 30
Woodland Hills 30, Latrobe 20
Northeast Conference
Penn Hills 41, Shaler 0
Pine-Richland 71, Fox Chapel 0
CLASS 4A
Big Six Conference
Thomas Jefferson 42, Belle Vernon 14
Chartiers Valley 42, Laurel Highlands 14
Trinity 45, Ringgold 0
Greater Allegheny Conference
Knoch 42, Indiana 13
Mars 42, West Mifflin 14
McKeesport 54, Hampton 7
Parkway Conference
West Allegheny 38, Ambridge 0
Montour 49, Blackhawk 8
Aliquippa 62, New Castle 21
CLASS 3A
Allegheny 7 Conference
Burrell 22, East Allegheny 14
Deer Lakes 27, Highlands 26
Freeport 48, Valley 20
Interstate Conference
Elizabeth Forward 30, Greensburg Salem 3
Mount Pleasant 22, Yough 19
Southmoreland 31, Derry Area 14
Western Hills Conference
Avonworth 21, Central Valley 14
Beaver Area 49, McGuffey 0
Hopewell 24, Quaker Valley 7
CLASS 2A
Allegheny Conference
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 26, Apollo-Ridge 7
South Allegheny 49, Ligonier Valley 28
Steel Valley 49, Shady Side Academy 0
Century Conference
Charleroi 17, Sto-Rox 6
Keystone Oaks 10, Carlynton 7
Seton LaSalle 55, Waynesburg Central 0
Midwestern Conference
Freedom 20, Beaver Falls 0
Ellwood City 33, New Brighton 0
Union at Mohawk
Western Beaver 21, Riverside 10
CLASS 1A
Big 7 Conference
Laurel 7, Northgate 0
Neshannock 43, Shenango 14
Rochester 42, Summit Academy 7
Black Hills Conference
Bishop Canevin 70, Chartiers-Houston 0
Fort Cherry 42, Burgettstown 0
Cornell 38, Serra Catholic 6
Eastern Conference
Brentwood 41, Frazier 18
Greensburg Central Catholic 45, Riverview 14
Leechburg 54, Springdale 0
Tri-County South Conference
Avella 28, Beth-Center 16
Bentworth 33, Carmichaels 15
California 58, Mapletown 0
Jefferson-Morgan 42, West Greene 7
CITY LEAGUE
University Prep 70, Brashear 0
NON-CONFERENCE
Butler 31, Connellsville 0
Imani Christian 48, North Catholic 28
North Hills 24, Norwin 7
Penn-Trafford 34, Plum 10
South Park 37, Washington 0
Wheeling Central Catholic (W.Va.) 41, Perry Traditional Academy 12
Windber 49, Carrick 6
John is a copy editor and page designer at the Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at jsanta@unionprogress.com.