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TIGER RALLY BEATS BETHEL PARK, 19-16

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After trailing for most of the game, the Tigers rallied for two fourth quarter touchdowns to defeat Bethel Park, 19-16, at Newman Stadium on Friday night.  Senior running back Carl DeCiantis scored three touchdowns including the game winner with 4:39 remaining.  Senior CB Christian Totera’s interception and return to the BP four yard line set up the winning score.

Neither team could move the ball on their first possession.  Midway through the period, Talbott drove a high punt into NA territory that bounced off a Tiger player and was recovered by the Blackhawks at the NA 27.  After a 5-yard procedure penalty, junior tailback Lyle Marsh fumbled the ball but fell on it for a three-yard loss.  After Marsh got six yards to the Tiger 23, senior kicker Ethan Talbott connected on a 39-yard field goal to give Bethel a 3-0 lead with 2:33 remaining in the period.  After Austin brought the kickoff back 23 yards to the Tiger 25, DeCiantis gained six yards on two carries.  Senior QB Geoff Greco then ran around left end for five yards and a Tiger first down at the 41.  After DeCiantis got four yards and senior FB Corey Watts picked up a yard, the quarter ended with Bethel Park holding the 3-0 lead.

On the first play of the second quarter, the Tigers fumbled the snap but recovered for no gain.  Greco’s punt went out of bounds at the Blackhawk 21.  After Marsh was held to two yards on two rushes, the Bethel tailback broke free for a long run of 54 yards to the Tiger 23.  After Marsh was hit for a two-yard loss, junior QB Eric Olson completed consecutive passes to junior WR Jon Schademan and senior wideout Jay Bruce for a first down at the Tiger 8.  On second and goal, Marsh went in to complete the 79-yard drive.  Talbott’s kick gave Bethel a 10-0 lead with 6:57 left in the half.  On the ensuing kickoff, Austin gave the Tigers life with a 59-yard return to the Bethel Park 27.  After a procedure call against NA, Greco threw to DeCiantis in the right flat for a gain of nine to the 23.  .  A reverse to DeCiantis got five more and a first down with a face mask penalty moving the ball to the Blackhawk 13.  Corey Watts went off the left side for five and Greco got four more.  On third and one, DeCiantis picked up a first down at the 3.  On the next play, DeCiantis powered his way into the end zone for the first Tiger touchdown of the season.  Senior kick Justin Facer added the conversion as the Tigers cut the lead to 10-7 with 4:34 remaining in the quarter.  After Marsh run for a first down at the Bethel 37, an offensive pass interference call against the Blackhawks pushed Bethel back to the 25.  The Tiger defense then forced a Talbott punt that Austin returned to the Bethel 46.  Three plays lost five yards and Greco punted into the end zone.  The Blackhawks then ran out the clock and took a 10-7 lead to the intermission.

Austin returned the second half kickoff twenty yards to the 32.  On second down, DeCiantis ran for seven to the 40.  Greco picked up the first down on a keeper around left end that moved the ball to the NA 41.  On first down, Locke’s long pass was picked off by senior CB Alex Tarr and returned to the Bethel 41.  After a penalty on the return put the ball back to the Blackhawk 30.  The Blackhawks went on a drive picking up four consecutive first downs mainly behind the running of Marsh.  With a second and nine at the Tiger 34, Olson found Schademan open down the middle for a gain of 22 to the Tiger 12.  After Marsh gained four, junior DE Wes Henderson broke through to hit Marsh for a loss back at the 10.  On third down, Totera knocked down a pass in the end zone.  Talbott’s field goal attempt from the 17 was blocked by Corey Watts and NA took over at the 26.  After Greco was hit for a six-yard loss, Locke hit senior WR Curtis Belcastro down the left sideline for a gain of 56 yards to the Bethel 28.  Tarr saved a touchdown as he caught Belcastro from behind.  On second and twelve, Locke found DeCiantis open in the left flat and the NA senior raced to the 15 for a first down.  On third and seven at the 12, Locke hit Greco at the Bethel Park five for another NA first down.  On first and goal, the Tigers fumbled but recovered at the Blackhawk four as time ran out in the third quarter.  Bethel Park continued to hold a 10-7 lead moving into the final stanza.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, DeCiantis fought his way into the end zone for his second score of the night to give the Tigers their first lead at 13-10.  Rock Vorner broke through to block the conversion, but NA led with 11:55 remaining in the game.  After Marsh returned the kickoff to the BP 29, the Blackhawks went on a 71-yard drive to reclaim the lead.  Runs by Marsh gave Bethel a pair of first downs as they moved into NA territory at the Tiger 42.  Three straight plays gained only six yards forcing Bethel Head Coach Jeff Metheny to call a time out.  On fourth and four, Olson hit senior TE Casey Burke over the middle and the Bethel receiver took it all the way to the Tiger 8.  On first and goal, Marsh went in untouched to put the Blackhawks back on top, 16-13, with 7:24 remaining.  The Tigers blocked the conversion attempt but still trailed by three.  The ensuing kickoff went into the end zone, and the Tigers were called for a personal foul that moved the ball back to the 10.  Three plays gained only six yards and Greco was forced to punt.  The All-State punted lined a kick that bounced and rolled all the way to the BP 28, a distance of 58 yards.  After a motion penalty, Marsh was hit for no gain.  On second and 15, Totera picked off Olson’s pass and raced down the near sideline all the way to the Bethel four.  On the next play, DeCiantis went over the top and into the end zone to put the Tigers ahead for good, 19-16.  Rick Vorner again blocked the conversion.  Greco’s kickoff went into the end zone and the Blackhawks took over at their 20 with 4:39 remaining in the gam.  A screen pass to Marsh picked up a first down at the BP 37.  After an incomplete pass, Olson hit Bruce for a gain of seven to the 44.  The Blackhawks then were called for two straight procecure penalties.  After a short pass to Marsh gained three, a fourth down pass fell incomplete at midfield.  The Tigers then ran out the clock to pick up their initial victory of the season.

Bethel Park gave a great effort in the upset bid.  Marsh gained 139 yards to lead all rushers although 116 came in the first half.  Olson completed 12 of 19 for 145 yards as the Blackhawks outgained NA, 309-160.  With the game on the line, however, the Tiger defense was the difference.  For his efforts in finishing off Tiger drives and scoring three times, the North Allegheny Sports Network named senior Carl DeCiantis as the Player of the Game.

With the win, the Tigers will take their 1-0 record on the road on Friday when they travel to Latrobe for a non-conference contest against the Wildcats.  Last year, NA overwhelmed Latrobe, 49-0, at Newman Stadium.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 7:10 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY – 19  BETHEL PARK – 16

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

 TEAM STATISTICS
 

Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at:  bbozzuto@northallegheny.org