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TIGERS HOLD OFF WOODLAND HILLS FOR WPIAL CROWN

To listen to an archived broadcast of the game, click here!

On the 20th anniversary of their last WPIAL football title, North Allegheny finally made it back to the top by beating defending WPIAL champion Woodland Hills, 21-14.  Seemingly unaffected by the cold night at Heinz Field, the Tigers overcame adverse conditions, injuries, and a furious rally, to clinch their first appearance in the PIAA state playoffs since 1990.  Woodland Hills came up just short in its bid to be the first repeat Quad-A winner since Central Catholic in 2003 and 2004.  The Wolverines also accomplished the feat in 2001 and 2002.

The game featured two of the best backs in the WPIAL this year.  North Allegheny’s Alex Papson entered the game with 2,360 yards and 31 touchdowns, having topped the 2,000 yard mark during the playoff game against Bethel Park.  On the other hand, Woodland Hills’ Lafayette Pitts went into the WPIAL final with 1,709 yards and 25 touchdowns.  With the cold temperatures, and sloppy field conditions from games earlier in the day, it seemed obvious that the running games and defenses of both teams might determine the outcome.

Woodland Hills received the opening kickoff, managing to move the ball on the tough North Allegheny defense, including a 22 yard run by Pitts, before being forced to punt.  The Tigers began their possession on their own 7, using the same tight formation as they did in the second half of their semi-final win over Central Catholic.  After a first-down run by Papson, quarterback Michael Buchert ran play action, finding receiver Dan Slivka for a 45-yard gain.  Slivka had slipped behind the Wolverines secondary after they bit on the fake to Papson out of the tight formation.  North Allegheny ran for another first down behind their offensive line of Vince Czerniewski, Justin Haser, Zach Harvey, Pete Thistle, and Patrick Kugler.  Buchert then found Slivka again on a 33 yard strike, marked out of bounds at the Wolverines’ 3.  To cap off the 9 play drive, tight end Rob Kugler made a one-handed catch in the back of the end zone.  Alex Greenblatt’s extra point was true, and the Tigers led 7-0.  On the opening drive, Buchert was 3-3 for 81 yards, including the touchdown pass to Kugler.  The teams traded possessions for the remainder of the quarter, but neither getting much in terms of yardage.

On the first full possession of the second quarter, Woodland Hills took over at the Tigers’ 33.  Their first play, quarterback Pat Menifee looked deep for Shakim Alonzo, but safety Matt Steinbeck made a great defensive play by knocking the ball away.  After a Pitts run, Tiger linebacker Kevin Cope sacked Menifee, ruining the Wolverines’ best starting field position of the first half.

North Allegheny took over at their own 25 and immediately began to drive the ball with Papson.  Near midfield, Buchert completed another deep ball to Slivka, who came down with an acrobatic 27 yard catch.  The drive concluded with Buchert finding James Kleinhampl in the corner of the end zone for the 14-0 lead.  On the following possession, the Tiger defense manhandled the Wolverine attack, forcing another punt.  North Allegheny increased its lead when Papson dove into the line, and was initially stopped, but never touched down.  He kept his legs churning and emerged from the mass of humanity for an improbable 43-yard touchdown run with 2:56 to go before halftime.  The Wolverines threatened just before the break after Menifee completed a 46 yard pass to Alonzo, taking the ball to the North Allegheny 3.  However, on a handoff from just outside the goal line, the exchange was fumbled and recovered by North Allegheny’s Kevin Cope, securing the Tigers’ 21-0 halftime lead.  The North Allegheny defense seemed in command, holding Woodland Hills to just 74 first half yards. 

The second half began in similar fashion, as the Tigers wound the clock with a series of runs.  Teams alternated possessions without much offense.  Then, just as the end of their season seemed near, Woodland Hills roared to life as quarterback Menifee hooked up with Alonzo on a 46 yard TD pass.  On their next possession, the North Allegheny situation grew even more tenuous, as Papson and Steinbeck both left with injuries.  The drive stalled and the Tigers lined up to punt.  However, the ball was snapped over the punters head, and Woodland Hills took over at the Tiger 24.  On the first place from scrimmage, Pitts scored on a 24 yard scamper, as Woodland Hills stole the momentum from North Allegheny.  Seemingly out of it, the Wolverines roared back to make it a one possession game as the fourth quarter began.

Although Woodland Hills had the momentum, they never managed to score again.  The North Allegheny defense dug in, and refused to yield to the Wolverine attack.  Sparked by Cope, Seth Marx, Rob Kugler, a touchdown-saving break up by sophomore Brendan Conniker, Woodland Hills ran out of time and the comeback fell short.  The defense ultimately iced the game thanks to an interception by senior Clay Bunting.

For his efforts quarterbacking the WPIAL champion, Michael Buchert was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game.  With the win, North Allegheny will face State College, in a rematch of a game played the first week of the season.  In that game, the Tigers won 42-7, but State College will undoubtedly be looking to avenge the early-season loss.  The game will take place at Pine-Richland.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.  Check the North Allegheny Sports Network home page for ticket information.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 21   WOODLAND HILLS – 14

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TEAM STATS

INDIVIDUAL STATS

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