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NA OFFENSE TOO MUCH, TIGERS TRAMPLE LIONS, 53-21

Junior quarterback Mack Leftwich threw four touchdown passes and ran for another as North Allegheny overwhelmed State College, 53-21, in their opening contest of the season.  The Tigers never trailed in the game, outgaining the Little Lions 569-265.  Most of that damage was done on the ground, with North Allegheny mustering 415 yards rushing on 41 carries.  Alex DeCiantis led the Tigers with 106 yards on just 13 carries, including a long of 25 yards.  Overall, the Tigers had five plays of at least 25 yards on the night.

After State College had to punt on their first possession, the Tigers’ offensive onslaught began, with Leftwich going deep to junior wideout Brendan Coniker for a 56 yard touchdown pass on North Allegheny’s first offensive play of 2011.  Junior kicker Jason Buchert added the extra point to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead before some fans found their seats.  State College returned the kickoff to the 30 and methodically drove down the field. Quarterback Josh Weakland led the Little Lions offense with a number of quick hits.  Their seven play drive was capped by fullback Jack Haffner scampering 12 yards to the end zone, knotting the game at 7-7.  Haffner’s physical run was aided by poor tackling by the North Allegheny defense, as the bruising back bounced off several would-be tacklers before finding the goal line.

The quick flurry of points had the feel of a shootout.  However, the North Allegheny defense began to clamp down as the offense started to jell.  After the teams traded punts to end the first quarter, the Tigers found themselves on their own 39.  Three plays later, they crossed midfield and found an unlikely home run hitter.  Fullback Nick Passodelis took a handoff over the left side, found running room, and scurried 43 yards for a North Allegheny touchdown.  His run was made possible by a tremendous block by junior left tackle Patrick Kugler, who completely demolished a State College defender, opening a huge hole on the play.  Kugler, along with the rest of the offensive line, opened holes in the State College defense all night, allowing Passodelis, DeCiantis, and Vinnie Congedo to scamper untouched for huge chunks of yardage at a time.

Following the Passodelis touchdown, State College moved the ball well, seeking an answering score.  However, their drive ended abruptly when Weakland threw a pass across the middle into traffic.  The ball was tipped by senior James Kleinhampl, and intercepted by Coniker at midfield.  Coniker returned it to the 20, where the Tigers offense took over, looking to blow the game open.  Six plays later, Leftwich hit senior running back Isaiah Faulk for a six yard touchdown pass, increasing the lead to 21-7. 

After another Little Lions punt, North Allegheny sprinted down the field once more, highlighted by a beautiful pass by Leftwich, threading the ball between several State College defenders, to Zac Celedonia for 51 yards.  Five plays later, Leftwich found Gregg Garity for a 5 yard touchdown pass to make it 28-7, blowing the game wide open for the Tigers. 

Although State College cut it to 28-14 just before halftime after speedy Saige Jenco returned the subsequent kickoff for a touchdown, the Tigers put the game out of reach on their first possession of the second half.  Their six-play, 67 yard scoring drive was capped by Leftwich running it in from four yards out.  Leftwich earned Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors in his first game behind center for the Tigers, accounting for five touchdowns total on the night. Kleinhampl added an exclamation point moments later, returning a punt 58 yards for a touchdown, set up by excellent blocking by the North Allegheny special teams, putting the game well out of reach.

North Allegheny will be back in action next Friday when they travel to Butler to visit the Golden Tornado.  Kickoff is set for 7:30.  Be sure to catch all the action on the North Allegheny Sports Network with Randy Gore and Rick Meister, live from Butler High School, with the pre-game show beginning at 7:15.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 53   STATE COLLEGE - 21

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

TEAM STATISTICS

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

STATE COLLEGE

NORTH ALLEGHENY

Statistics Courtesy of Steve Heckmann

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