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FOUR TOUCHDOWNS BY DICIANTIS LEADS TIGERS TO CONFERENCE TITLE

North Allegheny invaded Louis C. Martig Memorial Stadium on Friday night with the Northern Seven section title on the line.  Despite the hype that surrounded the contest the past week, the Tigers were able to fend off Shaler’s upset bid, clinching the section title with a punishing 34–17 victory.  North Allegheny pounded the ball the entire night, highlighted by running back Alex DiCiantis.  DiCiantis had 16 carries for 120 yards, punctuating the victory with his fourth touchdown of the night late in the fourth quarter.  His four touchdowns were the most by a Tigers player this season, warranting Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors.  Vinnie Congedo, Nick Passodelis, and quarterback Mack Leftwich all carried the ball frequently, as North Allegheny accumulated 270 yards on the ground.

A light rain fell sporadically during pregame warm-ups, but eventually trailed off after kickoff.  Conditions were sloppy on the field at times, as footing was at a premium.  By the end of the contest, most of the North Allegheny regulars had their once-white jerseys turned brown with mud.  Shaler won the opening toss, but deferred, a questionable call considering North Allegheny led all of Quad-A in scoring entering the contest.  True to form, the Tigers marched down the field in six plays, with DiCiantis finding paydirt from eight yards out.  One highlight of the drive was a 22-yard scamper by DiCiantis down to the Shaler 8.  On the play, lineman Jeremy Gonzales pancaked a Titan defender, while wide receiver Brendan Coniker also threw a textbook block, springing DiCiantis for a huge gain.  Shaler answered with a methodical 16-play, 73-yard drive that consumed 7:02 of the first quarter clock.  However, the Titans had to settle for a field goal after Jarred Lux and Zach Lyon stopped a run on 3^rd and goal.  After the teams traded touchdowns and subsequent punts, DiCiantis scored from one yard out to extend North Allegheny’s lead to 21-10 at halftime. 

Shaler found some momentum with a touchdown drive on their first possession of the second half, closing the gap to four.  The scoring drive was set up when a North Allegheny player attempted to fall on the ball following a Titans punt.  Aided by the sloppy conditions, the ball squirted free, and Shaler was set up nicely at the Tigers 31.  Nine plays later, Titans standout JP Holtz bulldozed his way over the goal line.  Despite the score, North Allegheny was able to limit Holtz, a Penn State recruit, to just 37 yards of total offense on the night.  The defensive front was particularly active, as Nate Nachazel, Patrick Kugler, Gonzales, and Lyon, bottled the running lanes and chased quarterback Ryan Mincher nearly every time he dropped back to pass.

With the score still 21-17 late in the third quarter, Leftwich ran for an apparent first down.  However, the play was negated by a holding penalty, forcing North Allegheny into a 3^rd and 15.  Upon taking the snap, Leftwich dropped back, gave the look of a quarterback draw, then set his feet and found tight end Kevin Edwards over the middle.  Edwards made a diving shoestring catch for 21 yards, swinging momentum back in North Allegheny’s favor as the chains were moved.  Another DiCiantis touchdown capped the drive, putting North Allegheny ahead 28-17.  Sensing the section title within reach, the Tigers stopped the Titans on fourth down when James Kleinhampl intercepted a Holtz pass off a fake punt.  The interception was Kleinhampl’s third of the season and extinguished any upset hopes for Shaler.

The victory clinches North Allegheny the conference title and ensures them of a home game in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.  Next week, the Tigers will conclude their regular season schedule against archrival North Hills.  The Indians are 4-4, having lost 21-14 to Seneca Valley on Friday.  Kickoff at Newman Stadium is scheduled for 7:30.

For an audio clip of Alex DiCiantis' fourth rushing TD, click here!

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 34   SHALER - 17

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

TEAM STATISTICS

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

NORTH ALLEGHENY

SHALER

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