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TURNOVERS RENDER COMEBACK FOR NA, PANTHERS STUNNED, 28-21

Vinnie Congedo’s 3 yard touchdown scamper with 2:39 to go was the difference, as North Allegheny overcame a 14-0 halftime deficit, stunning Upper St. Clair, 28-21.  Congedo’s return was set up by a 70 yard kickoff return by Isaiah Faulk, moments after the Panthers had tied the game at 21-21.  After both teams steamrolled each of their first two opponents, Friday night’s titanic matchup was labeled as a must-see between the second and third ranked teams in WPIAL Quad-A.  Those present at Newman Stadium were treated to a roller coaster ride that featured seven turnovers, four touchdowns over the final 15 minutes, and numerous big plays on both sides of the ball.

The contest began with sloppy play by both teams.  A procedure penalty squashed any momentum on the Tigers’ first possession, forcing a punt.   After inducing a three and out by Upper St. Clair, North Allegheny was set up with excellent field position by way of an errant twelve yard punt that skipped out of bounds at the Panthers 33.  However, the Tigers were unable to convert the opportunity into points, losing a fumbled exchange from center on the second play of the drive. 

Near the end of the first quarter, the Panthers began marching downfield, moving the ball well on the ground.   Their physical 11-play, 56-yard drive was punctuated by a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Dakota Conwell, ending just as the second quarter began.  The remainder of the half saw play shifted back and forth, with both teams unable to sustain drives.  Seconds before halftime, USC was able to expand its lead on another Conwell touchdown run, this time from 1 yard out.  Conwell’s plunge was set up by a 42 yard completion to Mike Wilcox.  As the clock ticked down, Wilcox sped past the Tiger defense, hauling in a pass at the NA 1 yard line.  After a timeout, Conwell scored, and the Panthers expanded their lead to 14-0.

Needing a spark to begin the second half, the Tigers forced a fumble on the kickoff, recovering at the USC 15 yard line.  Four plays later, Alex DiCiantis crossed the goal line from a yard out.  Jason Buchert added the extra point, cutting the Panther lead in half, 14-7.  Now back in the game, the defense seized the opportunity and began evoking memories from previous units.  North Allegheny did a tremendous job of bottling up the running lanes and harassing Conwell on every pass attempt.  The pass rush was led by defensive linemen Nate Nachazel and Jared Lux, each with a pair of sacks to his credit.  Lux also lent great support in run defense, leading the team with ten tackles on the night.

North Allegheny again took advantage of good field position moments later when Anthony Peluso was able to jar the ball loose from Conwell.  Jeremy Gonzales recovered, and the Tigers set up from the Panther 36.  On the ensuing play, quarterback Mack Leftwich hooked up with James Kleinhampl on a 35 yard completion to the 1 yard line.  Leftwich ended the drive by calling his own number, sneaking into the end zone, and knotting the game at 14-14 as the fourth quarter drew near.

In the final quarter, NA captured the lead off yet another Panther fumble.  On a third and 1 near midfield, Nachazel popped the ball loose from bruising back Zach Deitrick.  Lux recovered the fumble, and the Tigers’ offense took over.  Leftwich immediately hit Kleinhampl over the middle for a first down to the USC 34.   Following a short gain, a procedure penalty forced North Allegheny into a 3^rd down and 10, forcing Leftwich to rekindle some magic from the previous week’s game at Butler.  After the pocket broke down, he dashed up the middle, sprinting into the secondary, all the way down to the USC 5.  The next play, Congedo bowled his way in to give North Allegheny their first lead of the game, 21-14. 

To Upper St. Clair’s credit, they were able to respond with a 9-play 67-yard drive.  Following a successful fourth down conversion, the Panthers were faced with a 3^rd and 7 from the NA 24.  Despite containing USC’s ground attack for much of the night, Conwell found running room and took off, scurrying into the end zone to retie the game at 21-21.

Faulk returned the subsequent kickoff to the USC 18, setting up Congedo’s game-winning touchdown.  The Panthers had time for one last possession, but Kleinhampl batted down a fourth down pass, clinching the game for North Allegheny.  For his efforts on both offense, finishing with 7 receptions totaling 80 yards, and defense, Kleinhampl earned Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors.

With the win, the Tigers improve their record to 3-0, scoring 130 in three games.  Next week, North Allegheny will be involved in their fourth straight matchup of undefeated teams, when Northern Seven opponent Eric McDowell visits Newman Stadium.  Game time with the Trojans is scheduled for next Friday at 7:00. 

To listen to an interview with head coach Art Walker, aired prior to Friday's game with Upper St. Clair, click here!

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 28   UPPER ST. CLAIR - 21

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

TEAM STATISTICS

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

UPPER ST. CLAIR

NORTH ALLEGHENY

Statistics Courtesy of Luke Mortimer, Chris Panos, and Dave Cracraft

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