Central Catholic Outlasts NA In Defensive Struggle, 14-7
by Drew Karpen
North Allegheny’s defense stood tall against defending Class 6A WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up Central Catholic, but the offense couldn’t find the equalizer in the waning minutes as the Tigers fell to the Vikings 14-7 Friday night at Newman Stadium.
With the score tied at 7-7, Central Catholic quarterback Troy Fisher leaped over his linemen from a yard out with 5:22 remaining in the game for the eventual game-winning score. The score was set up by a 34-yard catch-and-run from Fisher to Khalil Weathers to the 1-yard line. The Vikings also converted on a 3rd-and-15 to keep that drive alive. Fisher finished the night with 203 yards passing and 54 yards rushing.
The Tigers had two more shots to tie the game, but failed to get anything going, getting sacked twice on their final possession.
After a scoreless first quarter, Central Catholic got on the scoreboard first with a 72-yard touchdown pass from Fisher to Gavin Thomson.
North Allegheny seemed poised to tie the score right before halftime, but a Tigers fumble on the Central Catholic 10-yard line with 1:10 remaining in the half thwarted the drive. The turnover was one of three forced by the Vikings defense.
The Tigers received the kickoff to start the second half, and marched 76 yards down the field in nine plays capped off by a 16-yard touchdown run by senior Turner White. White was the top performer for the Tigers offense, rushing for 161 yards on 28 carries. For his efforts, White was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game.
Along with White, quarterback Luke Trueman rushed for 67 yards on 20 carries. Defensively, junior Dante Caputo led the stout Tigers’ defense with nine unassisted tackles, including two for loss.
After dropping its record to 1-2 and 0-1 in the Northern Seven Conference, North Allegheny will look to end its two-game slide on Friday, September 15 when they host Shaler at Newman Stadium.
Football Summary vs. Central Catholic, 9-8-17
| GAME SUMMARY | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Central Catholic | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| North Allegheny | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |