Girls' Flag Football Game Summaries

by: Girls Flag Football Contributor

North Allegheny traveled to Moon High School to take part in the first round and quarterfinal of the Girls Flag Football Playoffs. The Tigers were the No. 7 seed and drew a first round matchup with No. 10 Thomas Jefferson, which they won 36-0. In the quarterfinals, NA took on Moon and fell in a defensive struggle by a score of 6-0.

In the first round, the Tigers took it to the Jaguars with an impressive game on both sides of the ball. Leading the defense in tackles was junior Alyssa Coy with a season-high eight. Senior Macey Casten had two pick sixes, one in each half, to give North Allegheny the advantage. Casten also competed 12 passes on the offensive side of the ball. Several players had touchdowns and extra point conversions: Casten had two defensive touchdowns, senior Leah Skweres, sophomore Sloane Baker and freshman Brynn Hughey scored touchdowns while juniors Luci Zagacki and Vange Balouris had two conversions each. Juniors Mia Bosley and Maddie Williams led the team in carries with six a piece.

In the quarterfinal matchup with Moon, the entire game was a defensive struggle until Moon lobbed a pass in the corner of the end zone with 30 seconds left to get the only points of the game. Junior Danika Hogan single-handily slowed down Moon’s offense with her terrifying rush and ability to stop them from advancing the ball. Hogan had a season-high nine tackles, six of them for loss. “Danika has amazing defensive discipline, she is lightning fast and closes quickly on her opponents and rarely misses a flag in the backfield” said Coach Ruiz. Zagacki pulled down two interceptions in crucial moments of the game. “Luci has amazing hands and field vision for a first year player, teams are going to fear her again next year.” Williams carried the ball seven times and caught five passes. “Maddie is a heady, talented player who is gritty and is always where she needs to be, she is the reason our defense and offense is successful against teams like Moon. With Maddie’s dynamic play we can do much more as a team.”

North Allegheny finishes the season with a 12-2 record. Although the Tigers season has come to an end, we would like to thank our seniors Casten and Skweres for their leadership and commitment to the North Allegheny flag football team. Congrats to head coach Michelle Ruiz and all staff and players on another successful season!

North Allegheny traveled to Seneca Valley on Sunday afternoon to cap off their regular season against North Hills and the Raiders. The Tigers made quick work of North Hills, defeating them 35-0 while they had a very competitive season finale with Seneca Valley, but ultimately came away with a 12-6 win.

Against North Hills, junior Mia Bosley ran all over the Indians, finding the end zone twice. Senior Leah Skweres scored two touchdowns off incredible passes from senior quarterback Macey Casten. Casten also had a pick-six on defense. Junior Luci Zagacki also had a receiving touchdown. Junior Maddie Williams and Danika Hogan each had five tackles to lead North Allegheny defensively.

In the Seneca Valley game, the defenses came to play. Junior Alyssa Coy did a phenomenal job at defensive back, holding Seneca Valley’s number one receiver to two catches and no touchdowns. Casten had two more passing touchdowns to Williams and Skweres to build the Tigers lead. She also had five tackles and two interceptions defensively.

North Allegheny finishes the regular season with an 11-1 record. The Girls Flag Football brackets will be released on Thursday which is when the Tigers will learn their playoff fate. The playoffs will begin on Saturday at a site and time to be determined. The semifinals and championship will be on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.

by: Girls Flag Football Contributor

North Allegheny took the short trip to Martoerelli Stadium at North Hills High School on Sunday afternoon to battle Mars and North Catholic. The Tigers took care of business dominating Mars 44-0, and defeating North Catholic, 18-6.

In game one against Mars, juniors Maddie Williams and Vange Balouris had two touchdowns and added extra point conversions to lead the Lady Tigers. Senior Leah Skweres scored a touchdown and had four extra point conversions while freshman Lily Broms scored a touchdown to seal the deal. Senior Macey Casten completed 19 passes and Mia Bosley carried the ball five times to get the Tigers in scoring position. Williams, Balouris, Sophia Fleming, Ella Knoch and Brynn Hughey all had interceptions. Danika Hogan led the team with five tackles.

In the second game against North Catholic, Skweres and Balouris combined for a touchdown each while Williams had a safety just before the half. Bosley and Taryn DeWitt each completed a two-point conversion to keep the Tigers on top. Casten completed 20 passes to five different receivers while Hogan led NA with three sacks. Balouris had five tackles.

North Allegheny improves to 9-1 overall. The Tigers return to action on Sunday when they travel to Seneca Valley to take on North Hills at noon and the Raiders at 1 p.m.

by: Girls Flag Football Contributor

North Allegheny traveled to Cupples Stadium on the south side of Pittsburgh for a some non-section action on Sunday afternoon against Carrick and Brashear. The Tigers swept the day defeating Carrick, 20-2, and beating Brashear, 29-6.

In game one against Carrick, senior Macey Casten completed eight passes while junior Maddie Williams carried the ball seven times to get NA into scoring position. Junior Danika Hogan had six tackles, three of them for loss. Junior Vange Balouris collected two pick-sixes to put North Allegheny on the board in the first half while Leah Skweres added another touchdown off a sneak play and converted a two-point conversion.

In the second half of the doubleheader against Brashear, the Bulls jumped out to an early lead with a rushing touchdown. The Tigers stayed locked in and cracked the code of the Brashear defense, scoring 29 points with four players scoring. Balouris caught four passes with two of them going for touchdowns. She also had a two-point conversion and another pick-six, her third of the day, to put the nail in the coffin on Brashear. Freshman Brynn Hughey and Williams each had rushing touchdowns while junior Sofia Fleming had five carries and scored an extra point.

North Allegheny improves their record to 7-1 overall. The Tigers return to action next Sunday when they travel to North Hills High School and Martorelli Stadium. NA will face off with Mars at 3:30 p.m. and North Catholic at 4:30 p.m.

The North Allegheny defense continued to roll as the Tigers posted their fourth and fifth shutouts of the season defeating Deer Lakes, 19-0 and blanking Nazareth Prep, 35-0 on Wednesday night.

Wednesday was the Pittsburgh Steelers Highlight Games of the Week at Newman Stadium.  Steely McBeam and Pittsburgh Steelers’ tight end Pat Frierermuth attended the games along with the Pittsburgh Steelers Social Media Team.  It was also Senior Salute Night for our two seniors Macey Casten and Leah Skweres who were honored before the first game on the field with their parents.