Defense, Special Teams dominate as Tigers take down Knights

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By Jonathan Spina

Defense and special teams were the recipe for success as North Allegheny used a 28-0 run in the second quarter to defeat Norwin, 56-14,on the road to improve to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in Class 6A. 

The Tigers offense came out strong scoring two minutes into the game on a Gunnar Fisher 6-yard run. Isaac West tacked on the extra point and North Allegheny led 7-0. After each team went 3-and-out it was Norwin’s offense that got on the board with a 3-yard run by Gianni Rizzo. The extra point was missed and North Allegheny held a 7-6 lead after a quarter of play. 

The second quarter was all North Allegheny. After the offense sputtered the first couple drives the defense forced a punt and it was Dante Caputo who was able to block the punt and set up the Tigers offense 1st and goal at the 1-yard line. The next play it was Fisher once again with the 1-yard plunge to make the score 14-6. The North Allegheny defense then got a 3-and-out and a muffed snap set up the Tigers once again on the doorstep of the end zone. Ben Maenza then got in on the action with a 21-yard touchdown run making it 21-6. The defense again forced another turnover when Amosis Porter recovered a fumble and for the third straight possession North Allegheny’s offense started in the red zone. The next play, junior  quarterback Ben Petschke hooked up with senior Joey Porter Jr. for a 20-yard touchdown and the route was on as the lead swelled to 28-6. Luke Colella added a 22-yard touchdown run to give  the Tigers a 35-6 lead at the half.  

Norwin came out strong to start the second half scoring 30 seconds in but that would be the last time they reached the end zone in this game. Maenza scored again on a 1-yard run, Justin Kerber scored on a 38-yard run and Percise Colon finished the scoring with a 65-yard touchdown run. Drew Jefferies put through the last extra point and North Allegheny finished the game with an impressive 56-14 win. 

Fisher was the Wright Automotive Player of the Game with 12 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns, he was also 1 for 2 through the air  for 10 yards. Colon had three carries for 81 yards and a touchdown while Maenza had nine carries for 73 yards and two touchdown. Josh Dozier led all defenders with 4.5 tackles, Caputo had four tackles, three for loss, a sack and a blocked punt. 

North Allegheny will be back at home next week to take on Central Catholic (2-0, 1-0). Kickoff is slated for 7:30 pm and as always you can find it on the North Allegheny Sports Network and the Trib Live High School Sports Network. 

Football Summary vs. Norwin, 8-31-18

GAME SUMMARY
SCORE BY QUARTERS1234FINAL
North Allegheny72871456
Norwin608014