Dominant Second Half leads to 42-7 win over Gateway

Posted on: by Jonathan Spina

North Allegheny and Gateway played a tight first half and the Tigers led 19-7 at halftime. After a 45-minute lightning delay, the second half began and the Tigers dominated. NA used a 23-0 second half to run away from the Gators with a 42-7 win on Friday night at Newman Stadium.

After neither team scored on their first possession, North Allegheny’s defense held firm, getting a fourth-down stop in their own red zone. The NA offense capitalized by going 83 yards in seven plays, culminating the drive on a Jackson Failla 14-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Langdon for a 7-0 lead. On the next play from scrimmage, the Gateway center snapped the ball over quarterback Dino Koutsakis’ head and through the back of the end zone, giving the Tigers a 9-0 lead.

The Tigers forced the Gators to punt to start the second quarter, setting up the NA offense for another lengthy scoring drive. NA went 65 yards on eight plays, finishing with a Brady Brinkley 3-yard touchdown run, and the Tigers led 16-0. Gateway responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive and cut the NA lead to 16-7 on a 31-yard touchdown pass by Koutsakis to Dyson Harper.

With 3:38 remaining in the half, North Allegheny strung together a couple of first downs, but the drive stalled on the 34-yard line. Fortunately for the Tigers, Alabama commit Peter Notaro made a 51-yard field goal to extend the lead to 19-7. The kick bested Notaro’s career-long of 47, set last season.

After a couple of punts, Gateway looked to put some points on the board before the half, but a Koutsakis pass was tipped by a hustling Jack Yatchenko and intercepted on a leaping grab by Kyle Langdon. The interception by Langdon ended any Gateway hopes of closing the gap before halftime.

Just as the teams went to the locker room, a 45-minute lightning delay halted the action. Following the delay, North Allegheny got the ball to start the second half, driving 60 yards before Notaro put another field goal on the board, this time from 22 yards out and the score was 22-7, Tigers. Gateway had trouble with another snap, as this one was low and stayed in the end zone. Mason Hartung won the foot race and pounced on the football in the end zone for a defensive touchdown, giving the Tigers a 28-7 lead. With time ticking down in the quarter, North Allegheny was forced to punt. The punt was muffed and recovered by Korry Pitts and the Tigers were in the red zone again.

The drive ended with a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Failla and the rout was on as the Tigers led 35-7. Gateway fumbled on the ensuing drive, this time recovered by Bradyn McConneha and NA struck one more time for good measure with Dylan Brokos scoring a rushing touchdown from six yards out. Dylan Eichleberger booted through the extra point and North Allegheny led 42-7.

Brinkley led the Tigers in rushing with seven carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. Failla was 5 for 13 for 96 yards and a touchdown through the air. James Donaldson had three catches for 75 yards.

Kyle Langdon led the Tigers with eight tackles, one for a loss and an interception. Lincoln Hoke finished the night with seven tackles, one of them coming in the backfield. With seven tackles and constant pressure all night, Hoke was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game.

North Allegheny improves to 2-0 overall, while Gateway falls to 0-2. The Tigers head on the road next week, taking on Penn Hills at Yuhas McGinley Stadium at 7:00 p.m. This game will be broadcast live on the North Allegheny Sports Network.

Football Summary vs. Gateway, 8-30-24

GAME SUMMARY
SCORE BY QUARTERS1234FINAL
Gateway07007
North Allegheny91091442