Tigers Open Playoffs At Home Tonight Against Norwin
The fourth-seeded North Allegheny Tigers (8-1) open the 2015 WPIAL playoffs at home tonight with matchup against the 13th-seeded Norwin Knights (5-4). The Tigers earned a co-share of the Northern Eight Conference title this season and enter the playoffs riding a seven-game winning streak. The Norwin Knights were the fourth-place finishers out of the Foothills Conference and dropped back-to-back games against McKeesport and Penn-Trafford to end the regular season.
Norwin is led by head coach Dave Brozeski who is in his second year as head coach after spending 17 years as an assistant with the Knights. Prior to taking over as head coach, the Knights had missed the playoffs three consecutive seasons and posted a record of 4-23 in that span. Under Brozeski’s tutelage, the program has turned around as the Knights are in the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
The starting quarterback for the Knights is senior Nick Amendola who has passed for 967 yards and eight touchdowns, while rushing for 659 yards and 12 touchdowns. Amendola is a physical player who is also an All-Foothills Conference linebacker on defense. Running back Peyton Deri is another talented skill player for Norwin who has rushed for 803 yards and five scores. The passing game boasts the speed of junior receiver Anthony DelleFemine who has hauled in 23 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns. With plenty of talent at key offensive positions, the Knights also have a formidable offensive line that will be the biggest the Tigers have faced in recent weeks. Norwin averages 28 points per game.
A problem for Norwin is a leaky defense that has allowed 28 points per game. Facing a North Allegheny offense that scores 37 points per game, the Knights could find themselves playing catchup much of the night. With considerable size on the Norwin offensive line, the line of scrimmage will be key to tonight’s playoff opener. If the North Allegheny front of can handle the Knights linemen, the black and gold could be on their way toward the next round of the postseason.
Kickoff for tonight’s WPIAL first round contest is set for 7:30 pm at Newman Stadium. The pregame show will hit the air at 7:05 pm and will feature pregame interviews with Norwin head coach Dave Brozeski and North Allegheny head coach Art Walker. Randy Gore and Rick Meister will have the call. To listen to tonight’s broadcast, click here.