Tigers win 3rd straight with 28-21 victory over Pine-Richland

Posted on: by Jonathan Spina

North Allegheny hosted Pine-Richland on Friday night at Newman Stadium. Even though it was a non-conference matchup with no playoff-seeding implications, it still had the big-game feel. With Homecoming and Hall of Fame Night part of the festivities, the Tigers used big plays in the second half to come away with a 28-21 win over the Rams.

Pine-Richland got off to a great start, receiving the opening kick and going 80 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead one minute into the game. The Tigers punted the ball back to the Rams. It looked like Pine-Richland was poised to take a two-possession lead with the ball on North Allegheny’s 13-yard line, but Lincoln Hoke forced a fumble that Mason Hartung recovered, and the Tigers’ deficit stayed at 7-0, where it would be after a quarter of play.

Both teams traded punts to start the second quarter before Brady Brinkley found James Donaldson for a 57-yard touchdown pass, and North Allegheny tied the game 7-7 with 8:32 left in the half.

Pine-Richland responded with a touchdown drive of their own, going 80 yards in seven plays once again. The Rams took the lead back 14-7. With 6:40 remaining in the half, the Tigers put together a 12-play drive that took 5:47 off the clock and ended with Brinkley finding Donaldson again, this time from 24 yards out and we were all square 14-14 going into halftime.

Pine-Richland started off the third quarter strong as they forced the Tigers into a three-and-out and got a 33-yard punt return to put themselves on NA’s 40-yard line. The Rams cashed in to take the lead back at 21-14. The teams traded punts for most of the third quarter before the Tigers drove 57 yards in eight plays but fumbled on the one-yard line.

North Allegheny’s defense did a great job getting the Tigers the ball back with no damage done. On the first offensive play of the fourth quarter for NA, Brinkley scrambled 78 yards to the house to once again tie the game 21-21.

On the ensuing kickoff, Carter Melzer knocked the ball loose, and Peter Notaro recovered it to put North Allegheny right back in scoring position again. The NA offense would take full advantage, and Brinkley found Dylan Langdon from five yards out, and the Tigers had their first lead of the night at 28-21 with 4:10 left in the game. NA’s defense would come up huge forcing a three-and-out, and the offense never gave the ball back putting the game away with a third down and six conversion by Luke Rohan to give North Allegheny the 28-21 victory.

Donaldson was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game, making six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Donaldson also made six tackles. Brinkley had 200 yards passing and three passing touchdowns to go along with 93 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown.

Conner Frank led the Tigers’ defense with seven tackles. Kyle Langdon made six tackles, while Luke Rohan had five. Hoke added two sacks.

North Allegheny improves to 8-1 overall. Pine-Richland falls to 7-1. The Tigers return to conference play next week when they host Seneca Valley in the season finale. This will be Senior Night and you can catch all the action on the North Allegheny Sports Network.

Football Summary vs. Pine-Richland, 10-19-24

GAME SUMMARY
SCORE BY QUARTERS1234FINAL
Pine-Richland777021
North Allegheny01401428