Raiders routed
WEXFORD — North Allegheny football coach Art Walker Jr. asked for a big play on special teams Friday night.
Jeremy Gonzales then went out and delivered it.
With North Allegheny and Seneca Valley deadlocked at 3-3 in the second quarter, the Tigers' defensive lineman blocked Ryan Conn's punt deep in SV's end of the field. Teammate Kevin Edwards scooped up the prize at the Raiders' 3-yard line and scored the game's first touchdown.
Seneca never was able to regain momentum, falling 45-3 at Newman Stadium.
The punt was forced by the Tigers after they held SV's offense to a three and out.
“We talked before the game about making a big play on special teams,” said Walker. “It hadn't happened for us yet this season. It was a big play and definitely swung things in our favor.”
SV coach Don Holl was less enthused with talking about the play.
“It was a complete blown blocking assignment,” he said. “We coach those guys and we didn't have them ready to do the job, so that's on us.”
Just as big as the special teams touchdown was how the Tigers followed it up.
Their defense forced another punt on SV's ensuing drive. The Tigers then marched 79 yards in 15 plays, capped when quarterback Mack Leftwich rolled right on a fourth-and-4 on SV's 7 and found wideout Gregg Garrity in the front-right corner of the end zone.
Jason Buchert's extra point gave the Tigers a 17-3 halftime lead.
“The difference between our program and their program is when something bad happens to NA, they find a way to respond,” said Holl. “When something bad happens to us, we don't respond.”
Elijah Zeise and Alex DeCiantis ended the competitive aspect of the game with touchdowns in the third quarter, on a 10-yard reception and a 7-yard run, respectively.
The most glaring stat produced by NA's defense was its ability to hold SV star halfback Forrest Barnes to a mere 15 yards from scrimmage.
“We had trouble blocking and couldn't get any momentum going,” Holl said. “People were talking about this being a shootout. It can't be a shootout if one team isn't shooting.
“We played hard, but we didn't play well.”
“Our kids on defense were confident,” said Walker. “That's what I'm most proud of. Keeping Seneca out of the end zone and holding them to three points.”
The Raiders held an early lead after they drove 60 yards on the game's first drive. Chad Izenas booted a 26-yard field with 7:25 left in the first quarter.
NA (3-0) responded with Buchert's 27-yard field goal later in the period,
SV's Jordan Brown ended the game with 97 passing yards and 79 rushing yards. Leftwich completed eight of 16 passes for 122 yards while DeCiantis rushed for 97 yards and scored twice.
SV (2-1, 2-1) will host Connellsville (1-2) next Friday.
