ADAMS TWP — Emotions sometimes find a way to get the best of teams on homecoming.

North Catholic found that out early Friday night as it overcame a 4-point halftime deficit to defeat East Allegheny, 31-14, at the Mars Athletic Complex in WPIAL Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference action.

“Sometimes as a head coach you can tell when the emotional part isn't there,” North Catholic coach Patrick O'Shea said. “We came out and made some mistakes. Give East Allegheny credit. They played a great first half, but we just needed to settle down.”

Trojan quarterback Joey Prentice returned to action Friday night after missing some time with an ankle injury.

The senior proved his ankle was more than back to normal as he rushed for 87 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns.

“Joey probably could've played last week,” O'Shea said. “It was good to see his ankle hold up. When you miss a week at this level of football, it might take a week to get back at it full speed.”

East Allegheny kicked off the scoring by blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown to take the early lead.

The Trojans responded with a safety on defense, and followed with a Prentice 1-yard score and a Prentice 2-point conversion run.

In the second quarter, the Wildcat offense scored its only touchdown of the game off a 45-yard touchdown pass from Mike Smith to Mekhi Manor.

“Our offense killed us,” East Allegheny coach Dom Pecora said. “We struggled up front and the snaps over our quarterback's head can't happen.”

The Wildcats' defense was able to keep North Catholic at bay for most of the first half, with a strong pass rush lead by Kamron Marshall.

“I honestly think he's going to be one of the best players I've coached,” Pecora said of Marshall, a freshman. “He works hard in the weight room. He's stepped up after some of our defensive linemen went down and he's already made a name for himself.”

In the third quarter, the Trojans again capitalized on more Wildcat mistakes, scoring two touchdowns 15 seconds apart off back-to-back turnovers deep in East Allegheny territory.

North Catholic's running game was able to get back to its explosive self late in the game behind Prentice, who didn't attempt a single pass in the second half.

“When we went in at halftime, we told the kids we just got to get 3.4 yards at a time now,” O'Shea said. “Just get back to some blue-collar football and in the end it worked out.”

The Trojans would add one more touchdown in the fourth to secure the 17-point conference victory.

North Catholic, 5-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play, will face a winless Burrell team next week on the road.

“In the past they've been a more pass-based team,” O'Shea said of Burrell. “But this year they seem to be a bit more balanced. It's going to be another tough week.”

Burrell fell to Apollo-Ridge, 35-17, Friday night.

East Allegheny 7 7 0 0 — 14

North Catholic 10 0 14 7 — 31

First Quarter

EA — Nate Waleko recovered fumbled punt in end zone (Matt Armenio kick), 9:38

NC — Mike Smith backward pass in end zone for safety, 6:28

NC — Joey Prentice 1 run (Joey Prentice run), 2:41

Second Quarter

EA — Mekhi Manor 45 pass from Smith (Armenio kick), :46

Third Quarter

NC — Kyle Tipinski 5 run (Ethan Marsico kick), 5:37

NC — Prentice 1 run (Marsico kick), 5:22

Fourth Quarter

NC — Kyle Tipinski 3 run (Marsico kick), 3:01

Individual Statistics

Rushing: East Allegheny, Prashaun Gainer 2-(-3), Mike Smith 6-13, Kamron Marshall 4-11. North Catholic, Joey Prentice 13-87, Chase Arrington 5-1, Kyle Tipinski 5-16, Jack Fennell 9-39, Shamus Straub 1-7.

Passing: East Allegheny, Mike Smith 5-14-101-1, Michael Cahill 1-4-13-0. North Catholic, Joey Prentice 3-7-45-1.

Receiving: East Allegheny, Prashaun Gainer 2-49, Mekhi Manor 2-50, Nate Waleko 1-2, Rakquan Fulmore 1-13. North Catholic, Shamus Straub 2-40, Kyle Tipinski 1-5.