"Your next game," he began, "is a championship game. You're going to have to play four quarters and maybe then some."

Metheny then turned and chatted to reporters. "It's going to be a great game," he said.

In the Great Southern Conference, not to mention the South Hills, Canon-McMillan's visit to Bethel Park for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on Friday, Oct. 17 promises to be the best game of the season.

That BP eased into its showdown rather than escape with a triumph like CM did against Mt. Lebanon, 35-28, does not concern Metheny.

"Not with our schedule," he said citing clashes with Penn Hills, North Hills and Woodlands Hills. "We've had a lot of tough times.

"(Against Peters Township), we did what we had to do. It really was a good game for us (heading into this week's game against Canon-Mac."

In besting the Indians, BP dominated every aspect of the game. The Black Hawks blocked and tackled well. They ran well. They passed well.

Behind the offensive line play of Andrew Pierson, Adam Lazenga, Ahmad Hakeem, Corey Spegal and Anthony Herko as well as tight ends Brian Vukela and Keith Doyle, not to mention Brennan Walsh, the Black Hawks rolled up the yardage. Five different players recorded touchdowns.

Of the offensive line Metheny said, "they did play well. They did a nice job. They've gotten better. Our coaches have done a good job. We're so proud of those guys."

Lyle Marsh and Bre Ford were the big ground gainers against PT, but Rock Vomer and Derek Plopi had their share of carries. Marsh, who led with 114 yards against PT, and Ford are BP's top rushers while the Erik Olson-to-John Schademan is a formidable passing combination.

For example, after an exchange of possessions to start the contest, Olson hooked up with Schademan for a 67-yard TD strike with 6:34 left in the first frame.

BP embarked on a 5-play, 78-yard drive keyed by a reception by Vukela and a 39-yard scamper into the end zone by Ford with 1:49 remaining in the first quarter.

Marsh and Ford rushed BP into the red zone where the Hawks tacked on a 33-yard field goal by Patrick Lydon with 4:49 left in the second stanza.

A minute later Jared Pratt stole the pigskin from the PT ball carrier and rambled 27 yards into the end zone with 2:20 remaining before the half.

Bruce Bielich blocked a punt 16 seconds later. Ford recovered, Marsh then carried the ball one yard into the end zone.

With 2.8 remaining before intermission, BP made it 32-0 on a 25-yard field goal by Lydon.

Continuing to use the new wrinkle added to its offense in a 10-6 win over Upper St. Clair, BP rushed into the end zone for their final score--a 1-yard plunge by Vomer with 8:07 left in the third quarter. On several plays in the drive, Marsh took the snap and ran for big yardage. Once he handed off to Plopi.

Of the offensive scheme Metheny said, "it gives us a different look. It's something to practice against. There's a lot of players with speed on the field there. Marsh, Plopi, Schademan and all those guys," he continued. "Everybody is running that stuff and it's not too easy to defend."

While the BP defense is playing well, having allowed just 92 points this season, it draws the challenge of stopping the Big Macs this week. CM has scored 171 points.

Against Lebo alone the Big Macs' potent offense rolled up 24 first downs and 392 yards of total offense.

Michael Hull spearheads Canon-McMillan. The 6-1, 215-pound junior rolled up 114 yards on 23 carries against the Blue Devils to raise his season totals to 717 yards on 131 attempts. He scored twice on 3- and 31-yard runs.

"Michael Hull is a great player," said Metheny. "They've got a lot of guys around Michael Hull though. Good football players, too. We've got to beat Canon-Mac, not Michael Hull. We just can't focus on him."

BP will devote its attention to Steve Roach as well as running back Chad Hagan among others. Hagan rushed for two, fourth-quarter scores of 2 and 6 yards against Lebo.

"They've got a quarterback that can run and they have two other backs that are very good," said Metheny of Roach and Hagan.

Metheny is also wary of Brad Strimel and Jon Pozonsky, who scored on a 26-yard run against Lebo. Both are strong fullbacks not to mention tough linebackers alongside Hull. The Big Macs also boast a strong crop of linemen.

"They've got a lot of good football players and a lot of weapons, We have some weapons too. I think you saw that (against PT). We're excited about what's going on. We need to make sure that we continue to do the things that have made us a good football team."