His words rung as powerful as the punch Liberty delivered the Black Hawks, a 28-21 overtime loss after 15 consecutive victories, one conference championship and the one and only district title in school history.

"They made one more play than you did," Metheny started, alluding to the interception Anthony Gonzalez made on a pass, from Erik Olson intended for Brian Vukela into the end zone, that ended the PIAA Quad-A title tilt at Hersheypark Stadium.

Metheny instructed his charges to not let that diminish the season the Black Hawks had.

"You have made your teammates, your school and your community proud," Metheny continued.

In fact, Metheny told the media after his post-game conference with his players, the Black Hawks have one like Vukela already.

"Corey Spegal," he said of the 6-1, 205-pound junior. "He plays like him now."

If Bethel Park is to replicate its 2008 success in the future, the Black Hawks will need to rely on the players that grace this year's roster, 18 of whom are seniors, including Marsh, Schademan, Olson, Vomer and Vukela.

While some will remember Olson as the quarterback who tossed that interception, Metheny, as well as the Bethel Park faithful, will long remember him for his 25-5 varsity record over three seasons. Recalled will be his eight of 14 completions for 114 yards in the championship game, not to mention his 109 passes for 1,928 yards and 21 scoring strikes this season.

"Erik was 17 for 27 last year," Metheny said.

"If we threw the ball 30 times a game this season, then he would have some of best stats in the states. He plays on a running team. He had the opportunity to play with one of the best receivers in the state.

Of the pick, Metheny added, "(Erik) did not make that play but he's made a ton. If you give me a quarterback for the next three years that is going to be 25-5, I'll take him every time."

The Hawks will take Marsh in the backfield; Vomer at fullback and linebacker and Schademan just about anywhere on the field except the sidelines.

While Marsh rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Liberty to race his season totals to 1,508 and 20 scores, he also gathered in 2 passes for 26 yards, raising his numbers to 27 receptions for 475 yards and two more TDs on the year.

Schademan, who returned punts and kick-offs and ranked second on the team in interceptions, pulled in four passes for 76 yards. His numbers for the season were 55 catches for 1,181 yards. He totaled 16 touchdowns.

Vomer scored the game's first touchdown. He anchored the defense at linebacker.

But the Black Hawks were more than just those statistics makers. They were linemen like Adam Lazenga, Adam Hokaj, Corey Spegal, Mitch Hakeem, Andrew Pierson to name a few as well as linebackers such as Jared Pratt, Jim Karam and Keith Doyle not to mention defensive backs like Matthew Bliss and Andrew Fossick.

Other seniors such as Shane Gilchrist, Nick Gobbie, Bryce Bielich, Ryan Boyle, Alex Sabol, Anthony Rusch, Colin Jones and Patrick Lydon, who only a week earlier kicked the game-winning field goal in a thrilling, triple-overtime win over Wilson in the state semifinal.

Lydon, who finished with 58 extra points, including the three against Liberty, kicked seven field goals. Of course, he would have loved to have gotten number eight but his 34-yard attempt on a fourth-and-two missed giving BP a 24-21 advantage with under 10 minutes to play in regulation.

"No," said Metheny emphatically when asked about his decision to kick the field goal rather than go for the first down.

"We kick it there, we go up three and they have to go the length of the field," he explained, "and our defense has been the strength of our team all year. He's made kicks like that all year. He's been really good. He's the reason why we won last week. I won't second guess there."

One thing Metheny never second guessed was the passion his players had for the game of football.

Every single one of the Black Hawks--from the juniors: Anthony Frangione, Alex Baroffio, Abraham Burger, Luke Colacito, Philip Vargo, Luke Olson, Derek Plopi, Tyler Burns, Joshua Hanna, Kevin DeBold, Joshua Lapaglia, Drew Volbers, Anthony Herko, Matthew Mace, Creighton Hottel, Kevin Gribowicz, Michael Telek, Brennan Walsh, Zach Murray, Matthew Davin and Taylor Hayes through the sophomores: Joseph Falcone, Dominic Barbano, Christopher Rizzo, Santo Scarillo, Chad Higgins, Bre Ford, Lewis Dibble, Shane Jordan, Nick Kwiatkoski, Michael Fossick, Brendan Sestokas, Shakiel Carter, Matthew Spicuzze, Emanuel Surunis, Jim Yetiskul, Mark Fortunato, Hunter Schaff, Ben Zoeckler, Mack Cox, Joseph Brucker, Michael Melodini, Vincent Speicuzza, Jared Carothers, Max Bair, Grant Brown and Ryan Sherry not to mention freshman Anthony Cinello--possessed critical characteristics imperative for success.

"They have something deep inside," Metheny said of his men. "They've got a big heart, those kids. They're smart. They're really competitive. They have great character and the most important thing was they played for the guy beside them all year. They have a great team attitude.

"When you play that hard and you play for the guy beside you, you are going to win a lot of games. That's what we need to do. We don't have a lot of guys who are going on to Penn State, West Virginia or Pitt. We gotta play with guys who really like high school football.

"But," Metheny added, "I know that because of their great heart, character, pride and perseverance they are going to have more success down the road."

Back in August, however, when the players broke camp, they dreamed of success but never did they fathom the length of their triumphs.

The Black Hawks weathered a tough exhibition slate, They opened with victories over Kiski, 47-20, Penn Hills, 20-13, North Hills, 27-26, and Woodland Hills, 31-14.

After dispatching league foes such as Baldwin, 42-8, Canon-McMillan, 28-10, Mt. Lebanon, 41-7, Peters Township, 39-6, and Upper St. Clair, 10-6, to claim the Great Southern Conference, the Black Hawks breezed through the WPIAL playoffs, beating Hempfield, 42-20, North Allegheny, 42-21, and McKeesport, 20-13, before knocking off Gateway, 10-6, in the district finals. BP beat State College, 17-14, and Wilson, 38-35, to reach the state championship game against Liberty, which also finished 15-1 overall.

"We wanted to win a conference championship and go further than we've ever had in the playoffs, the second round," said Metheny of BP's simple aspirations.

"So we had a pretty good year. A magical year. The outcome wasn't what we wanted tonight, but our coaches and our players they've done everything we could ask and beyond.

With grace, Metheny and his Black Hawks admitted defeat.

"Give Liberty credit," Metheny said. "They did a great job. We just needed to tackle better and hold up the point of attack.

"That's a good football team. They are well-coached. You can tell that from them being here so much," he added of the Hurricanes, who lost to McKeesport and Upper St. Clair in the state finals in 2005 and 2006.

"We are well-coached too. I have some great coaches," Metheny added about his staff, which includes Rick Pavlisko, Brian DeLallo, Adam Triscila, Brian Scott, Mike Milliken, Erik Franklin, Jim Engott and Pete Shaw.

"I'm real proud to say that I coach at Bethel Park and that I coached these kids this year."