BP battles Baldwin in other rivalry game
While Bethel Park looks to end a two-game skid, Baldwin will be battling for its playoff life when these two rivals meet at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Hawk Stadium.
After losing a key Southeastern Conference clash with Upper St. Clair, 28-13, the Hawks dropped a 39-3 decision to Seneca Valley last week. Their lone score came on a 29-yard field goal by Matthew Monte.
With the defeat, the Hawks slipped to 5-3 overall. With a 5-2 slate in the league, however, BP has already clinched a post-season berth. The Hawks sit in third place in the conference behind undefeated Upper St. Clair and Woodland Hills (6-2, 6-1).
Meanwhile, Baldwin is coming off a decisive win against Canon-McMillan, 49-7. The victory placed the Highlanders in a tie for fifth place in the conference with Peters Township. Both own 3-4 league records and 4-4 overall marks.
T.J. Holl’s success in the air against BP is a confidence builder for Baldwin. Holl shredded BP’s defense for 301 yards, completing 18 of 24 passes for two scores, 13 yards to Brett Smithco and 75 yards to Eric Mrkonja, who finished with four grabs for 104 yards. Tucker Van Dyke 99-yard interception before the end of the first half broke BP’s back.
Injuries also plagued the Hawks. Many starters, including Dan Emma, Zac Enick and Dan Christenson, paced the sidelines in street clothes. Additionally, Kevin Boyle injured his shoulder in the loss.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders boast one of the top signal callers in the WPIAL as well as the leading receiver in the district. Doug Altavilla has completed 105 of 203 passes for 1,403 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Luke Smorey had TD receptions of 7, 60, 69 yards from Altavilla against the Big Macs. Smorey also returned an interception 90 yards for another score. He has 47 receptions for 945 yards this season.
The Hawks also must be aware of Nick Barca. He also scored twice for Baldwin against CM. He ran for a 3-yard score and recovered a fumble in the end zone.
Both teams are coming off big losses, Canon-McMillan to Baldwin, 49-7, and Peters Township to Woodland Hills, 42-9.
In the loss to the Highlanders, Jules Gdovic rushed for the lone CM score on a 4-yard run. He rushed for 104 yards. The defeat ended any playoff hopes for the Big Macs, who slipped to 1-6 in the Southwestern Conference.
Though PT took a 3-0 lead against the Wolverines on Sean Harrison’s 21-yard field goal and Cody Sheetz added a 39-yard TD run, the Indians trailed, 28-9, by halftime.
PT is 4-4 overall and 3-4 in the conference. A win over the Big Macs would wrap up a playoff berth for the Indians.
After beating Mohawk, 28-14, Seton-La Salle returns to Century Conference action when the Rebels visit South Park for an Oct. 25 fray beginning at 7:30 p.m.
In the win over Mohawk, SLS signal caller Tyler Perone was 16 of 29 for 175 yards. He tossed an 18-yard scoring strike to DaQuay Broadwater and a 1-yard TD aerial to Dom DelGreco. DelGreco kicked two extra points while Rick Mellick caught a 2-point conversion pass from Perone.
Broadwater rushed for scores of 20 and 23 yards for the Rebels, who improved to 6-2 overall. Despite their loss to South Fayette, the Eagles are 5-3 overall and playoff bound as are the Rebels.
After dropping a 41-40 decision to McGuffey, Keystone Oaks looks to improve upon its 1-7 overall record and 1-6 mark in the Century Conference when it hosts winless Burgettstown at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Dormont Stadium.
In the loss to the Highlanders, Kobe Phillippi completed 16 of 21 passes for 196 yards, three touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions. He tossed scoring strikes to Braydon Griffiths (14 yards), Chris Connolly (5 yards) and Johnny Beveridge (12 yards).
Beveridge rushed for two TDs and gave KO a slim lead, 40-35, with 3:22 to play, but Pat Frey’s 6-yard TD iced the victory for the visiting Highlanders.
In addition to a 4-yard TD run by Beveridge, Jimmy Canello also rushed that distance into the end zone for the Golden Eagles.
South Fayette looks to close out the regular season as undefeated Century Conference champions for the second straight year when the Lions visit Glassport Stadium to take on South Allegheny at 7 p.m. Oct. 25.
The Lions improved to 8-0 when they blanked South Park, 48-0.
Brett Brumbaugh connected on 16 of 21 aerials for 270 yards and two scoring strikes to Grant Fetchet (28 yards) and Justin Watson (62 yards). Conner Beck hauled in eight receptions for 107 yards.
Fetchet also rushed for touchdowns of 17 and 1 yards. J.J. Walker, Hunter Hayes and Mike Speca also ran for scores of 2, 29 and 46 yards respectively.
Brian Coyne kicked the five extra points. Dan Trimbur had the other PAT.
Chartiers Valley closes out Parkway Conference play on the road at rival West Allegheny. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Oct. 25.
The Colts are 1-7 overall and 1-6 in the division after dropping a 35-20 decision to Blackhawk last week.
In the loss, Josh Lapiana was 16 of 26 for 203 yards passing. His top target was Dom Castello. The senior grabbed seven passes for 134 yards and an 11-yard TD.
CV trailed 21-0 before answering with scores by Castello and Andreo Coury. But the Cougars responded with two, third-quarter scores to put the game away. Coury and Mike Roper rushed for touchdowns of 3 and 1 yards for CV’s other scores.
Although Spencer Terlig scored on a 1-yard run to give Chartiers-Houston an early, slim, 7-0 lead, Monessen roared back and scored a 38-7 victory last week. Mike Cushma accounted for the extra point for the Buccaneers.
CH visits Fort Cherry at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Black Hills Conference finale. The Bucs head into the clash with a 6-3 overall record and 5-3 slate in the league. The Rangers are 7-1.
The Crusaders close out the 2013 campaign at home against Serra. Kick-off is at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at Dormont Stadium. Canevin slipped to 1-7 overall when it dropped a 42-6 decision to Brentwood last Saturday.