Stakes high in battle between Bethel Park and Peters Township
During his post-game address after a 28-7 victory against Baldwin, Jeff Metheny summed up what will be required of both Bethel Park and Peters Township when the two football teams collide in a critical Allegheny Eight Conference battle at 7 p.m. Oct. 19.
Both squads are 6-2 overall and tied for second place in the division with Upper St. Clair. Each is 4-1 in the league while West Allegheny sits atop the division with a 5-1 slate with two weeks to play in the regular season.
“We’ll need all hands on deck,” said the Hawks’ skipper.
“No question, these are tough weeks ahead,” he added as BP will close out the regular season hosting Upper St. Clair on Oct. 26 and Peters Township will entertain Baldwin.
T.J. Plack agreed with Metheny’s assessment
“This game will take a tremendous team effort to obtain a victory,” the Peters Township field general said. “This game is a must win for us, to achieve a short term goal of ours.”
PT took a step closer to capturing its first football conference championship in more than three decades when the Indians thumped Chartiers Valley, 41-24.
In the triumph, Logan Pfeuffer completed 13 of 20 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns. Corban Hondru, Josh Casilli, Aiden McCall and Jackson McCloskey caught the scoring strikes.
Ryan Magiske rushed for 133 yards and a 30-yard TD. Michael Peyton also racked up a running score.
“(CV) was a very good win,” Plack said. “Our kids were motivated. They played well and with enthusiasm and an edge.”
Plack, however, noted several mistakes, including a fumble that led to CV’s first score and an 8-0 deficit, as well as a blocked extra point.
“We cannot make critical mistakes on special teams or lose the turnover battle against Bethel Park. We need to limit our mistakes, win the turnover battle and stop the run.”
The ground game is BP’s bread and butter. While the Hawks have Jehvonn Lewis and Sean McGowan in their stable, they relied mainly upon Luke Surunis to beat Baldwin, 28-7, last week. Surunis rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
“We were not always perfect but we ran the ball a lot and that’s what we want to do,” Metheny said.
Lewis rushed for an 8-yard score. Brandon Cole recovered a fumble for a 54-yard touchdown. John Gummo kicked the extra points and Jared Yantak had an interception for the Hawks.
Though Mason Stahl threw for 238 yards and Jarron Kelly had nine receptions for 117 yards and the lone score, Metheny was pleased with his team’s effort, particularly on defense.
“The kids played real hard and the scheme those guys (assistant coaches) set up for that group was great. They held the run in check. We knew upfront we might have had a little edge. Their quarterback is so elusive but our kids did a good job in coverage and we made a lot of play back there that kept them in front of us.”
BP will employ the same strategy against the Indians as Pfeuffer ranks ahead of Stahl among the leaders in the WPIAL with 1,348 passing yards and 15 TDs. Plus Magiske is one of the top rushers in the conference.
“I think Baldwin prepared us for PT because they are also a good football team that is well-coached and we are going to see those kinds of kids this week,” Metheny said. “No question, it’s a tough match and it’s going to be a tough battle.”
Plack agreed and added his mutual respect for his opponent, which the Indians have played in the past when both competed at the 6-A level.
“It’s not the team as much as the program that concerns us,” he said. “They do a fantastic job with their player development, their players play with a sense of urgency, they are well coached, and find ways to win big games.
“We are definitely excited to compete this Friday night,” Plack continued. “Bethel Park is an tremendous opponent.”