Mt. Lebanon squashes Butler
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon’s Evan Jones fends off a tackle by Butler’s Colin Look during Friday night’s game.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Brian McFeeley was awarded a game ball from the football team during Mt. Lebanon’s 63-7 victory over Butler in September of 2019. Pictured with the former Mt. Lebanon principal, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that summer, were his wife, Keary, and son, Adam. Fans and band members sported green shirts with McFeeley strong on the front and “The Lebo Family does not fight alone” on the back. Shirts sold for $20 and were a fundraiser for pancreatic cancer research.
It was a beautiful night in the neighborhood as the Mt. Lebanon community and its football team rallied around high school principal Brian McFeeley and squashed Butler, 63-7.
Fans from each school joined the members of both bands in wearing green t-shirts Friday night in support of McFeeley, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
McFeeley, his wife, Mary, and son, Adam, attended the game and also sported the t-shirts emblazoned with the slogans “McFeeley Strong” on the front and either “The Lebo family does not fight alone” or “Together We Fight”on the back.
“When you do the things that he does, you respect people and you respect the kids like he does, it’s a reciprocated thing,” said Mt. Lebanon coach Bob Palko. “It’s not shocking that he is very well liked. My heart and our prayers go out to him and his family.”
Palko, who is in his first season as the Blue Devils coach after 24 years at West Allegheny, said it was a great night for the Lebo community.
“It’s neat to see how tight this community is, how close they are,” he said.
Palko’s team presented McFeeley with a game ball in between the first and second quarters of the romp.
“It’s just amazing,” Palko said. “It’s like a life lesson before us. How to handle yourself. How to handle your family. How to continue to fight and do the little things that are so necessary in life.”
On the field, Lebo did everything necessary to put Butler away easily, as the Blue Devils dominated from the start.
Two minutes into the game the rout was on, as Lebo’s Jack Sullivan intercepted a Butler pass before Mason Ventrone capitalized on the turnover with an 11-yard touchdown run.
Ventrone would add two more scores in the half that saw the Blue Devils roll to a 49-0 lead. Ventrone’s 7-yard touchdown rush capped a 4-play, 46-yard scoring drive with 6:11 left in the first quarter. His 53-yard touchdown run made it 35-0 with 10:54 to go in the half.
Drew Vaughn scored twice in the first half. His 2-yard score highlighted a 5-play, 53-yard scoring drive at the 3:53 mark in the first quarter. He added a short touchdown run with 6:56 left in the first half.
With 1:14 left in the first quarter, Sam Rolfsen got into the scoring act with a 4-yard touchdown.
Sam LaSota’s 64-yard touchdown reception concluded Lebo’s first-half scoring. The catch widened the Blue Devils’ lead to 49-0 with 1:46 left in the second quarter.
Lebo tacked on two more scores in the second half – a short touchdown run by Visawn Pennix two minutes into the third quarter and a 17-yard touchdown run on a 4th-and-17 play by Jack Smith with 8:04 to play.
For the game, Daniels completed four passes for 104 yards. Casey Sordsdal and Noah Bhuta accounted for the extra points.
Lebo improved to 2-0 in the conference and 2-1 overall. The Blue Devils, however, have some improving to do, said Palko, before they entertain Seneca Valley at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13.
“We can’t ever be pleased. We have so much work to do. We did some good things against Butler but we also have so many things to work on.”
CV blasts Armstrong
Chartiers Valley rolled to a 43-6 victory against Armstrong. The Colts will enjoy another week away from Allegheny Eight Conference competition when they host Norwin at 7 p.m. Sept. 13.
Griffin Beattie led the attack against Armstrong. He rushed for 191 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns of 20, 1 and 10 yards. He also tossed a 6-yard scoring strike to Sean Banas.
Antonio Zambrano added 120 yards rushing.
Socrates Boulas scored on a 10-yard run and Joe Heckroth recovered a fumble in the end zone for CV’s final score.
Jack Radzanowski kicked a 20-yard field goal for the Colts, who are 2-1 overall.
BP eases past West-A
After beating West Allegheny, 34-13, to improve to 2-0 in the Allegheny Eight Conference, Bethel Park takes a break from conference action when it visits Shaler for a 7 p.m. kickoff Sept. 13.
In the game against West-A, Anthony Chiccitt completed 11 of 15 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns of 52 and 14 yards to Jekvonn Lewis.
Troy Volpatti and Jack Evans rushed for 16- and 2-yard scores while William Patrizio returned an interception for a 55-yard touchdown.
USC upends BaldwinIn beating the Highlanders to even its Allegheny Eight Conference record at 1-1 and improve to 2-1 overall, the Panthers overcame a 21-14 halftime deficit thanks to Ethan Dahlem. The junior quarterback tossed an 87-yard scoring strike to David Pantelis then scooted 19 and 9 yards for two additional second-half touchdown runs.
In the first half, Jaden Keating rushed for a 6-yard score and Mateo Cepulio returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown.
Upper St. Clair next hosts Woodland Hills at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13.
PT improves to 3-0
Peters Township improved to 3-0 with a 26-0 shutout against Woodland Hills.
Logan Pfeuffer passed for 140 yards and all four scores. He tossed touchdown strikes to Corban Hondru, Josh Casilli and Lucus Culan.
Ryan Magiske rushed for 91 yards and Andrew Massucci converted all three of his extra-point attempts.
The Indians will entertain West Allegheny at 7 p.m. Sept. 13.
SF tops New Castle
The Lions 37-21 win against New Castle.
South Fayette’s Naman Alemada threw for five touchdowns passes, including a pair to Joe Audia, Ryan McGuire, Luke Pschirer and Nolan Lutz, as the Lions earned a 37-21 victory over New Castle. SF’s other points came off a safety.
South Fayette takes a break from conference competition when it visits Greensburg Salem Sept. 13.