Bethel Park hosts South Fayette
An 0-3 start hasn’t curtailed the Bethel Park football team’s optimism as it prepares to host South Fayette at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 for an Allegheny Six Conference game.
“Our kids have done a great job of keeping their heads up and improving,” Black Hawks head coach Brian DeLallo said. “We know we can win. Now we just have to go out and take it, because there are no gimmes in our league.”
South Fayette is a formidable opponent for Bethel. The Lions have won four WPIAL and three PIAA championships in 10 years. They owned the second longest conference winning streak in the WPIAL — 64 games- until Peters Township defeated the Lions 17-3 Sept. 25.
DeLallo said he has “much respect” for South Fayette head coach Joe Rossi and his staff and players. He faced the Lions three times when he coached at Montour in 2016 and 2017.
“Their kids are hard-nosed and as well-coached as it gets,” DeLallo said. “They are always prepared and that community just seems to grow quarterbacks and receivers.”
Despite taking a loss against Peters Township, Lions quarterback Naman Alemada fared well. The senior completed 22 of 37 passes for 262 yards.
The Lions also boast receivers Charley Rossi and Joey Audia. Rossi had five catches for 111 yards and Audia finished with eight catches for 66 yards in the loss to Peters. Rossi has 224 yards on 14 grabs and Audia 12 catches for 121 yards.
“South Fayette is tough to prepare for, because they have a sophisticated passing system which they run at a high level,” DeLallo said. “They are great at exploiting a weakness in a defense and generating explosive plays.”
DeLallo said the Lions have a “big and physical o-line.”
“You can’t sleep on the run game,” he said.
DeLallo said the Lions defense is fundamentally sound and does “a great job of disguising pressures and coverages.”
The Black Hawks, whose roster often features seven sophomores on defense and a handful on offense, will have their hands full against South Fayette.
“As far as our young players, while we are not happy with the results, the effort has been great,” DeLallo said. “Varsity game experience is allowing them to develop faster than they would sitting on the bench or playing J.V. However, the reality is that, despite our youth, we have 10 seniors who want to win, and we are working our tails off to get in the win column. We are all in this because we love to compete, and whether you are young, old, or in between, losing stinks.”
In BP’s 14-0 loss to Franklin Regional, Jason Nuttridge completed nine passes for 105 yards. Jack Kirchner was the top target with four receptions for 21 yards.
Other action
Mt. Lebanon visits Central Catholic Oct. 9.
Before traveling to North Allegheny Oct. 2, the Blue Devils defeated Hempfield 52-26 for their first win in Class 6A.
Mt. Lebanon’s Alex Tecza rushed for 157 yards while Maurice Plummer gained 109 on the ground. Tecza scored on runs of five and 75 yards and caught a 51-yard scoring strike from Joey Daniels.
Daniels threw for three touchdowns, two to Eli Heidenreich for 23 and 34 yards. He also tossed a six-yard touchdown to Jacob Munoz, who finished with four receptions for 47 yards. Heidenreich also threw a touchdown pass of 31 yards to Matt Wertz.
The Blue Devils’ Casey Sorsdal and Noah Bhuta shared the kicking duties. Bhuta booted a 37-yard field goal.
Chartiers Valley travels to Aliquippa Oct. 9. The Colts won their third game in a row, defeating Hopewell 39-19 also on the road.
Anthony Mackey completed 10 of 17 attempts for 132 yards. He threw two touchdown passes of 24 and 18 yards to Jason Bui, who had five catches for 55 yards. Mackey also rushed for one score.
Abraham Ibrahim caught a 23-yard scoring strike from Anthony Collura. Joey McCabe added a four-yard touchdown run.
Jacob Salsberry converted three extra points and Mackey combined with Sam Pocci for a two-point conversion. The Colts also picked up two points on a safety.