Bethel Park continues learning process
After getting a look at two of the best teams in Class 5A, Bethel Park continues it’s learning process when the Black Hawks host Franklin Regional at 7 p.m. Sept. 25.
It is BP’s home opener following road games against Upper St. Clair and Gateway.
The game will prepare the young Black Hawks — they only return one starter from last year’s quarterfinal playoff squad — for future Allegheny Six Conference contests.
BP will face formidable foes such as South Fayette Oct. 9 and Peters Township Oct. 16. The Indians lost in the WPIAL Class 5A final in 2019 while the Lions advanced to the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals. The Lions have won four WPIAL titles and three PIAA crowns under head coach Joe Rossi.
“Peters Township is really good and South Fayette is going to be tough,” BP head coach Brian DeLallo said, “but we might have played the best teams in our conference and league.
“They have talented kids all over the place and are big everywhere,” DeLallo added of the Panthers and Gators. “You learn from (playing them). The plan is to cut down on what we are doing wrong so that we can execute a little better and continue improving this week so we are prepared when we jump back into conference play.”
Though BP started the season with a 34-7 loss to USC, the Hawks showed promise.
Troy Volpatti rushed for the lone score and Michael Fracus converted the extra point.
Volpatti rushed for 57 yards. Weston Konopka, Jason Muench and Gavin Moul all averaged four yards per carry. Jack Kirchner carried the ball once for 10 yards.
Jason Nuttridge completed three passes for 108 yards while Max Blanc completed eight of 15 attempts for 42 yards.
BP’s Jack Kirchner had an interception. The Black Hawks, however, turned the ball over three times, once on a fumble and twice on interceptions.
“Sometimes you get your butt whipped by a better football team,” DeLallo said. “You can either sulk and get down in the dumps or you can find a way to come back and get better and improve.”
Other games
Action on tap for Sept. 25 also has Chartiers Valley traveling to Hopewell for Section 1-AAAA clash and Mt. Lebanon hosting Hempfield in a Class 6-A game. Kick-off for both games is set for 7 p.m.
The Colts opened Parkway Conference action with a 34-7 win against Montour.
In the win, Anthony Mackey rushed for 146 yards on five carries. He scored touchdowns of two and 89 yards, and threw for 128 yards. He completed 8 of 14 passes.
CV’s Anthony Collura had five receptions for 91 yards, while Socrates Boulis tossed a 56-yard scoring strike to Abraham Ibrahim.
Jordan Demus rushed for a 9-yard touchdown and Patrick Mulligan capped the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown run.
Jacob Salsberry converted five extra points for the Colts.
Lebo, meanwhile, is coming off its season opener at Canon-McMillan. The Blue Devils were delayed in playing because of issues arising when a player tested positive for COVID-19.