South Fayette comes alive in 2nd half to top old conference rival West Allegheny

By: Bob Orkwis
Saturday, September 2, 2023 | 12:02 AM

It was technically a Class 4A vs. 5A nonconference matchup, but it was more like a clash of two old rivals as West Allegheny and South Fayette collided Friday night.

The former foes in the Allegheny Six conference came into the game after opening-week wins, and it was the Lions scoring 21 unanswered points to come away with a 31-14 victory at home on senior night.

West Allegheny scored first, taking the opening kickoff and driving 85 yards on 12 plays in almost seven minutes to grab a 7-0 lead.

The Indians gained most of the yardage on the ground, but it was the passing attack that got the score. Quarterback Brody Malatak’s pass was underthrown and tipped by a defensive back, but sophomore Teagan Tomei snagged the carom and took the ball into the end zone for the touchdown.

South Fayette answered with a 70-yard scoring march. Senior Nate Deanes, who had three touchdowns in the Week Zero win over Chartiers Valley, capped off the drive with a 21-yard run to tie the score at 7-7.

The Indians came right back, taking a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter when Roman Police scored on a well-executed sweep from 28 yards out for his second touchdown of the season.

“I thought (West Allegheny) had a great game plan,” said South Fayette coach Joe Rossi. “They came out with different formations, but I thought we wore on them a bit, especially in the second half.”

Unfortunately for West Allegheny, Police’s run was its final score of the evening.

South Fayette tied the game late in the second quarter on a Deanes 1-yard run with 1:16 left. Quarterback Nico Lamonde had a big 9-yard run on fourth-and-4 to keep the drive alive. The senior then hit Michael Gimigliano with a 30-yard pass. A great diving catch by the senior wideout at the 1 set up the Deanes score.

Rossi said the offense found its stride with contributions from the entire unit.

“It was a little bit of everybody there,” he said. “Nate, Talan (Mizenko) came in and did a great job, Mikey G, Nico made some great throws. We’re getting better. It’s early. Usually you have two scrimmages to prepare.”

The Lions took the lead for good on their opening second-half drive. Junior Tyler Nicholson booted a 38-yard field goal to give South Fayette a 17-14 advantage.

Lamonde, who threw for over 100 yards and a pair of scores in the season opener, then hit senior wide receiver Dom Monz on a post pattern for a 24-14 third-quarter lead. The touchdown grab was the third of the season for the senior Monz.

Rossi sees his senior quarterback continuing to be comfortable running the show for the Lions.

“Nico operates the offense,” Rossi said. “He had eight games under his belt last year. He’s doing a good job of guiding the ship.”

Deanes put the finishing touches on the game with a pair of runs on a 40-yard drive. After leaving the game for a bit with cramps, Deanes ran for 30 yards to the 10-yard line and added his third score of the night on the next snap to make the score 31-14 South Fayette with just under three minutes remaining.

Deanes, a four-year starter for the Lions, finished the night with 17 carries for 133 yards to go with the three scores.

“He’s the face of the team,” Rossi said of his senior workhorse. “Offensively, defensively, we’re able to put him in the wildcat when we need him. He’s just an all-around great football player.”

Gimigliano had five receptions for 105 yards, and Lamonde finished the evening 9 of 13 throwing the ball for 165 yards and a touchdown.

“When we need something or a big play made, he’s, our guy,” Rossi said. “He made some big catches tonight.”

Both Deanes and Gimigliano made an impact on the defensive side for the Lions, with Gimigliano getting the game’s only turnover on a late interception.

One more week of nonconference play awaits both teams.

West Allegheny (1-1) returns home to face Ringgold. South Fayette (2-0) makes the short trip to face another territorial rival Montour.

Rossi said the plan for the final nonconference tune-up before Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference play begins is simple vs. the Spartans.

“Just continue to get better,” said the coach. “And stay healthy.”

Tags: South Fayette, West Allegheny