Hempfield gives up lead then gets dramatic win over Kiski Area on late field goal
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Friday, September 6, 2024 | 11:16 PM
Hempfield’s Mitchell Bitar (1) celebrates a touchdown against Kiski Area on Friday at Richard J. Dilts Field in West Leechburg.
Kiski’s Aven Shirley (3) wrestles Hempfield’s Mitchell Bitar for possession Friday at Richard J. Dilts Field in West Leechburg.
Kiski Area’s Landon Kucic (5) attempts to elude Hempfield defenders Friday at Richard J. Dilts Field in West Leechburg.
Kiski Area’s Andrew Finney attempts to secure the ball against Hempfield on Friday at Richard J. Dilts Field in West Leechburg.
Kiski Area’s Landon Kucic breaks through the line against Hempfield on Friday at Richard J. Dilts Field in West Leechburg.
Kiski Area running back Landon Kucic (5) tries to get to the outside against Hempfield on Friday at Richard J. Dilts Field in West Leechburg.
Kiski Area running back Landon Kucic stretches for yardage against Hempfield on Friday at Richard J. Dilts Field in West Leechburg.
Kiski Area’s Aven Shirley runs against Hempfield on Friday.
Kiski Area’s Carson Heinle runs against Hempfield on Friday.
Kiski Area’s Aven Shirley runs against Hempfield on Friday.
Kiski Area’s Teegan Shirley runs against Hempfield on Friday.
Hempfield’s Reddick Katchur (2) runs against Kiski Area on Friday.
Kiski Area supporters react against Hempfield on Friday.
Kiski Area’s Carson Heinle (14) attempts to pass the ball against Hempfield on Friday.
Hempfield was looking for its first win of 2024, and the Spartans got it in a heart-stopper.
With 32 seconds left, sophomore Sawyer Leuthold connected on his first field goal of the season from 26 yards, and Hempfield earned a 31-29 victory Friday night in a game delayed by storms.
For the second straight week, Kiski Area suffered a nonconference loss. This time, it came after a valiant comeback attempt in the second half.
Hempfield (1-2) scored on its first two possessions, with both touchdowns coming on fourth-down plays.
On fourth-and-6, junior quarterback Dom Detruf found Aidan Allison open for a catch-and-run score of 34 yards. The touchdown capped a 12-play, 79-yard drive. Then, on fourth-and-2, Detruf connected with Mitch Bitar from 47 yards, and the Spartans led 14-0 in the first quarter.
The Cavaliers, who came from behind last week to take a lead against Norwin in the third quarter, started another comeback by scoring on their next two drives. Andrew Finney returned the kickoff 60 yards to the Hempfield 25. On third down, Carson Heinle hit Teegan Shirley for a touchdown.
Shirley appeared to be down inside the 10-yard line, but he somehow kept his balance and scampered into the end zone for a 19-yard score.
Junior Autin Beck nailed his first varsity field goal from 32 yards with 8 minutes, 40 seconds left in the second quarter, and the Cavaliers drew within 14-10.
But the Spartans answered with two more touchdowns. Detruf added his third first-half touchdown pass when he found Andrew Jones on a 45-yard catch-and-run.
Reddik Katchur then intercepted Heinle at the Kiski Area 27-yard line, and twin brother Rogan Katchur capped the late drive with a 2-yard run to give Hempfield a 28-10 lead just before halftime.
Lightning and rain hit the area during halftime, which caused a delay of just over an hour.
Heinle hit Andrew Finney for a 10-yard score to pull Kiski Area within 11 points with 3:06 left in thethird quarter. Teegan Shirley set up the score with his third interception of the season.
After a three-and-out by Hempfield, Heinle threw his his third touchdown of the game, this one from 23 yards to Aven Shirley 28-23 at the end of the third quarter.
Kiski Area stopped Hempfield on a fourth-and-2, and, on the ensuing drive, the Cavaliers drove to take the lead. Landon Kucic scored form 6 yards, but the 2-point conversion failed.
Kiski Area led 29-28 late in the fourth quarter. The rain started again, but that didn’t dampen Hempfield’s hopes. Detruf, who threw for 247 yards, found Bitar on a crucial third-down conversion to put the Spartans in the red zone.
With 32 seconds left, Leuthold connected made good from 26 yards, and Hempfield was on top 31-29.
Heinle, who passed for 195 yards drove the Cavaliers to the Spartans 35, but Allison broke up his Hail Mary attempt on the game’s final play to seal the win.
Hempfield (1-2) opens Class 6A play next week at North Allegheny.
Kiski Area (1-2) faces Gateway at home next week to open 5A Big East conference play.
Tags: Hempfield, Kiski Area
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