Balanced attack leads No. 1 West Allegheny past Kiski Area

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 29, 2017 | 11:48 PM

Pity the team that gets West Allegheny when the No. 1 Indians finally “put it all together.”

West Allegheny continued to be a multi-headed monster in a 31-7 win over nonconference Kiski Area at Davis Field.

“We're still trying to figure it out so we can try put the kids in the right positions,” West Allegheny coach Bob Palko said. “That's just the way it is.”

West Allegheny came out in the first half deploying its wildcat offense, throwing many personnel looks at Kiski Area with eight players touching the ball in the first half.

Six players contributed to all of West Allegheny's scores.

The look paid off as the Indians (5-0) scored on their first two offensive drives. The first, the opening drive of the game, covered 45 yards and seven plays. The drive ended with a 4-yard run from senior Tyler Gallant.

West Allegheny's next drive took seven plays over 66 yards. Senior Will Weber ended the drive with a 4-yard score.

Weber, who led West Allegheny in rushing coming into the game, left in the second quarter with an ankle injury. He did not return.

“It's next man up for us. It's the way we have to do things,” Palko said. “We'll see what happens.”

Senior kicker Kolbe Stout added a 24-yard field goal before senior Isaiah Crowe took an interception back for a touchdown.

“They're a very good football team. They deserve to be (ranked) where they're at,” Kiski Area coach Sam Albert said. “You can't make mistakes against teams like that. They had the pick and ran it back. They blocked two punts. Those are things you can't do against that type of team”

Sophomore quarterback Kam Kruze connected on one of West Allegheny's two first-half completions, with junior Mateo Vandamia for a 7-yard score.

Trailing 31-7, Kiski Area (1-5) jumped on the board as time expired in the first half. Junior quarterback Ryne Wallace heaved a pass toward the end zone to a group of awaiting West Allegheny defenders.

None of the Indians could find the handle on the football, which caromed into the waiting hands of junior Troy Kuhn for a 33-yard touchdown reception.

It was the final scoring play of the game.

“I'm very pleased, being my first year, with the kids' effort,” Albert said. “They go all-out. I was very pleased with our effort. We just have to get better. We have to execute better.”

Wallace finished with 110 yards on 7-of-15 passing for the Cavaliers. Junior receiver Jack Colecchi caught four passes for 108 yards.

Dave Yohe is a freelance writer.

Tags: Kiski School, West Allegheny