Central Catholic defense clamps down on North Allegheny in Class 6A heavyweight fight

By: Antonio Rossetti
Friday, September 26, 2025 | 11:45 PM

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For the first time in the all-time series between Class 6A powers, North Allegheny didn’t reach the end zone against Central Catholic on Friday night.

Western Michigan commit Angelo Pugliano led the Central Catholic defense, tallying two sacks, as the Vikings tamed the Tigers, 21-6.

UNC commit Ashton Blatt and Duke commit Colsen Gatten both registered one sack and two tackles for losses while Jaylen Smith notched two tackles for loss and a sack. Roman Thompson also mustered a sack.

Central Catholic (5-1, 3-0) had two goal line stands, both in the fourth quarter, holding the Tigers to a field goal on one and a turnover on downs with 1 minute, 40 seconds left.

“We knew they were a good team,” Gatten said. “They came down here to our own goal line. It just shows something about your defense and the culture all around.”

“We’re a brotherhood,” Pugliano said. “We were locked in, and our communication was there. Nothing was stopping us tonight. We’re on fire.”

Blatt commended Pugliano.

“Without him, I wouldn’t be able to do the things I do on the defensive side,” Blatt said. “I’m very appreciative of him.”

Gatten said the defensive line played a huge role in victory. It held NA’s Luke Rohan to 40 yards and 2.4 yards per carry.

“I think our linebackers are productive because these guys (the D-line) eat up front,” Gatten said. “We couldn’t do anything without them. We’re very thankful for them.”

Blatt said their physicality is what makes the difference.

“We never give up, play in, play out,” Blatt said. “We’re always going to bring physicality, and that’s what we preach at Central.”

Offensively, the Vikings won the game on the ground as the massive Central Catholic line got the push up front.

Thompson spearheaded the running attack, tallying 97 yards on 21 carries with two touchdowns.

Thompson powered in Central Catholic’s first two touchdowns, one for 6 yards in the first quarter and another 10-yard touchdown in the third.

Jaylen Alexander changed the pace with speed and registered 61 yards on seven carries, including a key 53-yard touchdown run that put the Vikings up 21-3.

“We struggled in the first half, but we established the line of scrimmage in the second half,” Gatten said. “(The running backs) played one hell of a game too.”

NA’s quarterback Brady Brinkley tallied 136 yards, completing 15 of 27 passes.

After pinning the Tigers at their own 2-yard line, the Vikings got good field position by forcing a three and out.

Thompson capped off a short 40-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead at right before the end of the first quarter.

NA tallied its first points on an Ethan Marowich 27-yard field goal after earning good field position after shutting down the Vikings on a three and out.

Prior to the kick, the Tigers got a first down on a roughing the passer call on an incomplete pass on third down which eventually led to the field goal that cut the lead to 7-3.

The Vikings came out of the gate hot in the second half when Nico Mager returned a kick for 39 yards to the NA 49.

Central Catholic covered the last 49 yards in 33 seconds and capped it off with a Thompson 10-yard touchdown run to go up 14-3.

Owen Herrick found Aiden Nasiadka on a quick RPO pass that went for 34 yards to the 10, setting up the score.

Central Catholic piled on when Jayden Alexander broke one up the middle for 53 yards to go up 21-3.

NA’s Brady Brinkley found Ben Kern for 11 yards to get a first and goal at the 2-yard line.

Nevertheless, the Vikings line got the push up front and stood their ground. Jaylen Alexander had a tackle for loss of 2 yards on third down at the 1.

The Tigers settled for a Marowich 25-yards field goal early in the fourth quarter.

NA got the ball back and Brinkley found Cam Kushner for a 48-yard completion, getting inside the Central 10. Nevertheless, the Vikings shut the door and went home with a 21-6 win.

North Allegheny had Central’s number in 2022 and 2023, but Central Catholic has turned it on with a third consecutive victory against their Class 6A rival.

“We didn’t play our best game, but we came out with the W,” Blatt said. “We’re going to flush it after today, but next time we play them is definitely going to be something and would be for the big one.”

Tags: Central Catholic, North Allegheny