Fisher carries No. 2 Central Catholic past rival North Allegheny

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 9, 2017 | 1:18 AM

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Instead of touchdowns or yards, wins is the stat Central Catholic's offensive coordinator uses to define Troy Fisher.

As in, “we want to put the ball in the hands of a senior quarterback who's got 35 victories under his belt,” said assistant Steve Bezila as Central Catholic celebrated a 14-7 victory over conference rival North Allegheny on Friday night at Newman Stadium.

With about 7 minutes left, Bezila turned his quarterback loose.

Tied 7-7, Fisher moved Central Catholic 69 yards with two completions, a 34-yarder under pressure to Cam Laconi on third down, and then a 35-yard screen pass to Khalil Weathers that he took to North Allegheny's 1-yard line. They were two throws befitting a three-year starter who completed 11 of 19 attempts Friday for 213 yards and rushed for 54 more.

“That was definitely nerve-wracking,” Fisher said. “It was a do-or-die moment.”

On first-and-goal, Fisher pushed himself into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.

“We've got five new starters up front, three new receivers out there and the veteran at quarterback,” Bezila said. “Right now, we need to lean on him a little bit more.

“Troy wants it,” Bezila added. “Khalil and Cam and Corey Thomas and Gavin Thomson are guys that we need with the ball in space.”

Laconi had five catches for 74 yards, Weathers had three for 54 and Thomson took his lone reception 72 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.

Central Catholic started the fourth quarter with five consecutive runs by Fisher, David Green and Dontre Jones, who added 56 yards on 11 carries. But then Fisher threw on five of the next six snaps.

“We've opened the offense up a little bit this year compared to the last couple of years,” Bezila said. “Hopefully, we can continue to build on this.”

Thomas' impact was felt most on defense with an interception and a fumble recovery. The two teams combined to force five first-half turnovers and 13 total punts, so it became clear that the first team to two touchdowns might win. With 5:22 left, Central Catholic led 14-7.

Consecutive sacks by defensive ends Brian Dallas and Green erased North Allegheny's last chance.

“As coach said, we put our flag in the field tonight, so this is our house,” Weathers said. “We said this game was going to define the rest of our season. I'm pretty sure it has.”

The victory has No. 2-ranked Central Catholic (2-1, 2-0) atop the Northern Seven standings in WPIAL Class 6A, poised as the most likely challenger for top-ranked Pine-Richland.

No. 5 North Allegheny (1-2, 0-1) lost its second in a row but showed improvement from last week's loss at Bethel Park.

“All the respect to NA,” Fisher said. “They never stopped, and it was a great game to play. Win or lose that game, we were happy with (the effort). I'm sure they have to be the same way too.”

NA tailback Turner White rushed for 161 yards on 28 carries, including a 16-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Tigers quarterback Luke Trueman added 67 yards on 20 carries, but he threw for just 7 yards and was limited by two lost fumbles and an interception.

The most crucial turnover came late in the second quarter as North Allegheny was trying to drive 98 yards. The Tigers were inside Central Catholic's 15-yard line when the ball came lose as Trueman fought for extra yards, an extra-effort mistake that his coach forgave.

“Defense just did a tremendous job and kept us in the football game,” NA coach Art Walker said. “We had opportunities in the first half and turned the ball over. If we finish that 98-yard drive to end the second quarter and go in tied, I think it's a different mindset.

“But kids kept fighting,” he added. “We didn't do that last week and we did this week, so I'm very, very proud of that.”

Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.

Tags: Central Catholic, North Allegheny