Kushner carries North Allegheny to victory over Canon-McMillan

By: Antonio Rossetti
Friday, September 1, 2023 | 11:57 PM

The last time North Allegheny and Canon-McMillan faced off was during one of the rainiest days of the year last November. Friday night, there wasn’t a cloud in a sky, but the Tigers still rained on the Big Macs’ parade.

Logan Kushner ran for 167 yards on just 13 carries, including three touchdowns, leading North Allegheny to a 30-6 victory in a rematch of a 2022 Class 6A semifinal. Kushner also threw for 121 yards on 10-of-18 passing, including a touchdown.

“The line blocked amazing, and they did their job the whole night opening up gaps and everything,” Kushner said. “We just executed and had a great game.”

Tigers coach Art Walker Jr. said he was impressed with Kushner’s ability to endure contact when running the football.

“He’s running like a fullback,” Walker Jr. said. “He’s a tough kid. A 200-pound quarterback that stretched strong and tough. I’m super excited for how he played. He put the team on his shoulders at times.”

Added Kushner: “I enjoy the contact. I just think it’s fun running through people.”

North Allegheny had momentum from the beginning. Walker Jr. said capitalizing early was a key to success.

“It’s big especially in a conference game,” he said. “Teams turn the ball over, you turn it into points. It’s unbelievable. We didn’t turn it over, and our defense gave us a short field at times. We felt like we were never pinned back on our own land hardly at all, and that’s because of the effort they gave. I’m excited about that and excited how we came out in the second half.”

On Canon-McMillan’s first possession after forcing the Tigers to punt, a snap sailed over the head of Big Macs quarterback Mike Evans. Daniel Sellers recovered the fumble at the Canon Mac 22, putting the Tigers in prime scoring position.

NA capitalized on the mistake, with Kushner scoring on a 1-yard quarterback sneak. The PAT was blocked to keep the score at 6-0.

The Tigers extended their lead on a 27-yard field goal by Peter Nataro in the second quarter.

An interception by Khyrin Boyd off a deflected pass would lead to three massive plays for NA to end the half. Kushner ran for 35 yards. On the next play, he found Donaldson for a 26-yard reception. Kushner then capped the drive with a 26-yard touchdown run. After Notaro kicked the point after, the Tigers led 16-0 halftime.

The Tigers added onto their lead in the third quarter when Kushner connected with Nicholas Humphries for a 31-yard touchdown pass — his first touchdown reception — to make it 23-0 after the extra point.

“Honestly, I was actually a little shocked by what happened, but I was looking over at coach and I didn’t know what’s going on,” Humphries said. “Coach showed me a little signal and said run a go, and I just caught it. There was a lot emotions.”

The the Big Macs finally scored with 9:55 left in the fourth when Zach Welsh ran for a 6-yard touchdown. After a failed 2-point attempt, the score was 23-6 NA.

The Tigers had a lengthy drive that ended with another Kushner touchdown, a 15-yard run, and the point after made it 30-6.

Sellers and Tyree Alualu spearheaded the defense, which shut out opponents for the first seven quarters this season.

Luke Rohan added 41 yards on nine carries for the Tigers.

For Canon-McMillan, Evans completed 15 of 27 passes for 118 yards. Welsh ran for 42 yards on eight carries.

“Our real concern was this one because the section,” Walker Jr. said. “We have Erie McDowell on the road this week coming up, but this is one that gives you a little bit of breathing room because you got one win in section.”

Tags: Canon-McMillan, North Allegheny