North Allegheny Is Record Setting In PIAA Quad-A Title Victory

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 15, 2012 | 9:33 PM

The North Allegheny Tigers completed an undefeated season with a record setting 63-28 victory over the Coatesville Red Raiders in the PIAA Quad-A Championship game on Saturday night at Hersheypark Stadium.

The Tigers racked up 456 yards of offense in the win, including 289 posted by quarterback Mack Leftwich. The 63 points was the most scored by a winning team in a state championship game, breaking the record of 56 set by Central Bucks West in a 56-7 victory over New Castle in the 1998 title game. The 91 combined points was also a title game record.

Leftwich threw for 199 yards on 16-20 and two scores, the UTEP recruit, ran for one touchdown. Alex DeCiantis ran 21 times for 115 yards, the Tigers racked up 26 first downs on the night. The win give the Tigers their third Quad-A state title, winning also in 1990 and 2010.

North Allegheny scored on the opening possession as Leftwich moved the Tigers down the field in twelve plays, hitting Skylar Cox for an eight yard touchdown. Coatesville went down the field to the 20 yard line but Dre Boggs fumbled, Brendan Coniker went 80 yards untouched for a touchdown and a 14-0 NA lead. The defense scored again, Daquan Worley fumbled, Kevin Edwards recovered, broke a tackle and rambled 52 yards for a score.

Coatesville answered with Isaiah Flamer’s 60 yard kickoff return, Emmett Hunt scored on the third play to put the Red Raiders on the board. But Gregg Garrity returned the kickoff to the Coatesville 47, Leftwich scored on a five yard run with 27 seconds left in the quarter. The 28 points by the Tigers tied a PIAA championship record for points in the first quarter.

The Tigers added to the lead in the second after Hunt shanked an eight yard punt. Alex DeCiantis scored on a 22 yard run, NA was driving again, but DeCiantis fumbled on the 13 yard line, on the next play Worley went 89 yards for a score, the half ended at 35-14 the Tigers on top.

Coatesville took the opening possession of the second half in eight plays, Hunt scored his second touchdown, again from a yard out, but it was all North Allegheny the rest of the way. Leftwich hit Garrity for a 17 yard touchdown, DeCiantis added a 1 yard run late in the third, set up by an Edwards interception. The senior tacked on a 1 yard touchdown with 8:44 remaining to kick the mercy rule in.

But the scoring wasn’t over, Nick Cully broke a 60 yard run for the Tigers, Hunt hit Boggs for a 43 yard score with 4:14 left.

Head coach Art Walker Jr. was very pleased with his offensive performance, he added that Leftwich is the best quarterback that he has ever coached and was proud of all of his kids. Walker had a chain with 11 links with him during the post-game interview, he said that signifies his offense and the links allow them to play as one.

Gregg Garrity led the Tigers with five catches for 55 yards, he credited Leftwich and his ability to keep the play alive. The senior wide out said he never dreamed that the Tigers would post 63 points in the title game.

Coatesville posted 283 yards. Worley ran 17 times for 160 yards, Hunt finished 11 of 18 for 131 yards. The District 1 champions end the season 13-3.

Scoring Summary:
Coatesville Red Raiders   7 – 7 – 7 – 7 = 28
North Allegheny Tigers    28 – 7 – 14 – 14 = 63

Fourth Quarter:
NA:  DeCiantis 1 run(Ziolkowski kick)  8:44
NA:  Nick Cully 60 run(Buchert kick)  4:32
C:  Dre Boggs 43 pass from Hunt(Bollenbaugh kick)  4:14