North Hills capitalizes on mistakes to roll past Fox Chapel, pick up 1st win

By: Bob Orkwis
Friday, September 19, 2025 | 9:58 PM

Both North Hills and Fox Chapel came into Friday searching for Class 5A Northeast Conference win No. 1. The Indians were also in search of their first win of the season, and they used three first-half turnovers on the way to a 56-7 victory over the Foxes.

“I thought we were really good in all three phases tonight. We challenged the kids to do that,” Indians interim coach Brady Zangaro said. “But those (turnovers) make a huge difference. They are momentum-changing plays, and anytime you can convert them into points, that’s even better.”

Cam Healey recovered a Fox Chapel fumble inside the Foxes’ 20-yard line, and that resulted in an 8-yard touchdown run for quarterback Kelly McCarthy on fourth-and-1.

Michael Waters intercepted Joey Geller on the next possession, and McCarthy again took advantage as he found tight end Joey Lutz for a 25-yard score and a 14-0 lead.

The third turnover directly resulted in a touchdown as Justus Green scooted 58-yards with a pick-6 that put North Hills up 21-0.

McCarthy scrambled 29 yards for another touchdown run before connecting with Green on a 31-yard scoring strike, and the Indians led 35-0 with about four minutes left before halftime.

Fox Chapel put together a nice scoring drive of 80 yards, which ended with Geller throwing a touchdown pass of 14 yards to Nathan Johnson.

But the Indians answered with an 80-yard drive of their own that ended with Lutz catching a 9-yard pass from McCarthy. North Hills led 42-7 at halftime, with the mercy-rule clock activated for the second half.

Johnell Edison (10 yards) and Mikeal Green (15) added scoring runs in the second half for the Indians.

Senior signal caller McCarthy had a big night for North Hills, completing 13 of 20 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns, and adding two more scores and 51 yards on the ground.

“He’s a dual-threat kid and honestly, this a new offense for him and his fourth different offense in four years,” Zangaro said of McCarthy. “We expect him to continue to get better. I’m super proud of him tonight.”

Geller threw for 100 yards for Fox Chapel, but North Hills held the Foxes to just 22 yards rushing.

Zangaro, a North Hills graduate who is filling in at his alma mater while his former coach Pat Carey recovers from an autoimmune disorder, was happy to get his first win but felt even better that his team also got its first victory on the year.

“It feels great, but it’s all about the kids. They deserve it. They worked their tails off to get this despite the slow start (to the season), but I’m happy to get that win.”

Fox Chapel, (2-3, 0-2) gets top ranked Pine-Richland at home next week in a conference matchup.

North Hills (1-4, 1-1) has a nonconference game against 6A Norwin at home next week.

Zangaro hopes the Indians can continue to build off the victory at the halfway point of the season.

“We have to continue to build on this win. Continue to get better in all three phases, but we need to take this momentum and keep trending in the right direction.”

Tags: Fox Chapel, North Hills