West Allegheny works overtime to defeat Bethel Park, 36-35
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Friday, September 7, 2018 | 11:54 PM
West Allegheny quarterback Kam Kruze found senior tight end Isaac Longstreth open in the end zone on a jump pass for a successful two-point conversion to give the Indians a 36-35 overtime win over Bethel Park on the final play of Friday’s Class 5A Allegheny Eight Conference contest.
“It’s just an installed play that we run and practice all the time,” Kruze said. “We just have to be ready for what the defense throws at us.”
Jehvonn Lewis, who rushed for 328 yards in Bethel Park’s opening game win over Woodland Hills, was held to just 41 yards by West Allegheny, but he scored three touchdowns for the second week in a row.
Lewis’ third score came on a 5-yard run on the first possession of overtime. John Gummo’s extra point put the Black Hawks ahead 35-28.
Dante Flati had the answer for West Allegheny. On his second carry of overtime, he scored on a 4-yard touchdown — his third score of the game. He finished with 19 carries for 180 yards.
“Dante just runs hard,” Kruze said. “He runs through people and hits the hole hard. He always runs his heart out.”
Kruze, a junior, had a big game in his own right for the Indians, completing 15 of 22 passes for 196 yards and touchdowns to Kyle Guilfoil (7 yards) and Mateo Vandamia (14 yards).
Bethel Park junior quarterback Anthony Chiccitt was 12 for 21 for 197 yards with a pair of touchdowns in the loss.
Even though Chiccitt threw for almost 200 yards, 150 of those and both touchdowns came in the first half.
The game featured four ties, including a 21-21 score at halftime and a 28-28 tie heading into overtime. Flati now has five touchdowns in two games for the Indians.
West Allegheny (2-0 2-0) is tied with Upper St. Clair atop the Allegheny 8 Conference .
The Black Hawks (1-1, 1-1) return home to play Shaler in the first of two consecutive nonconference matchups. West Allegheny plays host to Peters Township in a conference matchup next Friday.
Bob Orkwis is a freelance writer.
Tags: Bethel Park, West Allegheny
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