South Fayette’s Saxton earns mark
Drew Saxton not only hit a career mark Friday night, but South Fayette’s senior quarterback also kept the Lions undefeated after a 42-33 Class 4A Northwest Nine Conference victory at New Castle.
Saxton, who entered the game needing 60 passing yards to reach the 6,000-career plateau, completed 14 of 19 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns.
He completed touchdown passes for 60, 25, 2 and 5 yards.
Undefeated South Fayette (70, 6-0), which is ranked No. 2 in Class 4A by the Post-Gazette, jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. The No. 5 Red Hurricanes (5-3, 5-2) struck back with 21 points in the second quarter before trailing, 28-21, at the half.
Ohio State recruit Marcus Hooker paced New Castle’s offense with 172 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Hooker scored on runs of 11, 25, 2, 5 and 15 yards. Josh Compton chipped in with 143 rushing yards for the ’Canes.
Johnny Beck rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns for the Lions.
The victory also kept South Fayette’s regular-season win streak alive at 54 games. earn its third win in a row. Seth Cohen threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns for Highlands.
Thomas Jefferson 34, Mars 6: The No. 1 Jaguars (6-0) jumped out to a 13-0 advantage at the half before routing host Mars (4-3) in non-conference action. Justin Vigna rushed for a pair of scores, while Shane Stump threw two touchdown passes for Thomas Jefferson.
Belle Vernon 28, Trinity 21: Mason Pascoe ran for 211 yards with two touchdowns as the No. 3 Leopards (6-0, 6-0) held on to earn a Big Nine Conference win at home against the Hillers (3-3, 2-3).
Blackhawk 14, Ambridge 7: Despite trailing, 7-0, at the half, the Cougars (2-4, 2-3) rebounded with a pair of punt returns for touchdowns to slip past the Bridgers (0-7, 0-6) on the road and secure a Northwest Nine Conference victory. Kenny Gawley led all rushers with for 176 yards
Greensburg Salem 31, Albert Gallatin 12: The Golden Lions (3-4, 3-3) scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to secure a Big Nine Conference win on the road against the Colonials (1-5, 1-4). Albert Gallatin’s Dominick Lewellen had 220 passing yards. of touchdowns, scoring one on a 47-yard punt return and another on a 27-yard pass fro Basinger.
Quaker Valley 42, Beaver Falls 14: Ricky Guss rushed for three touchdowns and threw for 188 yards as the No. 2 Quakers (7-0, 4-0) beat the visiting Tigers (1-5, 0-3) in Beaver Valley Conference action. Guss’ three scores put him at 18 touchdowns this season, which set the program record for touchdowns in a season previously held by Mike Kolesar in 1983.
Keystone Oaks 20, 13: Burrell Cougars (1-6, 1-5). Benedek completed 7 of 12 passes and two touchdowns. Seth Andres chipped in with three touchdowns.
South Park 39, Waynesburg 6: Damon Smith collected 363 yards of total offense as the visiting Eagles (3-3, 3-1) stomped the Raiders (1-5, 1-5) in the Insterstate Conference. Smith completed 7 of 8 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 105 yards and two scores. Devin Turner had five receiptions for 220 yards and three touchdowns.