Belle Vernon tops TJ again to reach final
As Belle Vernon racked up monumental win after monumental win during its undefeated regular season, the Leopards began to look more and more like a “team of destiny.”
Many expected Belle Vernon to make it to Heinz Field atthe end of the year, but in order to get there, the Leopards first had to go through archrival Thomas Jefferson — the two-time defending WPIAL and state champions in Class 4A. Belle Vernon (10-0) defeated the Jaguars (8-3) in an instant classic when the teams met in the regular season Sept. 24, but there was a whole lot more at stake in the rematchwith a spot in the title gameon the line.
When the clock hit zeroes and the dust had settled on the field Friday night at West Mifflin High School, there was no longer any doubt about the superior team. The Leopards roared to a 14-0 first-quarter lead thanks to two rushing touchdowns by star senior Devin Whitlock, then held on to advance to the WPIAL final witha convincing 21-7 win.
“The goal is to get to the field with the yellow seats,” said Belle Vernon coach Matt Humbert. “We achieved that goal. … I’m just proud of the kids and proud of the coaches.”
Whitlock, whose 40-yard touchdown run with 4.5 seconds to play lifted the Leopards to a 28-21 win against ThomasJefferson in their previous meeting, was equally spectacular in the rematch. He ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, including a 79-yard score late in the first quarter to bury the Jaguarsinto a 14-point hole.
“That’sjust him. That’s just normal behavior for that dude,” Humbert said. “The dude is a stud. He’s a star. I don’t really get enamored with it, because that’s him. That’swho he’s been from day one.”
Belle Vernon’s ferocious defense kept Thomas Jefferson off the board for 59 of the game’s 60 minutes, allowing theJaguars’ only points on a 1yard sneak by quarterback Joe Lekse on fourth-and-goal with 59 seconds remaining. The outcome of the game had long since been decided, although the Leopards narrowly missed out on becoming the first team to shut out ThomasJefferson since 1999.
“Our defensive coaches, they were really hoping for that[shutout],” Humbert said.
Jaguars coach Bill Cherpak spoke highly of Belle Vernon linebacker Cole Weightman’s performance, noting that Weightman was a huge difference-maker on the Leopards defense despite playing witha torn meniscus.
“Himplaying on one leg, I’d give 10 game balls to him for what he did,” Cherpak said. “That’s just amazing. To have a kid with that much heart and that much desire to play … I’d take 20 of him [on my team]every day.”
Weightman, who is also one of the top wrestlers in the WPIAL, said the plan is for himto bypass surgery until after his senior year of high school is finished. For now, he said the plan is to play through the pain and try to help bring Belle Vernon its first WPIAL championship in 26years.
“It’s pretty miserable, but pain is only temporary,” Weightmansaid. “I’m grateful to be out here with my teammates.”
Leopards sophomore sensationQuintonMartinrushed for 39 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, scoring from 19 yards out to put Belle Vernon up, 21-0, early in the fourth quarter. Martin added three catches for 47 yards and also intercepted a pass in the end zone late in the first half to keepit a two-score game.
With Whitlock, Martin and Weightman leading the way, the Leopards will face No. 2 Aliquippa (10-1) at 3 p.m. Saturday in the WPIAL Class 4Achampionship.
Other semifinal Aliquippa McKeesport 21:
One of the most remarkable streaks in the history of WPIAL football isstill alive for at least another year.
Aliquippa extended its record of consecutive WPIAL titlegame appearances to 14 in a row on Friday night, doing so in thrilling fashion with a double-overtime victory against McKeesport at CanonMcMillan High School. After the Quips forced and recovered a fumble on defense, Jayace Williams caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Quentin Goode in the second overtime period to set off a raucouscelebration in the end zone.
Freshman phenom Tiqwai Hayes had a game for the ages for Aliquippa, rushing for 229 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries, while Goode completed13 of 22 passes for 99 yards and the game-winning score. Tigers junior Bobbie Boyd rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, adding a 69-yard touchdown onan interception return.
McKeesport built a 14-0 lead in the first half, but Aliquippa erased it by halftime on a pair of touchdown runs 27, by Hayes. Boyd’s picksix then put the Tigers back in front, but Hayes’ third score tied the game with 9:19 left in thefourth quarter.
The Quips attempted a 38yard field goal at the end of regulation, but McKeesport’s Jahmil Perryman blocked it to send the game to overtime. The Tigers then appeared to win the game with a field goal after stopping Aliquippa in the first overtime period, but officials said the kick was no good.
Boyd then fumbled a pitch in the second overtime period and the Quips recovered, and Goode found Williams for the walk-off touchdown to send Aliquippa to Heinz Field for a 14th consecutive WPIAL title gameappearance.