Belle Vernon rolls over Laurel Highlands
BELLE VERNON – Laurel Highlands surprised Belle Vernon with an onside kick to start the game that led to a field goal, but once the Leopards got going, coach Matt Humbert’s team cruised to a 47-10 victory in Class 4A Big Six Conference play Friday night at James Weir Stadium.
The Mustangs (1-2, 4-3) won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, but had the first possession after Antwan Black Jr. recovered the onside kick at Belle Vernon’s 35.
Laurel Highlands drove to the Leopards’ 19 before the drive stalled and Tanner Bruzda connected on a 36-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter and a 3-0 lead for the visitors.
Black took a kickoff return 80 yards for a touchdown with 11 seconds left in the game, but that was all the offense the Mustangs could muster, as Humbert improved to 16-0 as a head coach against his alma mater. LH was held to 74 total yards with 42 rushing and 32 passing.
The Mustangs attempted another onside kick, but Belle Vernon (2-1, 3-3) was ready for it and recovered inside Laurel Highlands territory.
Curtis Wade threw the first of three touchdown passes when he fired an eight-yard strike to Deaubre Lightfoot for a 7-3 advantage after Preston Rathway made the first of five extra points with 4:46 left in the first period. Wade connected with Anthony Crews and Kole Doppelheuer for his second and third passing scores. Wade had a 12-yard touchdown run.
Nick Mahalko had a 76-yard interception return for a score with 41 seconds remaining. He also recovered a fumble.
Doppelheuer gained 167 yards on 19 carries and Wade was 7 of 12 for 111 yards.
Lightfoot had an interception in the third quarter.