Belle Vernon claws past EF
WEST MIFFLIN — If Belle Vernon and Elizabeth Forward had a high-scoring affair two weeks ago in the regular-season finale, then Friday’s contest in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 3A was the anthesis, as the Leopards earned a 21-10 victory over the Warriors at Titan Stadium on the campus of West Mifflin High School.
Belle Vernon, who has won 11 straight games since losing, 34-6, to Thomas Jefferson in the season opener on Aug. 28, faces top-seeded Avonworth (11-1) in the semifinals.
Belle Vernon rallied to edge Elizabeth Forward, 29-28, on Oct. 30 to win the Class 3A Interstate Conference with a record of 6-0.
Elizabeth Forward (9-3) had a promising opening drive that stalled in the red zone and Luke Holdren kicked a 34-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 6:04 remaining in the first quarter.
The Warriors forced Belle Vernon to punt on its first drive, but the Leopards regained possession as the ball bounded off an Elizabeth Forward player and Belle Vernon pounced on the ball.
The Leopards drove inside the Warriors’ 20-yard line, but a fumble gave the ball back to Elizabeth Forward.
EF quarterback Kaden Allen took off for a 71-yard run that had the Warriors at Belle Vernon’s 20. The Leopards forced a turnover on downs and took over with 1:34 remaining in the first period.
Belle Vernon scored with 7:26 left in the second quarter when quarterback Jace Gedekoh pitched the ball to Chace Petrosky, who took the ball 17 yards into the end zone with 7:26 left in the first half.
Landon Bell tacked on his first of three PATs for a 7-3 advantage.
The Leopards didn’t take long to score in the second half, as Petrosky raced 80 yards for a score and a 14-3 lead with 11:45 remaining in the third quarter. Petrosky had 110 yards on seven carries, but had to leave the game with an injury in the third period.
Belle Vernon didn’t let having its star running and defensive back out affect its play, as the Leopards forced Elizabeth Forward into a fourth-down attempt, but the Warriors’ kick-quick attempt failed and Belle Vernon had possession near the 50 with five minutes left in the third quarter.
Vander Raczkowski’s 31-yard run drove the Leopards to Elizabeth Forward’s 13-yard line before quarterback Jace Gedekoh called his own number and scored on a nine-yard run for a 21-3 advantage with 2:28 left in the third quarter.
Raczkowski gained 49 yards on seven carries.
The Warriors drove inside the Belle Vernon 10 late in the third quarter, but the Leopards forced a fumble and recovery to deny Elizabeth Forward a score entering the final frame.
The Warriors scored a touchdown with 4:32 remaining in the fourth quarter when Logan Rider pulled in a 14-yard reception from Allen on fourth down to cut the deficit to 21-10 after Holdren connected on the extra point.
Elizabeth Forward attempted an on-side kick, but Belle Vernon recovered. The Warriors forced a turnover on downs, but couldn’t score a second touchdown.