Late touchdown and defense keep Burgettstown undefeated
MONESSEN – The showdown for Black Hills Conference supremacy might have lacked offense but it did not lack for drama.
The game had as much flow offensively as pond water in mid-August as both Burgettstown and Monessen showed that head-knocking defensive football still has a place in 2026.
There were no points scored through the game’s first three quarters, but the fourth quarter saw some fireworks as Burgettstown rallied and outslugged 10-6 in Monessen Friday night.
Monessen (1-1, 4-1) opened some eyes last week when the Greyhounds knocked off Fort Cherry. This was Burgettstown’s chance to shock the WPIAL.
“This was our ‘we’re here now’ game just like last week was Monessen’s,” Burgettstown coach Mark Druga said. “I told (Monessen coach) Wade Brown that he brought them back on to the map, for sure.”
Burgettstown (2-0, 5-0) appeared poised to score the game’s first points when Bryce Speer gathered in a Blake Neal pass and carried it 48 yards to the Monessen 12-yard line midway through the third quarter. But the Greyhound defense responded when Lydian Palmer recovered a fumbled snap, ending the Blue Devils’ march.
Monessen was able to move to the Burgettstown 39 thanks to runs of 13 and 24 yards by Kayden Kolbeck, but the Greyhounds were forced to give the ball back on downs when Kaier Payne was sacked on fourth-and-long as the third quarter melted into the fourth.
Burgettstown finally dented the scoreboard midway through the fourth as the Blue Devils drove to the Monessen 14, thanks to the churning legs of Brady Rightweiser, who gained 26 yards on the drive. Tony Bongiorni booted home a 31-yard field goal to give the Blue Devils a 3-0 lead with 6:45 to go in the contest.
Monessen responded with a clutch scoring drive. Lamont Cullen capped a 65-yard drive with a 20-yard TD catch from Payne. The two-point play failed, leaving the Greyhounds’ lead at 6-3 with only 2:30 to play.
But Burgettstown was able to seal the win on their final possession, when it scored with 28 seconds to go. Neal found Speer for 33 yards down to the Monessen 1. Two plays later, Neal punched it in for the winning points.
“That’s our quarterback,” Druga said. “Monessen got after him last year and he threw some picks. He grew a great deal since.”
Neal finished with 218 passing yards.
Monessen received the ball first and was able to navigate to the Blue Devils’ 16, but a fourth-down pass fell incomplete.
Burgettstown then went three and out and shanked a punt eight yards to their own 24. Monessen drove down to the Blue Devils’ 1, where De’mari Miles fumbled. Mike Carrozza recovered, giving Burgettstown some life midway through the first quarter.
The Blue Devils appeared to garner some momentum when Neal found Speer for 52 yards to the Monessen 48. Their drive sputtered shortly thereafter.
Monessen moved to near midfield early in the second quarter, but Carrozza again struck defensively when he intercepted a Payne pass on the Blue Devils’ 48. But the Greyhound defense stepped up again, sacking Neal to end another scoreless possession.