Leopards’ big plays bury Tigers, 46-14
Ed Thompson
Belle Vernon无毛视频檚 Quinton Martin races to the end zone on a 64-yard touchdown run against McKeesport in Friday night无毛视频檚 game at James Weir Stadium.
Belle Vernon's Devin Whitlock jumps into the fence to celebrate a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown against McKeesport to open the scoring in Friday night's game at James Weir Stadium.
Belle Vernon's Jake Gedekoh (10) tackles McKeesport's Bobbie Boyd (12) during Friday night's game at James Weir Stadium.
Belle Vernon's Steve Macheska gives head coach Matt Humbert a Gatorade shower after the Leopards wrapped up an undefeated regular season and the Big Eight Conference championship with a victory over McKeesport Friday night.
BELLE VERNON 无毛视频� Big plays were the name of the game Friday night for Belle Vernon as it raced to a 46-14 win over McKeesport to clinch the Class 4A Big Eight Conference championship.
The Leopards (6-0, 8-0), led by Devin Whitlock and Quinton Martin, scored five touchdowns of 43 yards or longer and the outcome was never in doubt, but Belle Vernon head coach Matt Humbert was even more impressed with the play of his defense.
无毛视频淲e had some electrifying plays on offense as Devin did his thing and Q (Quinton Martin) made plays, but the story of the game was defense, defense, defense,无毛视频� said Humbert of the effort led by defensive coordinator Brett Berish. 无毛视频淭he extra week of preparation was key along with good coaching. We expect our defense to operate that way.无毛视频�
Humbert said the opening moments of the game could not have been scripted any better.
无毛视频淭he whole week, we said let无毛视频檚 set the tone early and not let them be successful on the first drive,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淲e set the tone early.无毛视频�
Cole Weightman, Jake Gedekoh and Logan Hoffman led Belle Vernon with eight tackles each as it limited McKeesport (8-2, 5-1) to 180 yards on 56 plays while gaining 282 yards on only 35 plays.
Offensively, Whitlock showcased his skills on Senior Night as he accounted for five total touchdowns, starting with a 70-yard punt return for a score with 10:01 left in the first quarter, after Belle Vernon held McKeesport to a three-and-out on the first drive of the game.
无毛视频淭he defense was the catalyst and Devin had his return,无毛视频� Humbert said.
无毛视频淲e gave them a three-and-out and I无毛视频檓 ready to take it to the house every time I touch the ball,无毛视频� said the senior dynamo.
Whitlock also ran for scores from 58 yards and three yards while passing for two more scores, one from 16 yards and the other from 43.
无毛视频淭he line did a great job of blocking, and my teammates did a great job of getting open,无毛视频� Whitlock said.
Not to be outdone, Martin rushed for 194 yards and two scores, from 54 yards and 64 yards, to go along with an interception that he returned 25 yards.
无毛视频淎ll of those big offensive plays, they all start with the offensive line,无毛视频� the sophomore said. 无毛视频淲e are tight as a team but have to keep working on our assignments and working together at all times.无毛视频�
Up 7-0, Martin got in on the big-play action next. After a McKeesport punt, he went 59 yards on Belle Vernon无毛视频檚 second offensive play of the game to give the hosts a 13-0 lead with 6:10 left in the first.
At that point, Belle Vernon had run two plays to McKeesport无毛视频檚 10.
After the teams exchanged turnovers and McKeesport punted again, Whitlock hit Chase Ruokonen with a 16-yard scoring strike with seven minutes left in the half.
Belle Vernon无毛视频檚 Reiley Wiant then recovered a McKeesport fumble and Whitlock hit Jake Gedekoh with a 43-yard scoring strike on the next play after scrambling out of trouble.
The Tigers finally got on the board with 2:58 to play in the half when Bobbie Boyd scored from 25 yards out.
Two plays later, Whitlock scored from 58 yards out to give the Leps a 32-7 lead at the half.
Belle Vernon gained 210 yards in the first half on only 14 plays while limiting McKeesport to 122 yards on 39 plays.
Whitlock had a three-yard score in the third and Boyd scored McKeesport无毛视频檚 last touchdown on a nine-yard fumble return before Martin closed the scoring with a 64-yard touchdown midway through the fourth.
The win clinched Belle Vernon无毛视频檚 third conference title under Humbert in his seven years as head coach and while he spoke about the title, he said the team wants more.
无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 not the goal but it is a little special,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淲e have had a tough schedule these kids have been through and have had some awesome games with high attendance here at 无毛视频楾he Beach.无毛视频�
无毛视频淭his is a nice end of the regular season; I无毛视频檓 proud of the kids and now we have to get it going.无毛视频�
The WPIAL released its playoff pairings Saturday night. The Leopards were the No. 1 seed in Class 4A, as expected, and have a first-round bye.