News

In a battle of Hall of Fame Coaches, West Allegheny’s Bob Palko got the best of Upper St. Clair’s Jim Render as the Indians went on the road to defeat the Panthers in Section 1-5A play Friday night, 29-12.

West Allegheny rebounded in a strong way from its first loss of the season last week to Peters Township, scoring 17 points in the first quarter. By halftime, the Indians held a 23-0 lead.

The Indians opened the scoring with a 39-yard touchdown pass from junior Kam Kruze to senior Dante Flati. Senior John McArdle tacked on the extra point for one of his five points in the first quarter. He also connected on a 24-yard field goal to make it 10-0 before converting on another extra point.

Kruze through his second touchdown pass of the quarter, this time a 60-yard strike to senior tight end Mateo Vandamia. Kruze accounted for his third touchdown of the half in the second quarter, this time running it in from a yeard out for the 23-0 halftime lead.

Kruze finished the night with his second 1-yard rushing touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter. Kruze finished 6 of 7 passing for 144 yards and two touchdowns to go along with his two rushing scores.

Upper St. Clair received two fourth quarter touchdown passes from senior Jason Sweeney. Junior Brandon Shearer and senior Chris Pantellis were on the receiving ends.

The win put both teams in a tie for first place in the section with identical 3-1 marks in the section. West Allegheny will look to keep it rolling next Friday with a home section game at 7 p.m. against Woodland Hills (1-4, 1-3 Section 1-5A).

Upper St. Clair will have to rebound from its first loss of the season with a non-section game next Friday at 7 p.m. at Fox Chapel.