BETHEL PARK, Pa. — In a non-conference matchup, Central Catholic defeated Bethel Park by the score of 31-22 on Friday Night.
On the Vikings’ second drive of the game, Payton Wehner hit Jayden Thrift down the sideline for a 63-yard touchdown for the Vikings (2-1) to take a 7-0 lead.
The Black Hawks (2-1) struck right back when Tanner Pfeuffer hit Danari Clacks for a touchdown, and Austin Caye ran it in on the two-pion conversion to put the Blackhawks up 8-7.
After getting a stop on fourth down on the next drive when Pfeuffer scored on a one-yard keeper that put the Black Hawks up a one-yard keeper on a drive that extended the Black Hawks’ lead to 15-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Central Catholic got back on the board on a 24-yard field goal by Rowen Kautter to cut the Black Hawks’ lead to 15-10.
On the ensuing kickoff, Central Catholic recovered an onside kick and proceed to run the ball right down the field on a 35-yard drive capped off by a two-yard touchdown keeper by Wehner to help the Vikings retake the lead 17-15.
On Bethel Park’s next possession Central Catholic’s Bradley Gompers intercepted a pass from Pfeuffer and returned it 47 yards for a pick-six to put the Vikings 24-15, and that was the score at halftime.
Bethel Park had chances in the first half to score however untimely penalties, a missed field goal, and the interception for a touchdown led to Central Catholic taking over the momentum.
Pfeuffer had 174 yards passing in the first half, while Wehner had 144 yards passing.
In the third quarter, Bethel Park cut the lead to two when Pfeuffer scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a one-yard quarterback keeper on a drive where Pfeuffer completed a 25-yard pass on a 3rd and six to tight end Austin Currie.
Central Catholic led 24-22 at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Bethel Park came up with a big stop on downs only to have Kaye fumble the ball at the Vikings’ 35-yard line.
On the ensuing drive, Wehner connected on a 49-yard touchdown to Gavin Stanek to put the Vikings up 31-22.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic will host Mt. Lebanon next Friday, while Bethel Park will travel to Canon-McMillan next Friday night.
