IMPERIAL, Pa. — The Westinghouse Bulldogs stifled the Beaver Falls Tigers 28-8 on Friday, advancing to their second state title game in as many years with a dominant defensive performance.
After both teams traded explosive scoring drives in the first quarter, the game looked bound for a shootout. Instead, Westinghouse’s defense shut the Tigers out down the stretch, working four fourth-down stops in the process.
Bulldogs’ defensive back Lloyd Penn set the tone on the opening drive, stopping the Tigers on fourth down with a pass breakup.
Westinghouse quarterback Khalil Green responded with a flourish, finding K’shawn Hawkins for a 50-yard pass that set up Ty Abrams’ three-yard touchdown carry. Abrams added a two-point conversion, giving the Bulldogs an 8-0 lead.
The Tigers wasted no time responding, as quarterback Kadin Brickner uncorked a 43-yard touchdown pass to Michael Blackshear. Da’Talian Beauford, who the Bulldogs struggled to corral all night, ran for the game-tying two-point try.
Westinghouse Defense Takes Over
After another fourth-down stop from his defense, Green bobbed and weaved for a 29-yard carry to put the Bulldogs up 15-7 with three minutes to go in the first half.
Tigers’ receiver Za’Saun McElvy returned the ensuing kickoff to the Bulldogs’ 30-yard line. Penn broke up another pass on third-and-goal and Michael Richardson blew up the Tigers’ line on a fourth-down sack late in the frame.
Green lost the ball on a sack early in the third quarter. After the referees initially ruled him down by contact, they overturned the call to give the Tigers the ball in plus territory. Westinghouse responded with their fourth fourth-down stop of the game, standing tall at their own 5-yard line.
The Bulldogs took control of the game with a long drive to open the fourth quarter. Green flipped a jump ball to Hawkins in the right corner of the end zone, and the freshman receiver tipped it up in the air and then corralled it as he went to the ground for a 12-yard touchdown.
Richardson earned a strip sack less than a minute later, and Josiah Collins returned it for a 28-8 lead.
Bulldogs Face Southern Columbia Again
Westinghouse advances to face the Southern Columbia Tigers, last year’s state champions, at Cumberland Valley High School in the 2A PIAA State Championship Game. The title match will kick off at 1 pm on Friday, December 8.
GO BULLDOGS GO!!