TURTLE CREEK, Pa. — Westinghouse and Beaver both have high aspirations when it comes to the 2024 football season. Westinghouse has its eyes set not only on making a run to the PIAA single-A championship but winning it all. A Class 3A WPIAL title is on the minds of the Beaver Bobcats and then some.
The two squared off in the KDKA Kickoff Classic finale at the Wolvarena, looking to get a confidence-boosting win to start the season and it was Beaver that held on, 28-26, over Westinghouse.
Beaver senior wide receiver Amari Jackson — a Villanova commit — turned in a key performance, hauling in five receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown, along with a rushing score and most importantly, a clutch interception to seal the deal.
Clinging to a two-point lead, Beaver was back on its heels with Westinghouse pushing towards the end zone. The Bobcats forced a final-gasp fourth down as Bulldogs quarterback Khalil Green let it go towards a receiver in the end zone, but there was Jackson stepping in front for the critical pick.
Amari Jackson with the clutch interception in the end zone.
That pretty much seals it unless Westinghouse can shut down Beaver’s run game.
The final matchup of a five-game slate in Turtle Creek started with a bang. It was instant gratification for Westinghouse as sophomore K’shawn Hawkins gathered the opening kick at the five-yard line and weaved his way through the two teams as he raced 95 yards to put Westinghouse on the board.
As Westinghouse looked to build on its fast start, senior Lloyd Penn made an immediate impact on defense that eventually turned into offense.
Within the 10, Beaver quarterback Travis Clear fired into the end zone, but Penn stepped in to intercept the ball, taking it up near midfield. A few plays later, Penn was on the receiving end of an excellent throw from Khalil Green for a 31-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs were off and running with a 12-0 lead.
Touchdown Westinghouse:
A nice ball from Khalil Green but an even better effort from Lloyd Penn to bring in the catch for 31 yards. pic.twitter.com/6h809qkABl
However, it was the balanced offense of the Beaver Bobcats that picked up yards and moved inside the 10 yet again. This time, senior Qualan Cain received the handoff and charged seven yards into the end zone to cut into the Bulldogs lead.
With Beaver on the board, the Bobcats were getting key plays in all facets, including special teams as they blocked a Westinghouse punt, allowing them to establish field position at the Bulldog 13. Soon thereafter, Clear threw a six-yard strike to his trustee senior wide receiver and Villanova commit Amari Jackson.
Westinghouse needed a big pick up and Green turned to Penn for the second time. It was a quick screen that worked out to perfection as Penn motored to the end zone for a 30-yard score to put Westinghouse back in front, 18-14.
That lead was short-lived, however, as Beaver doubled up in a matter of minutes. Following a six-yard touchdown from Drey Hall, the Bobcats tried for an onside kick and it was successfully recovered. With limited time to work but in solid starting field position, Beaver drove quickly as superb senior athlete Brady Mayo went up and grabbed a 31-yard jump ball. That play gave way to a one-yard direct snap and score for Jackson to give the Bobcats a 28-18 advantage.
In the second half, Westinghouse desperately needed a break as the Bobcats were moving the ball efficiently down the field. The Bulldogs received that help as Cain put the ball on the ground and the Bulldogs recovered.
Green got back to work dialing up a rainbow toss to Hawkins, who was found wide open as he completed the 52-yard play into plus territory. Two plays later, senior running back Khalil Mitchell carried it in for a score to bring the game back within striking distance at 28-26.
Down by two, Westinghouse had one last opportunity. With less than four minutes on the clock, Green dropped back at the 19-yard line and delivered a pass to the end zone. With quick instincts, Jackson turned and captured the game-winning interception.
The Bobcats (1-0) will take on Blackhawk next week at home, while Westinghouse (0-1) faces Linsly (W.Va) at home.
