MONACA, Pa. — In a congested top half of the Western Hills Conference in the WPIAL 3A classification, Central Valley and North Catholic went to battle in hopes of gaining an edge over one another and secure its third conference win.
It was the first meeting between Central Valley and North Catholic since the 2021 Class 3A WPIAL title game in which the Warriors took home gold and that trend continued for the blue and white as they defeated the Trojans, 46-38, at Sarge Alberts Stadium.
The Warriors (3-4, 3-1) offense ran through running back Mason Dixon, who put a career night together as he tore through the Trojans defense one big play after another. The senior compiled 25 carries for 284 yards and four touchdowns.
Quarterback Steven Rutherford completed 7-of-12 through the air for 102 yards and a touchdown, while adding two more scores on the ground to go along with 53 rushing yards.
It was a chaotic first quarter between the Warriors and Trojans with neither defense having answers for either big-play offenses.
On its first drive, Central Valley’s Rutherford spread the ball around through the air, while mixing in a solid dose of Dixon on the ground. That set up for the Warriors’ first score of the game as Rutherford went with the play action that led to a connection with senior wide out Kole Hiltz, who took it in for the 15-yard touchdown.
North Catholic junior signal caller Joey Felitsky was back in under center after dealing with an injury that sidelined him for the Trojans’ matchup the previous week with Imani Christian Academy. There were no lingering signs of an injury as Felitsky looked mobile throughout the contest.
After the initial Central Valley score, Felitsky made quick work and found running back Logan Schade out of the backfield as he picked up a flurry of blockers, giving way to a 49-yard equalizing touchdown.
In a blink of an eye, the Warriors were back in the end zone. A 50-yard double reverse play set up the Warriors at the North Catholic 10. Dixon then received the handoff and dashed for the 10-yard score, responding in a mere 40 seconds on two plays to take back control, 14-7.
As quickly as the Warriors jumped back in front, the Trojans found a way to work 80 yards on four plays in 1 minute, 16 seconds. Felitsky aired it out as Tom Arth — last week’s Trojan quarterback — pulled it in after fighting through contact. He raced in to complete the 60-yard touchdown reception.
After a wild first five drives, Central Valley looked to slow down the pace of play with Dixon on the ground. However, he continued to take off for big chunks, including a 70-yard rumble that saw him weaving through the Trojan defense. Dixon capped off the touchdown drive on a 2-yard toss play to make it 21-14.
Dixon continued to do damage on the ground midway through the second quarter as on the second play. On the second play of the Warriors drive, Dixon received the handoff, turned on the jets through the right side of the line and flew for a 50-yard touchdown run to make it 27-17.
Central Valley would transition its strong ground approach into the second half with Dixon picking up more yards to establish a first-and-10 from the North Catholic 24. This time, Rutherford kept it and took off to his right, picked up a block and dove into the end zone for the Warriors to extend their lead, 34-17.
North Catholic needing to find a stop, shut down the Warriors on their next offensive series. The Trojans then took four minutes to navigate downfield before Felitsky dialed up a pass on to Ryker Kennedy on the post route for the 21-yard touchdown connection.
While North Catholic once again cut into the deficit, Central Valley punched back. After a sizable Dixon pickup on the ground, Rutherford went play action and found his tight end Ethan Shearer, who released after setting a block. A 36-yard play then allowed for Rutherford to sneak it into the end zone from three yards out to make it 40-24.
The Trojans would bring it within a one score game for the first time since the second quarter as Felitsky used his legs to get close to the goal line and set up an eventual one-yard Arth keeper. Felitsky would then find Arth on the two-point conversion to make it 40-32 with 8:39 to go in the fourth quarter.
All the Trojans needed to do was shut down Dixon in order to set up one last drive to even the score, but Dixon had other plans as he came up with a clutch 27-yard touchdown run to virtually put it out of reach.
Felitsky completed 33-of-47 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns. Kennedy led the Trojans receivers with 12 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.
Central Valley will continue conference play on the road against Quaker Valley next Friday. The Trojans will return home against Beaver looking to snap their two-game skid.