Belle Vernon Wins the 3A Title With Defense

Tagged under: District 12, District 3, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

Billy Splain | December 10, 2022

Aiden Johnson trots away with the prize after a goal line stand

Facing a third and one at the Belle Vernon 1, with 37 seconds remaining in the game and trailing 9-8, Neuman Goretti quarterback Mehki Wharton brought his team to the line. The snap went to Wharton and into the pile he went. Junior defensive end Aiden Johnson met the Saint signal caller in the pile, ripped the ball away and helped the Leopards capture the 2022 PIAA Class 3A title. “I was pretty excited but worried about the call, I was hoping it went our way” said Johnson of the play. “It’s just miraculous, I’m at a loss for words.”

FUMBLE!! @BVAFootball recovered by @aiden_johnson88 !! 24 seconds left. Leopards on the 2! pic.twitter.com/SUrFmYfkxi

— Pennsylvania Football News (@PaFootballNews) December 10, 2022

Belle Vernon’s defense held tough all game long, forcing three interceptions and never allowing the Saints near their goal line until that fateful game closing drive. “Our defense was ready to work each snap, we knew we had to step up” said Johnson. “It’s a collective group that nevers backed down.”

The game itself started quick, turned bizarre then it turned into a battle of defenses. On the first drive of the game Neumann Goretti was forced to punt deep in their own territory. The snap was bad and Wharton managed to push the ball 12 yards with his foot. The Quinton Martin ripped off a 22 yard run but the Leopards had to settle for a 28 yard field goal from Willie Schwerha.

“Our defense just done what it did all year. They’re stout, good agianst pass and run” said Matt Humbert of his teams effort on the field. “We were there all game, just chipping away. Then we’d get a penalty, some self inflicting wounds. We got behind the sticks. We have a knack of booby trapping ourselves” he said of the offensive struggles all game.

On the next series Martin picked off Wharton on the first play from scrimmage. The drive went nowhere and the Leopards were forced to punt. Unfortunately the snap went over the head of Schwerha and when he went back for the ball in the endzone, his foot planted and his knee gave out. Schwerha collapsed on the ground immediately, the ball laying on the ground in the endzone. Sam Hobbs picked it up for the score and he ran the two pointer in to make it 8-3 with 5:56 left in the first quarter.

It wasn’t until late in the third quarter when either of the offenses was able to mount a drive. Belle Vernon, starting at their own 39, finally put together a nice drive. Martin and QB Braden Laux carried the load for several plays, then Laux broke loose for a punishing 23 yard run to the 16. On the next play he found Martin to his left and the speedy junior ran in untouched. The point after failed leaving the score 9-8 with 28 seconds left in the third quarter.

@Team_Quinton 16 yd TD from Braden Laux, Belle Vernon 9 Neumann-Goretti 8, 0:28 3rd, @BVAFootball pic.twitter.com/jUcmZZ8D3q

— Pennsylvania Football News (@PaFootballNews) December 10, 2022

Humber said “We wanted to saturate and the goal was to get Quinton alone. That happened and we got the score.”

Of the timout before the fumble recovery: “We wanted to see what they were in. I felt relieved and excited (when Aiden came out with the ball.} I just knew they would find a way.”

“I give all the credit to our quarterback. He had that big 23 yard run and then after that our coach (Matt Humbert) knew they were going to key on Braden so I was able to sneak out of the backfield wide open for the touchdown” said Martin of the game winning drive.

For Humbert, who coached the 2021 Big 33 team to a win, “I had faith in my guys. It kinda felt like a Big 33 day. I think the best way to describe is relief. These kids fought so hard.”

For Belle Vernon, this is the first state football title in program history.

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