Belle Vernon to play in State Championship for the first time

Tagged under: District 7, News, Playoffs, Podcasts

Nate Grella | December 9, 2022

Belle Vernon Leopards

Head Coach Matt Humbert

From the outside looking in, one would assume it’s been the Quinton Martin show for Leopards this season. Last week proved that is not necessarily the case. The Central Dragons shut down the Leopards star runner in the PIAA 3A semifinals, meaning the Leopards would have to rely on a group effort to take down the Dragons.

Braden Laux was the reason the Leopards scored their two offensive TDs against Central. A long run in the first half gave the Leopards a two touchdown lead, and a long run in the second half set up the Leps on the goal line to go ahead.

It looks like Laux will get a familiar back in the passing game to add one more talent to an already fast wideout group. Evan Pohlot, who went out with an injury in Week 7, looks to be returning.

The Leopards may have dodged a bullet when their opponent in the PIAA championship, Neumann Goretti, shocked the state with a last second touchdown against Wyomissing. The Spartans, known for their strong line play throughout the year, could have created problems against an undersized Leopards rushing attack.

The Leopards COULD have their hands full in the running game. While Belle Vernon has Quinton Martin, the Saints have Boston College commit Shawn Battle. The Senior leads the team with 916 yards. Unfortunately for the Saints, a Personal Foul call at the end of the game will keep the talented runner out of the game.

For the Leopards and the Saints, it’s the first time they have played in the state championship. Expect a high-scoring game between two of the fastest and athletic teams in the entire state.

How they got there:

2022 Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME/SCORE
08-20	vs. Gateway (SCR)		10:00 am
08-26	vs. Franklin Regional (SCR)		6:00 pm
09-02	vs. Laurel Highlands (8-3)		W 41-20
09-09	@ McKeesport (11-2)		L 6-14
09-16	vs. Penn-Trafford (6-5)		L 13-14
09-23	@ Thomas Jefferson (8-4)		W 21-7
09-30	vs. South Allegheny (1-9) *		W 50-0
10-07	@ Greensburg-Salem (4-6) *		W 51-7
10-14	vs. Mount Pleasant (6-5) *		W 55-7
10-21	vs. Southmoreland (4-7) *		W 48-0
10-28	@ Elizabeth-Forward (9-2) *		W 48-14
11-11	vs. East Allegheny (8-4) (P)		W 55-7
11-18	vs. Freeport (10-2) (SP)	Gateway HS	W 42-0
11-25	vs. Avonworth (11-2) (P)	Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh, PA)	W 24-7
12-02	@ Central (12-3) (SP)	Central Cambria HS	W 21-17
12-10	vs. Neumann-Goretti (11-3) (SP)	Chapman Field (Mechanicsburg)	1:00 pm

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