Belle Vernon wins Back-to-Back in their Win Over Northwestern Leigh
Tagged under: District 7, Playoffs
Mason Eddinger | December 9, 2023
The Belle Vernon Leopards walked into Cumberland Valley looking to win Back-to-Back PIAA Class 3A titles, and they did just that taking down a tough Northwestern Lehigh team 38-7 to win the PIAA Class 3A title.
Both teams would have loved to get off to a great start in a state title game, and Belle Vernon got the best start they can ask for.
Anthony Crews took the opening Belle Vernon kickoff to the house and the Leopards pounced out to an early 7-0 lead just 13 seconds into the game.
Belle Vermon 71yd opening kickoff return Anthony Crews 7-0 pic.twitter.com/uUoalq2d2U
— Pennsylvania Football News (@PaFootballNews) December 9, 2023
It was a dream start for Belle Vernon, as the whole game they were able to play from in front and control the game right from the jump.
All was smooth and Belle Vernon had jumped out a 14-0 lead into the first quarter when Anthony Crews dropped the ball, picked it up and raced 62 yards to pay dirt. Northwestern Leigh had their first momentum of the game and were driving down 14. It was fourth and goal at the 1 and the Belle Vernon Leopards defense got a huge stop to keep the Northwestern Leigh tigers at 0.
A Braden Laux sneak and it was 21-0 just a few minutes before the half. Northwestern Leigh did find the endzone to make the game a little more interesting going into the half at 21-7.
The PSU commit Quinton Martin made his mark on this game with a 92-yard TD run to make it 28-7.
Belle Vermon 71yd opening kickoff return Anthony Crews 7-0 pic.twitter.com/uUoalq2d2U
— Pennsylvania Football News (@PaFootballNews) December 9, 2023
The Leopards do it again. Coach Matt Humbert gave a lot of credit to the offensive line for the win and their ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. The speed and playmakers for Belle Vernon were too much to handle and Northwestern Leigh was outmatched from the jump. Big plays set the tone for Belle Vernon in this game. The opening kickoff and the 92-yard Martin run were 2 of the 50+ plays in this game.
The defensive line got pressure all day and Northwestern Leigh had trouble getting anything going.
Anthony Crews was electric today and had huge plays for Belle Vernon that got them this win.
The Belle Vernon Leopards, are champions once again.
Game Highlights:
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