Headin’ to Heinz, Moon tops Penn Hills @phqbclub @Moon_Football @MoonTigersAD

Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News

Shane Lux | November 20, 2021

Wexford – Moon punched their ticket to Heinz Field with a 14-9 win over Penn Hills Friday night at North Allegheny High School.

“We can finally say we’re going to Heinz Field next week,” said Moon head coach Ryan Linn. “I’ve tried not to talk about it. All things we’ve wanted to say all year, we can finally say.”

The Tigers’ defense played stout throughout the night, and the offense did just enough to earn the victory.

“Our defense makes plays when they have to,” Linn. “I can’t say enough about our defensive staff. They were ready to play.”

Moon gained a modest 232 yards of total offense, but a special team’s play helped set up the game’s first score.

Penn Hills opened the second half with back-to-back false start penalties on fourth down.

On their attempt, a bad snap resulted in a 38-yard loss the gave the Tigers the ball at the Indians 16-yard line.

Moon took advantage of the short field and scored on Dylan Sleva’s 7-yard run.

@Moon_Football Dylan Selva 7 yd run, Moon 7 Penn Hills 0, 9:45 2nd, @AJWPIAL pic.twitter.com/zqIL1ZXgZZ

— Shane Lux (@PFN_Luxy) November 20, 2021

Penn Hills responded in time on Charlie Rosemeyer’s 43-yard field goal with 1:24 to play in the first half.

The Tigers were able to get into field goal range right before the half.

However, Jacob Wieland’s 42-yard field goal attempt as time expired came up short.

Brandon Weaver then intercepted Indian quarterback Julian Dugger.

On the next play, Jeremiah Miller ran 59 yards giving the Tigers a 14-3 lead.

“We were talking about that in the locker room,” said Linn. “We felt like with the defense they were showing, that might be able to pop one. Sue enough er did, and that was huge.”

That was one of three interceptions thrown by Dugger, who completed 9-of-18 passes for 58 yards.

“We were a play away tonight,” said Penn Hills head coach Jon LeDonne. “Penalties and the punt snap giving them the ball in the red zone hurt us. They’re a geat, and they did not make mistakes tonight.”

Thanks to the long run, Dean rushed for a game-high 101 yards on eight carries. Selva rushed 15 times for 62 yards, while Ben Bladel chipped in with 54 yards on seven attempts.

Penn Hills’ offense finally came to life in the third quarter as Amir Key ran 67 yards to the Tigers 4-yard line.

Two plays layer. Jaimere Brown scored on a 1-yard run late in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 14-9 after a failed conversion.

@phqbclub Jaimere Brown 1 yd run, Moon 14 Penn Hills 9, 1:34 3rd, @AJWPIAL pic.twitter.com/qGHA3z9bWe

— Shane Lux (@PFN_Luxy) November 20, 2021

“I knew defenses on both sides of the ball were going to dominate the game,” said LeDonne. “Outside of each team’s long run, there wasn’t much offense. My hats off to Moon and what they did defensively to contain our athletes.”

Key rushed for 83 yards on nine carries to lead Penn Hills.

Penn Hills had a chance to win the game as they took over possession at the Tigers 48-yard line with just over three minutes remaining.

The Indians would pick up a first down before Caden Newhouse intercepted Dugger with 2:08 to play at the Tigers’ 16-yard line.

Penn Hills concludes their season at 8-4.

“We have improved since our first game of the year is what I’m most proud of,” LeDonne concluded. “A lot of our seniors were first-year starters, and they played their buts off tonight. I’m proud of their effort.”

Moon will now attempt to win their first WPIAL Title since 1998.

Game Highlights:

Moon 14 Penn Hills 9

Score by Quarters

Penn Hills – 0 3 6 0 – 9
Moon – 0 7 7 0 – 14

Scoring Summary

Second Quarter

M – Dylan Selva 7 yd run, (Jacob Wieland pat), 9:45

PH – Charlie Rosemeyer 43 yd field goal, 1:24

Third Quater

M – Jeremiah Dean 59 yd run, (Wieland pat), 10:24

PH – Jaimere Brown 1 yd run, (rush failed), 1:34

Individual Stats

Rushing: Penn Hills – Julian Dugger 17-39, Amir Key 9-83, Jaimere Brown 3-16, Amir Rollins 1-2, Jaden Dugger 1-11, Team 1-(-38). Totals: 32-113. Moon – Selva 15-62, Ben Bladel 7-54, Jeremiah Dean 8-101, Ian Foster 2-1, Joe Cotton 1-(-2), Tyler McGowen 3-(-5), Team 2-0. Totals: 38-211.

Receiving: Penn Hills – Jaden Dugger 4-24, Key 1-16, Brendan Hill 1-5, Cameron Thomas 1-4, Chase Barney 1-5, Raion Strader 1-4. Moon – Bladel 1-2, Sleva 1-8, Taite Beachy 1-11.

Passing: Penn Hills – Julian Dugger 9-for-18, 58 yards, 3 interceptions. Moon – McGowen 3-for-8, 21 yards, 1 interception.

Interceptions: Penn Hills – Raion Strader. Moon – Ian Foster, Brandon Weaver, Caden Newhouse.

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