The Funding Zone
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
 

McKeesport moves past Laurel Highlands to stay in reach of conference title 42-7 (GALLERY) @McKTigers @BruceDavidson37

Tagged under: District 7, News

| October 16, 2021


By: Bruce Davidson

For the first two weeks of October the McKeesport Tigers had not yielded a single point to any opponent. Following consecutive 41-0 wins over Ringgold and West Mifflin they looked to pitch another shutout Friday night and spoil the Laurel Highlands Mustang Senior night.

Early in the game each side was gauging the other one out until Tigers Senior QB Caleb Reist punched in a designed keeper to put McKeesport up 7-0.

Late in the first quarter Laurel Highlands was marching for a tie when Rodney Gallagher was picked off by Junior defender Jahmil Perryman. Through 15 minutes the Mustangs trailed 7-0 at home but were still very much alive.

Close to halfway through quarter number two McKeesport Junior RB Bobbie Boyd would not be denied. His TD run extended the Tigers lead to 13-0 with 7:15 to play till halftime. This was as close as the game was the remainder of the night.

Nearly three minutes later Senior QB Jacob Miller scrambled 14 yards for a TD and completed a pass to Boyd for the 2-point conversion. McKeesport led 21-0 with just under four minutes to play in the second quarter.

Right before both teams went to the locker room Tigers Senior WR Dennis Jackson grabbed a 44-yard TD pass with 13 seconds left on the clock.

At the break it was McKeesport 28, Laurel Highlands 0. The Tigers were a perfect ten for ten quarters of shutout October football.

McKeesport received the second half kickoff and after three touchdowns in the second quarter they weren’t done. Senior RB Kenneth Thompson capped the first Tiger drive of the third quarter with a 23-yard TD run.

With 8:11 in the third quarter on the clock, it was 35-0 in favor of McKeesport, and the running clock was instituted.

The rest of the third quarter quickly passed by. The last points posted against the Tigers was 13 quarters ago when Trinity scored their final touchdown of a 49-14 McKeesport win on Sep. 24.

On a night honoring their Seniors, it was Laurel Highlands Junior QB providing the lone bright spot for the Mustangs. With 8:47 to play Rodney Gallagher broke the shutout on a 1-yd TD rush.

McKeesport added back to their lead with about six minutes to play when Jacob Miller leaned forward for his second touchdown of the game.

At the final bell for the brand new Mustang Field this season it was McKeesport in full control with a 42-7 win.

Despite a lopsided result, Tigers Junior Bobbie Boyd doesn’t believe McKeesport looked past Laurel Highlands one bit before kickoff.

“We didn’t underestimate them no matter the record,” Boyd said. “We just came out and played how we’re supposed to from start to finish on every play.”

Friday’s game being the first of three-straight against potential playoff teams, with a clash coming up against Thomas Jefferson Boyd detailed one aspect the Tigers could’ve done without.

“Penalties,” Boyd said. “We gave up a lot of yards off penalties, we got to work on that and continue to not underestimate anyone and make every play.”

Next Friday Laurel Highlands travels to Trinity (2-6, 1-3) for the first of two road games to end the season. McKeesport has their final home game of the regular season against Thomas Jefferson (5-1, 3-1). A Tigers win would set up a likely undefeated Big Eight Conference season finale showdown at Belle Vernon in two weeks

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
GoRout
 
Rainbow Lettering
 
Turf Tank
 
x