Mt. Lebanon Clinches Playoff Berth with 31-0 Shutout over Canon McMillan
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Nate Grella | October 29, 2022
They knew they needed to win to get in. That was enough, but Mt. Lebanon did it in style, shutting out Canon Mac at home 31-0.
Heading into Friday night’s Week 9 matchup, the path was clear. If Mt.Lebanon won, they were in no matter what. If they lost, they were out. For the Big Macs, a loss wouldn’t necessarily cause elimination, but would need Seneca Valley to lose to North Allegheny.
Canon Mac would be without their workhorse QB Mikey Evans on the night, and would have to rely on backup Ben Urso. The game looked promising early, as Urso and RB Jake Kasper moved the Big Macs on the field on the opening drive, however a 4th down goal line stand kept Canon off of the scoreboard.
Big Macs opening drive COMES UP EMPTY ON THE GOAL LINE 0-0 6 minutes left in the 1st quarter @mtlebofootball @PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard @FydSports pic.twitter.com/BLHqjwNIJu
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) October 28, 2022
Three plays later, the game broke open. A 79 yard flea flicker from David Shields to Michael Beiersdorf put the Blue Devils up. They never looked back.
On the following Canon Mac drive, the Mt.Lebanon defense came up big once again. A pass from Urso to Kasper would be bobbled and caught by Fred Lasota and taken to the house. With over four minutes left in the first quarter, the Big Macs already had a two score deficit.
INSANE PICK SIX @FredLasota gathers up the loose change and @mtlebofootball takes a 14-0 lead with 3:11 left in the first quarter @PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard @FydSports pic.twitter.com/mF6DNkFFlB
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) October 28, 2022
The Big Macs would crack the 30 yard line on their next two offensive drives in the half, but came up empty on both. The first stalling at the Lebo 25, and the second on the 15.
In the second half, the bounces kept coming for the Blue Devils. After a three and out on the opening defensive drive for the Big Macs, Mt Lebanon forced a fumble on the punt return. Senior Cole Markel picked up the ball and ran it back into the endzone.
From that point on, the Lebo defense took over, not allowing the Big Macs past their own 40 yard line for the remainder of the game. The Blue Devils added to their lead in the 4th quarter with a Field goal and a 52 yard rush from Nathan Sala to put the final at 31-0.
Despite the shutout, the Big Macs are still playoff bound. Due to a Seneca Valley loss, the Big Macs will squeak into the playoffs for a rematch with North Allegheny. Mt. Lebanon will rematch with Central Catholic next Friday.
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