Mt. Lebanon defeats Bethel Park 19-16 in OT thriller (gallery included)
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Ethan Spozarski | September 2, 2023
On Friday night, The Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils defeated the Bethel Park Blackhawks 19-16 in overtime.
This game had a great defensive presence for both teams starting when we went scoreless through one quarter.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER @BPHawksfootball 0@mtlebofootball 0@PaFootballNews
— Ethan Spozarski (@SpozarskiEthan) September 1, 2023
Fred LaSota would break that streak with the first touchdown of the game with 3 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
There we go first points of the game goes to @mtlebofootball with a touchdown run Fred LaSota @mtlebofootball 6@BPHawksfootball 0@PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/21pu3fPPhF
— Ethan Spozarski (@SpozarskiEthan) September 2, 2023
And with only seconds remaining both teams had a chance with the ball resulting in punts, however multi-positioned Ryan Petras would return a 54-yard punt return with no time remaining giving Bethel Park the lead at halftime.
On the Blue Devils first possession of the second half, it would be cut short with a huge forced fumble and fumble recovery by Christian Davis.
No. 23 Christian Davis with a forced fumble gives Bethel Park the ball with 09:13 left of the 3rd quarter! @BPHawksfootball @PaFootballNews
— Ethan Spozarski (@SpozarskiEthan) September 2, 2023
Bethel then had a fumble forced by Ezra Heidenreich of their own on the following possession.
No. 10 Ezra Heidenreich forces a fumble on Bethel Park and has the ball on their own 35 yard line with 08:24 left to play of the third quarter! @mtlebofootball @PaFootballNews
— Ethan Spozarski (@SpozarskiEthan) September 2, 2023
Following that turnover, Bethel returned the favor with another interception from Jake Bruckner.
No. 10 Jake Bruckner with an interception puts Bethel Park on Mount Lebanon’s 29 yard line! @BPHawksfootball @PaFootballNews
— Ethan Spozarski (@SpozarskiEthan) September 2, 2023
And through all of that no one would score in the third quarter however that would change early in the fourth.
No. 5 Beckham Dee rushes in for six for @mtlebofootball from two yards out. Extra point is good. 13-7 Mt. Lebo! @PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard
— Ethan Spozarski (@SpozarskiEthan) September 2, 2023
Mt. Lebo would even intercept a pass again on defense, however the Blue Devils would stall out giving the Blackhawks one more life in the game.
Ryan Petras ties the game with a TD for @BPHawksfootball
Unfortunately the extra point misses and we are tied at 13 with 48 seconds to play! @PaFootballNews— Ethan Spozarski (@SpozarskiEthan) September 2, 2023
Petras would then step up again as he scored the second of two touchdowns that Bethel Park would score on the night. With 48-seconds left with the game winning extra point on the tee and the ball would bounce off the upright, leaving the game tied with less than a minute remaining in regulation.
Ryan Petras ties the game with a TD for @BPHawksfootball
Unfortunately the extra point misses and we are tied at 13 with 48 seconds to play! @PaFootballNews— Ethan Spozarski (@SpozarskiEthan) September 2, 2023
Bethel would win the toss and begin their offensive drive first from the 10-yard line. Bethel would be forced to settle for a field goal to take the lead at 16-13, however the Blue Devils would score on their down play with the winning pass going to wide receiver Noah Schaerli.
POSTGAME INTERVIEW with Noah Schaerli! @BPHawksfootball @mtlebofootball @gingeryinzer09 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/0xbl3y4m0o
— Ethan Spozarski (@SpozarskiEthan) September 2, 2023
The Blackhawks fall to 1-1 in the early season and will face the dominant Central Catholic Vikings, while the 2-0 Blue Devils will host Moon next Friday.
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