With great second half effort, McKeesport defeats Montour 28-14

Tagged under: District 7, Game Photos, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

Joey Chirillo | November 18, 2023

Written by: Dean Shazer

McKeesport defeats Montour and punches their ticket to the 4A WPIAL Championship On Friday night McKeesport defeated Montour 28-14.

The game had a slow start with a few missed opportunities and a big Montour stop on the goal line that forced a fumble on Keith Spell of McKeesport. However, McKeesport and Spell would persevere as they scored the first touchdown of the game. It was Keith Spell from thirteen yards out to give McKeesport a 7-0 lead with four minutes left in the first quarter.

Near the end of the first half, Montour forced a McKeesport punt, but the punt pinned Montour on their own one-yard line. Montour in a moment of adversity dashed through. It was Daniel Batch on third down and ten with an eighty-eight yard touchdown catch and run. Jake Wolfe hit Batch on a slant and Montour tied the game with 2:25 left in the first half.

This would be the final score of the half as Montour had another chance to score but missed a 47-yard field goal. McKeesport also tried to Chuck one up but James Bundridge of Montour intercepted it before half. That was his second interception of the game. His first came in the middle of the second quarter on a McKeesport fourth down.

Montour answers with a slant and a few broken tackles on an 88-yard catch and run touchdown from Daniel Batch!
The xpt is Good and this game is tied. @MontourFootball 7@McKTigersFB 7

2:25 in the first half. @PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/S8lSdY1gXu

— Dean Shazer — the son (@DeanShazer2) November 18, 2023

HALFTIME:

Montour 7

McKeesport 7

On the opening drive for both teams in the second half, they both resulted in turnovers.

Corresponding turnovers by both teams. At first it was Daniel Batch and Bundridge of @MontourFootball and then it was #4 Ricky Beermann of @McKTigersFB . At the end of his return it is a personal foul on McKeesport.
8:20 left in Q3@PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/Veew0ErosR

— Dean Shazer — the son (@DeanShazer2) November 18, 2023

On both drives after turnovers, both resulted in touchdowns. For McKeesport it was Spell with a fifteen yard rush for his second touchdown of the game. For Montour it was Keino Fitzpatrick II with a twenty-nine yard rushing touchdown and his first of the game. With 3:51 left in the third quarter, McKeesport once again had possession.

Keith Spell scores his second rushing touchdown of the game for @McKTigersFB. From 15 yards out they take the lead over @MontourFootball 14-7.
5:22 left in Q3. @PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/C6IQVGyQfB

— Dean Shazer — the son (@DeanShazer2) November 18, 2023

McKeesport ended up capitalizing for consecutive touchdown drives. This time around it was the other Spell, #20 Kemon Spell scored on a fifty-seven yard rush to give McKeesport the 21-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

McKeesport hammers one home from 57-yards out on an outside run from #20 Kemon Spell.
That was the last play of the third quarter. @MontourFootball 14@McKTigersFB 21@PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/Swgf0NDbGj

— Dean Shazer — the son (@DeanShazer2) November 18, 2023

After a defensive stop in the fourth quarter from McKeesport, they answered for another touchdown. It was Keith Spell one more time with his third rushing touchdown of the game. McKeesport led by two possessions, 28-14, with less than six minutes away from finish.

This one is a big one and might just help McKeesport punch their ticket.
Keith Spell scores his third rushing touchdown of the game in the 4A WPIAL Semi-Finals.
5:43 left in the game. @MontourFootball 14@McKTigersFB 28@PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/Jm9s1GebIH

— Dean Shazer — the son (@DeanShazer2) November 18, 2023

McKeesport’s defense held strong with multiple big sacks throughout the fourth quarter. One sack included Keith Spell coming off the edge and limping on the second to last defensive snap of the game for McKeesport. That may play a factor into next weeks game at Acrisure Stadium (Heinz Field).

McKeesport is heading to their second WPIAL championship in eight years while their opponent is familiar with the big stage. Aliquippa who is on the other side of the 4A bracket, is heading to their sixteenth straight WPIAL championship. Next weekend at Acrisure Stadium is where the matchup between these two teams will take place.

FINAL:

Montour (10-2) 14

McKeesport (11-1) 28

4A WPIAL Championship McKeesport (11-1) vs Aliquippa (12-0)

Game Photos: