McKeesport Defeats West Mifflin in Battle of Star Running Backs
In a rivalry matchup between two school districts that are separated by a single bridge, it was the running backs that stole the show in McKeesport’s 28-21 victory over West Mifflin.
Despite West Mifflin running back, four-star West Virginia commit Armand Hill scoring three touchdowns, it was McKeesport’s running back, five-star Penn State commit Kemon Spell’s second touchdown of the evening that decided the game.
Hill and West Mifflin struck first as they orchestrated a long and efficient drive early in the first quarter that saw conversions on third-and-20, third-and-12 and fourth-and-five.
Following a defensive pass interference on the Titans’ fourth-down pass attempt, Hill rushed for a 12-yard gain down to the Tigers’ two before punching it in on the very next play.
Spell and McKeesport tried to answer right back but the Titans’ defense came prepared for the challenge as it stuffed the five-star twice which set up a third-and-long deep inside of their own territory.
The Titans’ defense once again made a play on the third down attempt as Maleec Cobb capitalized on an overthrown and picked off the Tigers’ pass in plus-territory.
Cobb’s interception set up Hill’s second touchdown of the night just a few plays later.
Once again, after Hill used a tough run to gain 11 yards down to the Tigers’ two, he rumbled his way into the end zone two plays later giving the home team a two touchdown lead.
The Tigers finally looked as if they would respond on the ensuing drive as Spell used a long run to get onto the Titans’ side of the field.
Despite the first long run of the night by Spell, the Tigers’ drive stalled and set up a fourth-and-long in which the attempted pass fell to the turf and gave the Titans the ball back once again.
After a quick punt, Spell looked to take matters into his own hands and bursted down the sidelines for a 39-yard gain but fumbled near the end of the run. West Mifflin jumped on the loose ball, shutting down yet another Tigers’ drive.
The Tigers’ defense finally settled into the game and forced another quick punt to give the offense a chance to get on the board which they finally did.
After a punt set them up in Titans’ territory, Spell took a wildcat snap and rushed down the opposite sideline which put them inside of the red zone for the first time. Spell eventually punched in a five-yard rushing touchdown a few plays later to cut into the West Mifflin lead.
Hill and Spell combined for three touchdowns, the only three scores of the first half, as West Mifflin carried a 14-6 lead into the locker rooms at halftime.
Hill and the Titans opened the second half with the ball and looked to extend their lead but a quick three-and-out halted any chances of that as McKeesport got the ball deep inside of West Mifflin territory and immediately tied the game up on a tush push by quarterback Matthew Miller Jr.
The Tigers’ used a herculean effort by Spell on the two-point conversion to knot the game up at 14-14. On the play, Spell caught a screen pass and ran one defender over before fighting through another to get to the pylon.
After another Titans’ punt on the ensuing drive, the Tigers’ claimed their first lead of the night just before the end of the third quarter on Miller’s second rushing touchdown which came from 12 yards out.
Just when it looked like McKeesport grabbed hold of the game and momentum, Hill and the Titans struck again. After driving down to the Tigers’ 30-yard line, the Titans faced a third-and-short situation which is when Hill not only got the first down but took off for a 30-yard touchdown run.
Hill’s third touchdown of the game gave the Titans a 21-20 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Each team then traded punts before McKeesport jumped back ahead of West Mifflin with under four minutes left in the game.
After the Tigers converted a fourth-and-two on their own side of the field, Spell showcased his five-star speed as he ran straight up the middle and through the Titans’ defense for the game-sealing 50-yard touchdown.
The win puts McKeesport (4-3) back over .500 on the season as conference play is just heating up while the loss pits West Mifflin with a 1-6 start to the season. The Tigers return home to take on Mars next week while the Titans will remain at home to host Indiana.
