South Fayette survives slow start, wins 40th straight
South Fayette’s Nick Ponikvar returns a first-half punt Friday night against Seton-La Salle.
Seton-La Salle’s Nolan Abbiatici (No.10) and Paris Ford (No.1) break up a pass intended for South Fayette’s Dan Trimbur (No. 14).
South Fayette’s Mikey Speca (1) is called for interference Friday on a pass intended for Seton-La Salle’s Dalaun Samuels.
McDONALD – South Fayette sophomore quarterback Drew Saxton felt the nerves. He was playing a rival for the first time in front of a large crowd at home and just threw three first-quarter interceptions that led to a 14-point halftime deficit.
A few of his teammates walked up to Saxton and pointed to the bumper on the front of South Fayette’s helmets that reads, ‘Team.’ The gesture calmed Saxton down after he was too aggressive and it showed.
After trailing by 14 points at halftime, the Lions’ charged through Seton-La Salle’s defense for 17 unanswered points, including two touchdowns by Saxton, and walked away with a 17-14 win; extending the program’s winning streak to 40 games and winning a fourth consecutive Century Conference championship.
The winning streak is tied for the fifth-longest in the country and is the third-longest in WPIAL history. It was the first time South Fayette (8-0, 8-0) trailed at halftime since the PIAA Class AA championship game last fall.
“That’s a championship effort,” South Fayette head coach Joe Rossi said. “You saw smiles and you didn’t see anybody hit the panic button. Fortunately, we’re in that position where it’s like that.”
After allowing 184 yards in the first half, including 180 in the second quarter, South Fayette held Seton-La Salle (5-2, 6-2) to 28 yards in the second half and the Lions had two of their three interceptions. Rebels wide receiver Paris Ford, a Pitt recruit, was held to just two catches in the second half.
Saxton sparked an offense that had 179 yards in the second half. He completed 10 of 17 passes for 101 yards, threw a 4-yard score to Noah Plack and an 8-yard touchdown to Dan Trimbur that tied the score 14-14 with 2:49 remaining in the third quarter.
“I was just looking for deep stuff and trying to make plays too much,” Saxton said of his early struggles. “I had to take the underneath routes and let them run with the ball.”
On the first drive of the third quarter, senior running back Hunter Hayes, who finished with 99 yards on 29 carries, led the Lions on a 10-play, 60-yard drive that ended with Saxton’s touchdown pass to Plack. After a three-and out by the Rebels, the Lions drove to Seton-La Salle’s 5-yard line, where Saxton faced fourth and goal.
He dropped back and threw a jump ball that was deflected into the air and Trimbur came down with it to tie the score at 14-14.
On the ensuing kickoff, Ford fumbled on his own 22-yard line and it was recovered by junior Luke Meindl, who also had two interceptions. The Lions had two touchdowns called back on holding calls before Trimbur kicked a 28-yard field goal to give them their first lead of the game.
Rebels quarterback Nolan Abbiatici, who completed just 9 of 21 passes for 92 yards, was intercepted on the next two drives – one by Hayes and one by Meindl – before the Lions ran out the clock to seal the win.
“At Seton-La Salle, we’re not into moral victories,” Seton-La Salle head coach Damon Rosol said. “Our slogan all week was, ‘Say no to 40.’ We didn’t want to be number 40, but unfortunately, we came up a field goal short. When you win 40 in a row, kids find ways to make plays.”
After South Fayette senior wide receiver Nick Ponikvar’s 44-yard punt return for a touchdown was negated by a personal foul late in the first quarter, Saxton threw his third interception. The penalty was originally called after the play – allowing the touchdown to stand – but the officials changed their ruling moments later.
One play after a first quarter when the Rebels were held to negative four yards on offense, Ford caught a 40-yard pass to help the Rebels march to the Lions’ 7-yard line, where Abbiatici found him in the end zone on fourth down for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Ford caught six passes for 89 yards and had an interception.
South Fayette, meanwhile, was held to just 23 yards of total offense in the second quarter and converted just four first downs in the first half.
Later in the quarter, Rebels running back Lionel Deans’ 61-yard run gave Seton-La Salle the ball at South Fayette’s 5-yard line before Abbiatici connected with senior wide receiver Nico Popa for a 4-yard touchdown and the 14-0 lead.
After the Lions turned it over on downs, Deanes led Seton-La Salle on another drive deep into South Fayette territory, but Abbiatici was intercepted by Meindl in the end zone with nine seconds before halftime.
“It was the first true test this year,” Saxton said. “We know what we’re made of and how good of a team we are. It could be the last time we ever play Seton, so beating them is a great feeling.”