Nov 2, 2018 3 min read

BURGETTSTOWN – Mark Druga wanted momentum for his Burgettstown football team going into the playoffs. Posting an undefeated regular season record certainly counts.

That momentum seemed to carry into Burgettstown’s first-round playoff game against East Allegheny, as it took the Blue Devils less than three minutes to score the game’s opening points.

But Druga and the Burgettstown faithful had to know a victory wouldn’t come easy against a strong No. 15 seed in the Wildcats, and there would be ebbs and flows throughout the contest. Those did, indeed, happen, but Burgettstown survived those shifts to earn the school’s first home playoff win at Hill Memorial Stadium, defeating East Allegheny, 33-10, Friday night in a WPIAL Class 2-A first-round game.

“We have 101 years of history at Burgettstown,” said Druga. “To have our first home win – incredible. This year, we finished it. I can’t be happier with our output.”

Burgettstown (10-0) plays the winner of Avonworth and Freedom.

After touchdown runs by Jake Lounder and Cyle Conley staked Burgettstown to a 14-0 lead in the second quarter and with the game seemingly in firm control for the home side, the wind quickly shifted. Following the Conley touchdown, East Allegheny’s Tyler Padezen took the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a score to cut the deficit in half.

The Wildcats (6-5) then successfully pulled off a surprise onside kick, setting them up for a chance to tie the game, driving to the 5-yard line with a first-and-goal.

East Allegheny couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity, going backwards, and a win for the Burgettstown defense forced the Wildcats to settle for a field goal to make the score 14-10.

“Those 10 points are all on me,” Druga said. “I coach special teams. I’m gonna work out the wazoo this weekend. We have to shore that up for next week.”

Then it was Burgettstown’s turn for a kickoff return for a touchdown, but Seth Phillis’ 77-yard return was nullified by a penalty. However, the Blue Devils still managed to get points on the board with a 56-yard touchdown drive, capped by Lounder’s second rushing score of the game.

From there, Burgettstown’s ball-control offense and staunch defense kept the Wildcats off the board, but it wasn’t perfect for the Blue Devils offensively. Two fumbles inside the Wildcats 10 took away scoring chances, but the second time it happened, Burgettstown got a safety to make the score 23-10, and a Phillis field goal tacked on three more.

“Our defense is what’s carried us, and they have played lights out all year,” said Druga.

Shane Kemper led the Blue Devils with 123 yards rushing on 14 carries, and Conley added 88 yards on 14 attempts. Lounder chipped in with 61 yards rushing.