North Allegheny took the short trip to Pine-Richland High School to compete against the Central Catholic Vikings in the WPIAL Championship game. The Vikings got off to a hot start and the Tigers could never recover falling to Central Catholic by a score of 42-7.
The Vikings got things started immediately as Jayden Alexander returned the opening kick 96 yards to jump out to a 7-0 lead. After a North Allegheny three-and-out and a good Central Catholic return, the Vikings drove 44 yards in six plays to make the score 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
It looked like the Vikings would be in the red zone again when Aiden Nasiadka returned a punt inside the 20, but Bradyn McConneha punched the ball out and Gavin Ust recovered it to give NA the ball back. Even with a little momentum, a Tiger fumble was picked up and returned by Central’s Nick Curinga to the end zone to make the score 21-0. Things stayed calmed until just over two minutes left in the second quarter when the Vikings drove 94 yards in 10 plays, capped off by a Roman Thompson two-yard touchdown run to make the score 28-0 at the half.
North Allegheny punted on the opening drive of the third quarter. Central Catholic turned it into points again with another Thompson touchdown, and the mercy rule was invoked as the Vikings went up 35-0.
After a 43-minute weather delay, Alexander found the end zone again, this time from 58 yards out to expand the Central lead to 42-0 in the fourth quarter. After an NA punt, the Tigers forced a turnover as Kellan Frank caused and recovered a fumble. The Tigers broke the shutout when Brady Brinkley hit Cameron Kushner on a five-yard pass.
Luke Rohan led the Tigers in rushing with 40 yards. Brinkley finished the night 12-for-23 with 145 yards and a touchdown. Ben Kern was NA’s leading receiver with four catches for 74 yards. Frank, Eli Janowiak and Mason Brown all had seven tackles for North Allegheny while Kushner had six.
The North Allegheny seniors were named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game. This group made it to four WPIAL championship games, claiming two WPIAL titles along with a PIAA championship appearance.
The Tigers season ends with an 8-4 record. Congrats to head coach Art Walker and all players and staff on another successful campaign.
Football Summary vs. Central Catholic, 11-15-25
| GAME SUMMARY | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| North Allegheny | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Central Catholic | 14 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
