McDowell can't overcome five turnovers in PIAA football loss to Mt. Lebanon
PITTSBURGH – McDowell has jumped on opponents' mistakes throughout the season to win nine games and a District 10 championship.
On Friday, five Trojan turnovers led to 26 points by Mt. Lebanon with the season on the line.
The Blue Devils dominant duo of Alex Tecza and Eli Heidenreich combined for almost 400 yards of offense and five touchdowns as Mt. Lebanon routed McDowell 47-14 in the PIAA Class 6A football quarterfinals on Friday at Mt. Lebanon High School.
More: Friday's Pennsylvania high school football scores, Nov. 26
Mt. Lebanon (13-0) moves on to play in the state semifinals next week, while McDowell ends the season 9-3.
The Blue Devils intercepted four passes and recovered a McDowell fumble, which led to four touchdowns. The only time a turnover didn't lead to points is after Mt. Lebanon's first interception, McDowell blocked a field goal attempt to end the drive.
“We just played probably the best team in Pennsylvania and we had some momentum early and our defense was really physical but a couple of bad snaps got us behind schedule,” said McDowell coach Brad Orlando. “All of a sudden we are in second and 15 or third and 15 and that causes a pick. We weren't able to do a few things we wanted to do offensively.”
Tecza, Matt Wertz, Tommy Boehner and AJ Stettler all intercepted passes for the Blue Devils, but Wertz's interception might have been the toughest to overcome for McDowell.
More: Cathedral Prep RBs Michael Parks, Suhtaun Lewis aren't big, but they put up sizable stats
Mt. Lebanon went up 14-7 with 1 minute, 24 seconds left in the first half on a touchdown run by Heidenreich, a Navy recruit. McDowell tried to work the ball down the field to score before halftime, but Wertz came up with the interception. Tecza then scored 30 seconds later to make it 21-7 at the half.
“That team doesn't make many mistakes and when you give them extra opportunities that's what happens,” Orlando said. “They pulled away from us. We never got the momentum back.”
Dynamic duo
Mt. Lebanon is known for its trio with Tecza, Heidenreich and quarterback Joey Daniels, but Tecza and Heidenreich stole the show. Heidenreich ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries, including an 80-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to put the game away. He also had three catches for 100 yards.
Tecza ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and had one catch for eight yards. Tecza, a Division I prospect, has an Erie connection as his dad, Randall, played football at Cathedral Prep and Allegheny. His grandparents still live in Erie.
“That’s who we are. That’s why our team is so good. We’re so versatile,” Tecza said. “Teams game plan against me, and that leaves him open, or teams game plan against him, and that leaves me open.”
Daniels still had an impact as well, as he completed 6-of-10 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown.
More: 2021 Region All-Stars, Players of Year from District 10 football
Offensive struggles
Christian Santiago broke a 28-yard touchdown run on fourth down on McDowell's first drive, but it was the only score for the Trojans until late in the game when Artis Simmons scored from 11 yards out. McDowell finished with 218 yards of offense as the Blue Devils continued to get to the backfield.
“I was worried about the WPIAL hangover and we had a slow start,” Mt. Lebanon head coach Bob Palko said. “It surprised me because I thought we had some good practices this week, and you have to tip your hat to McDowell. I don't know if the first few drives woke us up but we definitely respect that team.”
The future
McDowell will say goodbye to almost 20 seniors in the spring, including most of the offensive line and several wide receivers, but the Trojans return several key underclassmen, including Simmons, Santiago, Ben Moore and Cooper Cousins among others.
“The culture is so good here that these guys will want to get into the weight room on Monday but we'll get to it after our end-of-season meetings,” Orlando said. “The guys set the bar so high for themselves and we bring back a solid group with experience next year. They'll want to get back to this game and further, but for now we're thinking about the seniors and everything they accomplished these past four years.”
Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: McDowell falls to Mt. Lebanon in PIAA football playoffs.
