Bulldogs win big non-section contest againts GCC
FREDERICKTOWN — Unranked, but undaunted, Beth-Center forced its way into a conversation regarding the WPIAL’s best Class A teams with a hard-fought 29-20 non-conference win over visiting Greensburg Central Catholic Friday night.
The Bulldogs’ Anthony Welsh stopped Sam Nowicki short on a two-point conversion attempt with just over five minutes remaining, then scored his third touchdown with 48 seconds to play.
Greensburg Central Catholic came into Friday’s game ranked in the top five in Class A.
As for Beth-Center, the Bulldogs (2-0) typically don’t get much respect north of the Tri-County South Conference.
“I think we showed tonight we can play with anyone,” Welsh said.
Greensburg Central Catholic (1-1) rallied from a 14-0 deficit to tie the score late in the third quarter, but a safety and Welsh’s second TD run gave the hosts a 22-14 lead.
Beth-Center’s John Berdar was wide right on the point after attempt, however, leaving GCC just one score behind.
Nowicki raced 78 yards three plays later to pull the Centurions to within 22-20. Beth-Center forced an incompletion on the initial two-point conversion attempt, but a roughing the passer penalty gave GCC another shot.
This time, Nowicki’s number was called. He started off right tackle before bouncing the play outside. After breaking a tackle, Nowicki tried to reverse the play and started to cut back to the left.
For a split second it looked like Nowicki might have been able to slip around the end, but Welsh blew the play up and dropped Nowicki in the center of the field well short of the end zone.
Non-conference
Greensburg C.C. 00 00 14 06 — 20
Beth-Center 07 00 07 15 — 29
First Quarter
BC — Anthony Welsh 4 run (John Berdar kick)
Third Quarter
BC — Nico Brown 32 fumble return (Berdar kick)
GCC — Jassan Eubank 1 run (Adam Tucker kick)
GCC — Brian Pevarnik 38 run (Tucker kick)
Fourth Quarter
BC — Safety, Pevarnik tackled in end zone
BC — Welsh 15 run (kick failed)
GCC — Nowicki 78 run (run failed)
BC — Welsh 3 run (Berdar kick)