Beaver Falls storms past Vikings, 42-14
Joe Sabella
Beaver Falls’ Malik Shepherd (3) stretches for extra yards as Mount Pleasant defenders Jake Newill (22) and Jacob Shafley (72) try to bring him down during Beaver Falls’ 42-14 win over Mt. Pleasant on Friday evening.
Beaver Falls' Malik Shepherd (3) cuts inside Mt. Pleasant defender Ian Sutherland (19) in the third quarter of Beaver Falls' 42-14 win over Mt. Pleasant on Friday evening.
Mt. Pleasant's Dylan Rodgers (39) tackles Beaver Falls' Derrell Carter (25) in the backfield for a loss in the first quarter of Beaver Falls' 42-14 win over Mt. Pleasant on Friday evening.
Beaver Falls' Malik Shepherd (3) jumps over Mt. Pleasant defender Cody Reese (5) in an attempt to haul in a long pass in the fourth quarter of Beaver Falls' 42-14 win over Mt. Pleasant on Friday evening.
BEAVER FALLS — After falling behind early on Friday night, Beaver Falls ended Mount Pleasant’s season, scoring 35 unanswered points and rolling to a 42-14 win in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3-A playoffs. Beaver Falls won its ninth consecutive game, improving to 9-1, and will meet Keystone Oaks in the semifinal round of the tournament.
Mount Pleasant hit Beaver Falls on its first possession when Johnny Yester found Keith Kalp wide open behind the Tigers’ defense for a 64-yard touchdown to take a quick 7-0 lead. The Vikings then got the ball back when they pulled off a successful onside kick. That drive was stalled, however, when Donovan Jeter sacked Yester to force a punt.
Beaver Falls then tied the game on a 4-yard TD run by Torian Leak, who carried the ball on six of the Tigers’ nine plays in the drive. Derrell Carter gave Beaver Falls a 14-7 lead when he took a handoff around left end and found a seam, breaking free for a 62-yard TD run.
Malik Shepherd gave Beaver Falls some breathing room when he opened the second half with a 30-yard TD run, aided by a huge block from receiver Dalyn Brickner, to give the Tigers a 21-7 lead. Leak then broke the game open when he scored on a 10-yard run to make it 28-7. Carter made it 35-7 when he scored his second TD on a 27-yard run.
Beaver Falls relied heavily on its rushing attack, as two players broke 100 yards. Leak led all rushers with 149 yards, while Shepherd added 100 and Carter finished with 89.
Class 3-A Quarterfinals
Mt. Pleasant 7-0-0-7 — 14
Beaver Falls 7-7-14-14 — 42
First Quarter
MP: Keith Kalp 64 pass from Johnny Yester (Bradley Tait kick)
BF: Torian Leak 4 run (Cody Long kick)
Second Quarter
BF: Derrell Carter 63 run (Cody Long kick)
Third Quarter
BF: Malik Shepherd 31 run (Cody Long kick)
BF: Torian Leak 11 run (Cody Long kick)
Fourth Quarter
BF: Derrell Carter 27 run (Cody Long kick)
MP: Chris Wagner 4 run (Bradley Tait kick)
BF: Magic Gandy 2 run (Cody Long kick)
Records: Mount Pleasant (7-4), Beaver Falls (9-1)