North Hills rushes past Kiski Area to remain undefeated

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 7, 2018 | 11:03 PM

In this era of sophisticated running attacks, North Hills won its third game in as many tries with a playbook possibly used when Martorelli Stadium first opened in 1941.

The Indians ran the ball 54 times and passed just twice to come away with a 35-28 victory Friday over the Kiski Area Cavaliers in a Northern Conference game.

Tommy McDonough ran 12 times for 181 yards while Tyler Brennan had 16 carries for 113 yards and three touchdowns as North Hills held off a Kiski Area passing attack that garnered 268 yards.

McDonough, Brennan and Tyler Tomasic, who carried the ball for the last eight plays and ran out the clock, all took direct snaps from center for the Indians (3-0, 2-0)

“We have several athletes who can run the ball for us,” North Hills coach Pat Carey said. “We feel right now that we can be a harder team to defend the triple effect three good backs.”

The Indians had to withstand a solid passing attack by the Cavaliers (2-1, 1-1).

Wallace threw for his 268 yards with six players catching passes. Troy Kuhn had five receptions for 146 yards.

A crucial play took place with 6 minutes, 35 seconds to go, and North Hills in front, 35-22.

A Kiski Area punt appeared muffed, but the officials ruled illegal touching, and North Hills was awarded possession on its 42 instead of the Cavaliers going on offense.

“The call on the punt play was a big one for us, and they called it a touch,” Carey said.

“They said it hit a kid’s foot, and I asked them where,” Kiski Area coach Sam Albert said. “But it is what it is.”

The game’s first break came when the ball was snapped over the North Hills punter’s head, and Kiski Area had the ball at the Indians 5. On the following play, Drew DiNunzio-Biss scored, but the touchdown was nullified due to an illegal block.

The Cavaliers had to settle for a 30-yard field goal by Nick Smith 4½ minutes into the game.

Later in the opening quarter, James Hollinger picked off a Wallace pass at the 45 and returned the ball to the Kiski Area 15.

Tyler Brennan scored on the next play, and the Indians led, 7-3.

North Hills added to its lead as Brennan scored from 17 yards out on a direct snap.

KIski Area got back into the game as Wallace directed an 87-yard scoring drive in eight plays — aided by two Indians pass interference penalties.

“There were some penalties called that were unclear to both coaches,” Carey said.

The key play was a 19-yard pass from Wallace to Garret Polka to the North Hills 1. DiNunzio-Biss scored two plays later, and the Indians held a 14-10 advantage at the half.

The Indians wasted no time increasing their lead. On the first play from scrimmage in the second half, McDonough raced 80 yards on a keeper to increase the North Hills lead to 21-10.

“We had a kid lined up the wrong way; we have to cut down on our mistakes,” Albert said.

The Cavaliers answered with a 93-yard drive, highlighted by a 56-yard pass play from Wallace to Kuhn at the Indians 3. DiNunzio-Biss scored two plays later, and Kiski Area again cut its deficit to four.

“I can’t be more proud of our team,” Albert said. “A year ago, we would have quit after those scores. We kept coming back.”

McDonough set up another North Hills score with a 53-yard scamper.

North Hills was whistled for 120 penalty yards, Kiski Area 82.

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Kiski School, North Hills