Fourth-quarter field goal helps Burgettstown beat Brentwood, clinch conference title

By: Dylan Cleland
Friday, October 18, 2019 | 10:47 PM

Senior kicker Seth Phillis made a 30-yard field goal with 2 minutes, 29 seconds left in the game to lead No. 2 Burgettstown past No. 5 Brentwood on Friday night at Hill Memorial Stadium, giving the Blue Devils back-to-back Class 2A Three Rivers Conference championships.

Phillis also knocked in field goals from 30 and 37 yards in the second quarter to give Burgettstown (8-0, 6-0) a halftime lead.

“I’ve seen him grow up and the nerves on the kid, kicking these field goals left and right, kickoffs, punts and then he had an interception as well,” Burgettstown head coach Mark Druga said. “I’d put him up there with any kicker, one through six A.”

Burgettstown senior Cyle Conley scored on a 6-yard run in the first quarter to give his team a 7-0 lead, but Brentwood (7-2, 6-1) quickly answered.

Senior John Milcic of Brentwood, best known for his work at quarterback, made an impact on defense, intercepting a Jake Lounder pass and returning it 43 yards for the score to make it 7-7.

Phillis’ second-quarter field goals gave Burgettstown a 13-7 lead at the half.

Brentwood coach Kevin Kissel said the physicality and kicking game were on display throughout the night.

“It was a good, physical game,” Kissel said. “Back and forth, I was afraid the kicking game would be involved and obviously their kicking game is a little better than ours.”

After a run-heavy first half, both quarterbacks came out and exchanged interceptions to start the third quarter. Additionally, each team had a drive that lasted more than eight minutes, but Brentwood was able to cash in on theirs. Milcic connected with senior Eddie Gomez at the 1:56 mark of the third quarter, tying the score 13-13.

“(Johnny) played a good game. He threw the ball well at times. We wouldn’t be here without him,” Kissel said.

Gomez missed the extra point and the game remained tied until the fourth quarter.

With 2:29 left, Phillis drilled his third field goal of the night, clinching the 16-13 win and conference championship.

Burgettstown will conclude its regular season next Friday at South Allegheny, while Brentwood hosts Ellwood City.

For the second straight year, Druga and his staff have helped bring a winning culture back to Burgettstown, something he’s ecstatic about.

“It’s cliche but you saw it,” Druga said. “The town shuts down. We’re a small school and everybody comes to the game. People want to be a part of this. The culture here is phenomenal for football, hands down.”

Tags: Brentwood, Burgettstown