Leechburg uses blocked field goal return to help hold off Bentworth

By: Greg Smith
Friday, September 8, 2023 | 10:16 PM

Leechburg already has been on the wrong side of a scoop ’n’ score this season in its season-opening loss to Apollo-Ridge. But Friday night, Randy Walters’ squad took back one of its own in a 28-21 victory over Bentworth.

Leechburg led much of the game, including by 14 with just 3 minutes, 43 seconds remaining before a Bentworth touchdown drive, capped by Vitali Daniels’ 24-yard pass to Lucas Burt, closed the gap to seven points. A failed onside kick attempt ended the Bearcats’ night.

“We really improved from Game 1 to Game 2, but we really took a step back tonight,” said Walters, citing blocking up front as problem persistent throughout Friday’s game. “They (Bentworth) are a lot better team than they were last year.”

Leechburg (2-1) lit the scoreboard first, blocking a Bentworth field goal, with Jayden Floyd picking the ball up and rumbling 75 yards for the score. After a near muffed punt near midfield, Bentworth put together its first substantial drive, capped by a 16-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Burt, giving the Bearcats an 8-7 lead.

The score would remain as such until 5:12 of the second quarter when Floyd added his second touchdown of the night to finish off an eight-play, 68-yard drive with his 2-yard rush.

“He’s tough as nails. He’s a beast” said Walters of Floyd.

The Blue Devils would extend the lead to 21-8 at 4:27 of the third, this time on a 3-yard run by Jake Cummings. The touchdown drive was just three plays and 10 yards after a punt snap sailed over Daniels’ head and gave Leechburg the short field.

“That bad snap. It’s two plays, but that’s OK. We’re close,” said Brentwood first-year coach David Pordash. “We’ve lost two games by a total of 14 points.”

Bentworth (1-2) would respond quickly with its best drive of the game to that point, a 10-play, 76-yard drive that ended on a Daniels’ 9-yard run to cut the lead to 21-14. Bentworth would have a short field on its next possession but was unable to score, giving Floyd another opportunity to put the game away.

Floyd directed a seven-play, 80-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, stretching the lead back to 14. He ended the game with 114 rushing yards, 90 of which came in the second half. Daniels had 168 yards through the air and three total touchdowns.

Bentworth will start section play next week against Monessen, while Leechburg will be back on the road against conference opponent Springdale.

Tags: Bentworth, Leechburg