Quick start propels Bethel Park over Baldwin

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, October 13, 2018 | 12:00 AM

Bethel Park jumped out to a 14-point lead less than six minutes into the game at home against Baldwin Friday night.

The Black Hawks finished with a 28-7 Allegheny 8 conference victory.

Bethel Park’s Jehvonn Lewis, returning to action after missing several games with an injury, capped of a 63-yard opening drive with a 9-yard touchdown run.

After sophomore Jason Muench intercepted Baldwin’s Mason Stahl, Luke Surunis scored from a yard out to put the Black Hawks up by two scores just 5:20 into the contest.

The Black Hawks took advantage of another Baldwin turnover early in the second quarter. Cory Hardinger sacked Stahl and forced the ball loose and junior defensive tackle Brandon Cole scooped up the fumble and rambled 54 yards to the end zone to give Bethel Park a 21-0 lead.

“I saw Cory Hardinger strip sack the quarterback,” Cole said. “I saw the ball and I just picked it up and ran. I was really thinking someone was going to track me down and strip it. I was just holding onto the ball, and I was glad to get a touchdown.”

The score was Cole’s first in his high school career.

Baldwin had two opportunities inside the Bethel Park 20-yard line in the first half but came away with no points. Part of the reason was the Black Hawks’ defense putting pressure on Stahl.

“Our game plan was really good,” Cole said. “We knew we had a chance to pressure them. We blitzed really well and executed great tonight. Holding them to seven points was big.”

The running game — especially Surunis — had a big night for Bethel Park. The Black Hawks totaled 285 yards of offense, with all but 29 of those on the ground. Surunis carried the ball 27 times and scored twice to pace the attack for Bethel Park.

“We really work hard in practice,” Cole said. “Coach Heubner is always pushing us, especially against Baldwin because that’s where he went to high school, so he really wanted this one.”

With the score at 21-7 and Baldwin driving early in the fourth quarter, Stahl was intercepted again, this time by Jared Yantek at the 3-yard line. Bethel Park drove 97 yards and took 8:39 off the clock before Surunis put the game away with a 5-yard scoring run.

“We just came out and kept running it down their throat,” Cole said. “That just worked, and that’s what we stuck to on that drive.”

Even though he threw a pair of interceptions, Stahl had a big night for Baldwin, completing 27 of 41 passes, including an 11-yard touchdown to Jarren Kelly.

Kelly caught nine passes for 120 yards and the score for Baldwin (4-4, 2-4).

Bethel Park (5-2, 4-1) clinched a berth in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

“It’s really exciting to make the playoffs; it’s everyone’s goal,” Cole said. “We just have to keep getting better and get everyone healthy. We have two huge games coming up. One week at a time as Coach Metheny says, so we have to focus on Peters Township.”

Bob Orkwis is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin, Bethel Park