Bethel Park opens season with breezy win vs. Seneca Valley

By: Jerin Steele
Friday, August 23, 2024 | 11:51 PM

One pick-6 in a quarter is a momentum shifter, but two?

That is typically a game changer.

And that was the case for Bethel Park on Friday night.

Jack Bruckner and William Sabatos each intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown in the first quarter to set the tone, and the Black Hawks went on to beat Seneca Valley, 50-14, in a Week Zero game at NexTier Stadium.

“We talked all week about starting fast in this game, and there’s nothing bigger than the momentum swing that comes from a play like a pick-6 and how we transitioned off it from there,” Bethel Park coach Phil Peckich said. “Those pick-6s put us in a good position to thrive throughout that first half and took the air out of the ball for them.”

Bruckner’s pick-6 came after Bethel Park (1-0) marched down the field on its opening drive, which ended with a Ja Vaughn Moore 1-yard touchdown run.

Seneca Valley (0-1) had moved into Bethel Park territory, but Andrew Loebig’s attempted pass went right into Bruckner’s hands. Bruckner went 66 yards untouched into the end zone.

Later in the quarter, Sabatos stepped in front of a pass at the Seneca Valley 14-yard line and waltzed into the end zone to make it 22-0.

“Both of the interceptions in the first half were off of tipped balls, which was unfortunate,” Seneca Valley coach Ron Butschle said. “Andrew Loebig will be fine. He’s a good football player, and tonight was his first varsity exposure. I’m certain he learned a lot of lessons tonight. We’ll wash this one away and start over next week.”

Bethel Park put together a strong, 79-yard drive between the first and second quarters, which ended with a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Tanner Pfeuffer.

Loebig connected on a 30-yard pass with Brayden Wise to set up first-and-goal at the 3. On the next play, Loebig burrowed his way into the end zone.

Bethel Park added three touchdowns on passes by Pfeuffer in the second half.

He had a 29-yard connection with Mitchell Paschi on the first drive of the second half. He hit Moore with a pair, one for 80 yards and one from a yard.

Pfeuffer, a 6-foot-6 senior, finished 13 for 20 for 246 yards.

“Tanner is an extension of us on the field,” Peckich said. “He has intangibles as far as leadership and understanding of the offense. His game never speeds up.

“I think his stock is going to continue to rise, and I’m excited about his future. I’m not really sure why more colleges haven’t come around.”

Ryan Petras, last year’s Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference Offensive Player of the Year, was out because of a shoulder injury, but in his absence Bruckner stepped up and had five catches for 65 yards.

Loebig threw his first varsity touchdown pass in the third quarter. It was a 12-yard throw to Jayden Price.

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

Tags: Bethel Park, Seneca Valley