Bethel Park rides duo of Moore and Pfeuffer to wild victory over Moon

By: Ed Troup
Friday, September 27, 2024 | 11:58 PM

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How good is the Bethel Park duo of running back Ja Vaughn Moore and quarterback Tanner Pfeuffer? Very.

Moore, the WPIAL’s second-leading rusher flexed his running skills with 202 yards, and Pfeuffer, the WPIAL’s third-leading passer, scored the winning touchdown for Bethel Park with just 4 seconds left in the game as the Black Hawks beat Moon, 45-36, in a Class 4A Allegheny Six Conference opener Friday night at Bethel Park Black Hawk Stadium.

“Every game in our conference is going to be tough,” Bethel Park coach Phil Peckich said. “We found a way to execute at the end, and that is a testament to our kids. They really responded in the second half, and I am proud of all of them.”

Bethel Park (6-0, 1-0) took its first lead with 8 minutes, 20 seconds left on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Pfeuffer to Jack Bruckner, and Bethel Park led, 33-28. With 2:24 left in the game and Bethel Park trying to run out the lock, Pfeuffer fumbled a snap, and Jared Moyer recovered the ball and scored on a 31-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 36-33 lead after a 2-point conversion from Andrew Cross to Tavis Lindsey.

After the go-ahead score by Pfeuffer, Bethel Park scored its third defensive touchdown as Randall Bergia scored on a 5-yard interception return giving the Black Hawks the 45-36 win.

“They way that (Moore) runs is very unique. I think our line did a great job tonight along with our tightends and fullbacks too,” Peckich said. “That’s the special thing about this group: There are no selfish players.”

Moon (3-2, 0-1) scored first on its opening offensive drive with a 15-yard touchdown run by CJ Lindsey for a 7-0 lead with 6:26 left in the opening quarter.

Bethel Park looked to its playmaker on the following drive with Ja Vaughn Moore scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run. The extra point was blocked, and Moon held a 7-6 lead with 3:40 left in the first quarter.

Both teams exchanged second quarter scores each within a five-minute stretch. Nicholas Clemens picked up a Tanner Pfeuffer fumble and returned it 30 yards for the Moon defensive touchdown to give the Tigers a 14-6 lead.

Moore scored his second touchdown of the night with a 10-yard run to pull the Black Hawks within two points, 14-12, with 6:58 left in the second quarter.

Moon again answered with Paul Bronaugh scoring on a 20-yard touchdown run on the next offensive possession to extend the lead to 21-12. Bethel Park got a big offensive strike, with Pfeuffer hitting Mitchell Paschl on a 45-yard touchdown pass, making the score 21-19 at halftime with Moon in the lead.

Moon started the second half with a 10-play, 5:38 scoring drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Cross for a 28-19 lead. Bethel Park looked to Pfeuffer again, and he hit Moore on a 31-yard touchdown pass to pull the Black Hawks within 28-26 heading into the fourth quarter.

“We are a balanced team, and we can find different ways to win football games each week,” Peckich said. “We knew once we got in conference play that we would need to have a 1-0 mentality each week, for each game because there are going to be some battles like this.”

Pfeuffer finished the game completing 20 of 29 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Moore finished with 31 carries for 202 yards, two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. Paschl ended the game with six receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown. For the game, Bethel Park had 568 total offensive yards to Moon’s 230 total yards.

Both teams will play another Allegheny Six Conference game next week as Moon will host Peters Township in Week 6, and Bethel Park will travel to Baldwin.

Tags: Bethel Park, Moon