USC defeats Mt. Lebanon in nonconference game between top 5 teams

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 5, 2018 | 11:57 PM

It had been almost three years since Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon met.

Even though it was a Class 5A vs. Class 6A nonconference crossover game Friday night, there was anticipation between these schools, which are less than 5 miles apart.

Class 5A No. 5 Upper St. Clair used two quick scores in the second half and pulled away for a 28-7 victory.

The game was tied 7-7 at halftime before the Panthers’ Antonio Orsini took the anticipation away from the outcome with two plays late in the third and early in the fourth quarter. The senior took a pitch from quarterback Jason Sweeney and ran 54 yards to break the tie.

“We put that play in during the week,” Orsini said. “We saw an opportunity for it, we had good blocks outside and it worked.”

Less than a minute later, Orsini intercepted Mt. Lebanon quarterback Seth Morgan on the near sideline, stayed in bounds and cut it back to the far side of the field for a 46-yard pick-six that broke the game open for Upper St. Clair.

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” Orsini said. “I decided to tip toe it, and I thought I had a chance at a return. Everybody on defense turned into blockers, and I found a lane and took it to the house.”

Orsini’s interception was one of three on the night for the Panthers.

Sweeney, a senior quarterback, also had a big game for Upper St. Clair, completing 15 of 23 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was sophomore Davis Pantelis, who had seven catches for 112 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown to start the scoring.

Sweeney also found tight end Harvey Rauch for a 2-yard touchdown to make the final score 28-7.

“We’re running a new offense,” said Orsini, who finished with 143 yards rushing on 25 carries. “The better the receiving game does, it opens it up and the better the running game does.”

Morgan scored the only touchdown for the Class 6A No. 5 Blue Devils (3-4) on a 1-yard sneak in the second quarter.

These two teams hadn’t played since Oct. 30, 2015, in a game which Mt. Lebanon won 34-21.

Friday’s win was the 11 ^th time in 13 meetings the Panthers (6-1) were victorious over their rivals.

“There’s been a lot a talk over the past few years,” Orsini said. “We haven’t played them since my freshman year. The win was huge. It’s a nonconference game, but it feels like the Super Bowl.”

Bob Orkwis is a freelance writer.

Tags: Mt. lebanon, Upper St. Clair