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Turnovers Decide Clash Between Serra, N. Catholic
By Jason A. Mignanelli
The Tube City Almanac
August 27, 2022
Posted in: Sports
Turnovers decided the clash between two defending WPIAL football champions on Friday night in Haler Heights, as North Catholic defeated McKeesport’s Serra Catholic 37-14 in a non-conference game.
North Catholic begins this season as the reigning WPIAL AAA champions, but has moved up to WPIAL AAAA for this upcoming season.
Serra Catholic won the WPIAL Class AA championship last year and will continue play in WPIAL AA. Friday night was Serra’s first game defending their title.
“North Catholic played a great game,” said Mike Anitori, longtime statistician for Serra Catholic. “I’m not taking anything away from them. However, the game could be summed up as a battle of poor field position and turnovers by Serra Catholic.”
In the first quarter, North Catholic scored two points on a safety when Serra Catholic’s running back was tackled in the endzone on a screen pass.
The second-quarter scoring started off with a 10-yard touchdown run by North Catholic junior running back Samir Ware. The extra point was kicked and converted by Rylee Kumer.
Ware’s touchdown was later followed by a Jason Siket quarterback scramble of 33 yards into the endzone for North Catholic’s second score of the second-quarter. The extra point was again converted by Rylee Kumer.
The score was 16–0 in favor of North Catholic at the half.
The third-quarter scoring began with North Catholic junior Gavin Kamody catching a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Siket. The extra point was converted by Rylee Kumer.
Serra Catholic finally got on the board in the third quarter with a nine-yard touchdown run by senior running back Mike Schankk. The extra point was blocked.
North Catholic senior running back Chase Arrington had a four-yard touchdown run to close out the scoring in the 3rd quarter.
At the end of the 3rd quarter the score was 30–6 in favor of North Catholic.
The fourth-quarter scoring began with a Jack Fennel 24-yard touchdown for North Catholic. Rylee Kumer again successfully converted the extra point.
Serra Catholic finally scored in the fourth quarter on a five-yard run by quarterback Quadir Stribling. The two-point conversion was successful on a pass from Stribling to junior wide receiver Jesere Young.
Serra Catholic committed six turnovers in the game to North Catholic’s two. “Three of Serra Catholic’s six turnovers came on interceptions while Quadir Stribling tried to get something going on offense to make a comeback,” said Anitori.
Serra will need to focus on getting their first win of the season in another tough matchup next week at Seton-LaSalle. North Catholic takes on Shady Side Academy at home next week.
Jason A. Mignanelli is a freelance writer from Pittsburgh’s North Hills and a student at Duquesne University. He may be reached at mignanellij@duq.edu.
Originally published August 27, 2022.
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