Eagles Ready for Showdown With 3–0 Burrell

Team coming off thrilling 35-34 comeback over Wash High Prexies

By Jason A. Mignanelli
The Tube City Almanac
September 16, 2022
Posted in: Sports

The Serra Catholic High School Eagles will look to keep their momentum alive tonight when they host the Buccaneers of Burrell High School under the lights in Haler Heights.

Last Friday, a thrilling three-minute series of plays helped the Eagles score 21 unanswered points on their way to a miraculous comeback that helped Serra defeat the Prexies of Washington High School 35–34.

The Eagles’ offense was spearheaded by sophomore quarterback Quadir Stribling, who was 11-18-1 with 185 yards passing. Senior running back Mike Schanck rumbled into the endzone for 2 touchdowns on 12 carries while amassing 93 yards on the ground.

Michael Betler, Serra Catholic associate head coach, wasn’t surprised by the comeback.

“Our older players have been in this position before. We have been up by two touchdowns and down by two touchdowns, and we preach to never quit,” said Betler.

The three-minute thriller began in the third quarter after Washington went up 28-14. The Serra Catholic offense answered with a touchdown, then scored again to start the fourth quarter and immediately following that score the defense created a turnover and scored putting Serra Catholic back on top 35-28.

With just over a minute remaining in the game the Prexies scored and tried a two-point conversion to win the game. The Serra Catholic defense wasn’t having it. They held their ground stopping the conversion and eventually sealing the victory for the Eagles 35-34.

The biggest obstacle that Serra Catholic faced on the evening was trying to contain Washington running back #7 Tyrell Dunn.

“He was really good, but our guys definitely could have tackled better on the first level. We kept missing the first tackle leading to bigger gains than they really should have been. Not too mention we nearly missed two interceptions also,” said Betler.

Senior wide receiver Amire Spencer caught six passes for 126 yards and one touchdown. This marks the second time in as many weeks that Spencer has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in receiving.

Senior Elijah Ward also broke the 100-yard mark in receiving with seven catches for 102 yards.

The Serra Catholic coaching staff is happy to be heading into conference play with a winning record.

“Non-conference is all about figuring out who we are. We are happy to have a winning record, but now the real work begins,” Betler said.

Not only were the three non-conference games great for the coaching staff, but the players also learned a lot.

“They played against some very good competition early in the year and that should prepare our kids to battle in each game of our conference schedule,” Betler said.

In other local scores, the East Allegheny Wildcats were handed a bad loss 42-7 by Elizabeth Forward on Friday night bringing their record to 2-1 on the season. They host South Allegheny tonight.

The 3-0 McKeesport Tigers won a close game 14-6 vs Belle Vernon last Friday night. They will take on a 2-1 Laurel Highlands team on the road in Fayette County.

Originally published September 16, 2022.

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