Leopards wear down New Castle in 49-6 win

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

Belle Vernon Area prides itself on defending the beach and ringing the bell, and there was no way the Leopards’ seniors were going to be upset Friday on their gold turf.

The Leopards (9-1) fell behind after an early turnover, then scored 49 unanswered points behind physical football and big plays by their seniors to knock off No. 6 seed New Castle, 49-6, in a WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal.

“The whole message the past two weeks has been ‘Defend the beach,’” BVA coach Matt Humbert said. “We pride ourselves in our culture and the last thing these seniors wanted to do was get upset in their final game on this turf.”

Jared Hartman completed 5 of 6 passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns to break Josh Cramer’s program record for touchdown passes in a season. He also broke the record for yardage in a single season, which also belonged to Cramer, and now has 1,530.

“It really means a lot to break the records,” Hartman said, surrounded by his entire offensive line. “I’m just out there playing football. 

“It means everything to do it with this group and go over and ring that bell after a win.”

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