BVA wins, looks ahead to TJ showdown
By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
After a big win, Belle Vernon Area head coach Matt Humbert usually tells his team to enjoy it for a day or two before returning to practice.
Not this week.
Minutes after his team blasted West Mifflin, 45-0, in a Class 4A Big 8 Conference matchup, Humbert told his players he doesn’t want them to enjoy this win. A workman-like mentality needs to be the priority to prepare for what the Leopards have been waiting for.
A showdown with Thomas Jefferson.
Belle Vernon Area (2-0, 2-0) wasted no time putting up points against the Titans (0-2, 0-2), scoring a touchdown just 23 seconds in. They added another just over two minutes later and the rout was on from there.
Dane Anden opened the game with a 74-yard kickoff return to set up the first score, his 4-yard reception from quarterback Devin Whitlock.
After forcing the Titans to go three-and-out on the next drive, it was Whitlock’s turn. The electrifying playmaker bobbed and weaved his way through the Titans’ coverage and returned the ensuing punt 55 yards for a touchdown to give Belle Vernon a 14-0 lead with more than nine minutes to go in the first half.
“Dane’s return really started things off,” Humbert said. “He’s a guy that I think gets overlooked a lot for what he does for us. It’s nice to see him have the game he did. We’re not the type of team that’s going to hand it off to the tailback 25 times a game, so when he gets his carries he has to make things happen.”
Anden did just that on the Leopards’ beach Friday.
Anden finished with 118 yards on 11 carries and added a 30-yard touchdown run just before halftime to go along with his touchdown catch. He added an 11-yard run in the third quarter for his third touchdown of the game.
The Leopards had no issues neutralizing West Mifflin defensive end Nakhi Johnson, a Pitt recruit.
“It’s simple, you just run away from him or get him crossed up with some things,” Humbert said. “I thought we did a good job. I think he only had one big tackle for loss on us.”
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