Quinton Martin and Rodney Gallagher put on absolute shows as Belle Vernon beat Laurel Highlands 41-20.
After a three and out by Laurel Highlands, a dropped snap on the punt was recovered by the Leopards and Belle Vernon had great field position for its first possession at the Mustangs 23. Quinton Martin would take a handoff for 23 yards for a touchdown and Belle Vernon opened up a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Belle Vernon forced another three and out for Laurel Highlands second possession of the game and they had to punt again. This time Belle Vernon started the drive at the Mustangs 45 yard line and were able to drive the ball to the Laurel Highlands 9 yard line where they would be faced with a 4th down and 8. The Leopards went for it on 4th and 8 and they turned to their star back as Martin rushed in for his second score of the game as the Leopards took a 14-0 lead about halfway through the first quarter.
Laurel Highlands moved Gallagher to quarterback after he was at wide receiver the first couple of drives and they put together their best drive of the first half. Gallagher had a great run for 14 yards to the Belle Vernon 1 yard line on the first play of the second quarter, but the Belle Vernon defense stood strong as they stuffed the Mustangs on four straight run plays capping off an 18 play drive that fell one yard short for Laurel Highlands.
After a Belle Vernon fumble at their own 46 yard line Laurel Highlands tried to put a drive together but a huge sack from Braden Laux set Laurel Highlands back 15 yards and the drive stalled out on another three and out for the Mustangs.
The Leopards connected on some pass plays on this drive as Laux hit Chase Ruokonen for a big gain to the 13 yard line. A half the distance penalty for helmet to helmet contact moved the ball to the 7 setting up first and goal for the Leopards. Quinton Martin capped off the drive with his third touchdown of the first half, a wildcat direct snap for 8 yards out as Belle Vernon took a commanding 21-0 lead at halftime.
Laurel Highlands tried to execute a surprise onside kick to begin the second half but Belle Vernon recovered it at the 50 yard line and had great field position. They moved the ball on 5 plays 55 yards and Tanner Moody capped off the drive with a 3 yard touchdown to extend the lead 28-0 Belle Vernon.
Gallagher would connect on two straight passes to Keondre DeShields, one for 16 yards and another for 25 yards to the Belle Vernon 11. After three straight stops by Belle Vernon it was 4th and 12 at the 13 yardline. Laurel Highlands would go for it as Gallagher moved to his left, broke a tackle and then moved back to his right and on the run threw a pass to DeShields in the end zone for a jump ball touchdown. Belle Vernon's lead was cut to 21 with 3:48 to play in the 3rd quarter.
Belle Vernon added on to the lead on a Laux quarterback keeper for the touchdown, the extra point was not successful and the Leopards took a commanding 34-7 lead in the 4th quarter.
Gallagher would connect with DeShields again for a 68 yard bomb all the way to the Belle Vernon 5 yard line. DeShields caught a 5 yard strike from Gallager for his second touchdown of the game cutting the score 34-13 Belle Vernon.
DeShields caught his third touchdown of the game this time from 30 yards out cutting the Belle Vernon score to 34-20.
With 2:09 to play in the game Laux put the game away with a 44 yard keeper all the way to the end zone.
Martin finished the game with 63 yards and 3 touchdowns on 10 carries. Gallagher threw for 100 yards on 9 completions and 3 touchdowns. DeShields had 3 touchdowns on 10 catches for 177 yards. Laux went 8-15 for 96 yards and also ran for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns.
