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Oct 11, 2025 By Jonathan Guth 5 min read

After losing its first two league games by a total of five points, Belle Vernon earned its first Class 4A Big Six Conference game in a decisive 48-6 triumph over Laurel Highlands on Friday night at Mustang Field.

The Leopards suffered a 14-10 setback to Thomas Jefferson (2-1, 6-2) on Sept. 26 before a 36-35 loss at Chartiers Valley (2-1, 6-2) on Oct. 3.

“The last two weeks were tough for these guys, emotionally, and they’ve bounced back all year,” Belle Vernon coach Scott Bryer said. “We’ve had great practices, and I’m happy for them because they deserve this.”

Belle Vernon improved to 2-5 in overall play, as it battles for a spot in the playoffs. The Leopards host Ringgold (1-2, 4-4) next Friday and close the regular season against conference-leading Trinity (3-0, 4-4) on Oct. 24.

The top two teams in the three conferences in Class 4A will earn an automatic spot into the WPIAL playoffs, plus two wild-cards will be selected by the WPIAL football committee.

“The way we looked at it, last week would have been like our first playoff game after losing to TJ the first week,” Bryer said. “With only two teams making it, you really can’t lose another game, and then we go and lose, so now we are really in the spot where they are all like a playoff game and you have to win out.”

The Mustangs’ schedule doesn’t get any easier, as they will host the Hillers on “Senior Night” and finish their season against the Jaguars at Thomas Jefferson.

“We have been struggling a little bit because of the injuries,” Laurel Highlands coach Aaron Raffle said. “After tonight, we are probably down to 14 or 15 kids with injuries, and maybe even more than that. It is hard to overcome, once you get to that point, and especially if you are losing starters and other key players, which we have had that occur.”

Laurel Highlands (0-3, 2-6) surprised Belle Vernon with an onside kick to open the game, as Jackson Nairn recovered his own kick, but the Mustangs couldn’t get their offense in gear and was forced to punt.

Belle Vernon took over at its own 32 and scored on Curtis Wade’s one-yard run for a 7-0 lead at 5:58 of the first quarter after Preston Rathway made the first of two PATs. Wade’s score was set-up by a 38-yard pass from Wade to Anthony DiCenzo.

The Leopards extended their advantage to 9-0 on a safety when Laurel Highlands recovered a fumble in its own end zone with 4:52 left in the first period.

Belle Vernon received a free kick following the safety and Caleb Horner returned the kick 22 yards to the Mustangs’ 35-yard line.

Wade ran a quarterback option 29 yards into the end zone for a 15-0 lead with 3:52 left in the opening period.

The Leopards’ Chace Petrosky reached the end zone on an eight-yard run for a 21-0 advantage with :19.5 remaining in the first quarter.

Petrosky scored again on a 20-yard run at 10:23 of the second period. Horner returned an interception two yards into the end zone for a touchdown and the visitors increased their lead to 33-0 with 10:11 left before halftime.

Wade’s third touchdown, a 19-yard run, provided Belle Vernon with a 41-0 advantage after he ran in the two-point conversion at 3:36 of the second quarter.

Wade was 8 of 13 for 96 yards and rushed for 89 yards on 11 carries. DiCenzo pulled in five receptions for 87 yards. Petrosky had eight attempts for 62 yards.

Josh Reed recovered a fumble for Laurel Highlands with 1:53 left in the first half before pulling in a 28-yard reception from Gabe Centofanti at the Leopards’ 17-yard line.

Jonah Coleman caught a 17-yard pass from Centofanti and pushed his way into the end zone for a touchdown and Belle Vernon had a 41-6 halftime lead.

Coleman had an interception in the third quarter.

“We have a lot of freshmen that are playing varsity right now, and a handful of sophomores,” Raffle said. “They are getting that experience on Friday nights, and maybe it is a little too early for them, but they are learning what it’s like to be under the lights and under that kind of pressure. We had some guys that made plays tonight, but we just need to be more consistent.”

The Leopards’ Ean Tatar scored on a 45-yard run with 11:46 left in the fourth quarter.

DiCenzo and Jace Gedekoh had interceptions.

Bryer was glad to have some of his players get into the game and contribute.

“I think we only dressed 32 guys tonight, and the guys that got into the game after the starters went out have been giving us a great look in practice,” Bryer said. “It’s nice for them to be on the field on a Friday night, too. They deserve it, and it felt good to get them in.”