Brashear Routs Westinghouse, Remains Unbeaten In City League

Before the start of the 2011 football season, many thought that the Pittsburgh City League would be a tight race. With teams like Allderdice and Perry predicted to have strong seasons, the winner of the conference would have a tough road to the top. 

But it’s been the Brashear Bulls who have made the biggest statement so far through the first month of the season, and they continued their impressive stretch tonight with a convincing 31-0 victory over the Westinghouse Bulldogs.

The Bulls’ defense had led the charge so far this season, stacking the line, forcing turnovers, and taking advantage of opposing teams’ mistakes.  

A similarly common theme of Brashear’s 2011 campaign has been a struggling offensive line, a young and inexperienced group that has been victimized through their first trio of games.

“We have a lot of experience on the field on defense and in our skill positions,” Head Coach Rick Murphy said. “Our offensive line is young, but we’re improving every week. We’re getting better, that’s for sure.”

Tonight, against Westinghouse, the Bulls looked more polished on the offensive line, opening holes for running backs and holding their own against the Bulldogs’ pass-rushers.

Brashear took the lead in the first quarter on a 29-yard touchdown scamper by senior running back Joell Nesbit. The extra point attempt failed, but the Bulls were on the board, 6-0.

Westinghouse’s offense struggled all night against a stifling Bulls’ defensive attack. Junior running back Soloman Winton, who came into tonight’s contest with a City League-leading six touchdowns, was held in check throughout, as the Bulldogs’ line was unable to create any substantial holes for him.

Nesbit, who also plays linebacker, and Desaun Roberts suffocated the Westinghouse’s running game, while senior cornerbacks Manny Reed and Jamil Smith caused havoc in their passing attack.

The Bulls added to their lead in the second quarter with a safety as well as a 20-yard field goal by senior kicker Matt McHugh.

At halftime, Brashear held an 11-0 lead.

In most high school games, the most significant adjustments are made in the locker room at halftime, making the first few minutes of the third quarter a major momentum shifter. Tonight, Brashear put the game away in the third period, rolling off 20 points on the Bulldogs, using both offense and defense to score points.

Senior Dom Patterson got the scoring started for Brashear with his 38-yard touchdown return on a blocked punt to stretch the score to 18-0. 

“Scoring a touchdown on defense is a game-changing play,” Murphy said. “It was a huge momentum swing in our favor.”

The rest of the quarter belonged to senior running back/linebacker Tre Gaines, who rolled off touchdown runs of 14 yards and 1 yard respectively to increase the lead to 31-0.

“Our philosophy has been to concentrate on one game at a time,” Murphy said afterward. “We’re playing well right now, and we’re going to need to continue to play well if we’re going to be in the hunt in November.”

After a difficult loss to Knoch to open up the season, Brashear has won three straight and is undefeated in the City League standings. 

In three conference games this season, the Bulls have allowed a total of 23 points.

“We do a great job of altering what the offense wants to do,” Murphy said. “We were flying the ball all over the field, forcing them to do things a little out of their comfort zone.”

While the defense continues to be dominant, the once-struggling offensive line made major improvements tonight. If the team continues to improve, the rest of the City League could be in trouble.

For now, though, the Bulldogs will take the victory and get ready for next week.