PITTSBURGH — The Meadville Bulldogs defeated the USO Eagles, 40-12 at Cupples Stadium on Saturday, Nov 12 in a state playoff qualifier.
Playing in the rain, Meadville relied on a triple option attack. Senior running back Brady Walker dove up the middle from one yard out to give Meadville a 6-0 lead on their opening drive. Slick conditions caused the point-after snap to slip away from the holder.
USO forced a three-and-out, but a muffed punt gave Meadville a first down at the opposing 39. This time Meadville called halfback Khalon Simmons’ number, and he went right end for a nine-yard touchdown. A failed two point try made it 12-0.
Eagles DB Jaden Duckett picked off a pass at midfield and returned it to the 25. USO turned to the wildcat to jumpstart their offense. RB/LB Tarell Allen-Tooks dropped the snap, recovered it, and managed to score a 14-yard touchdown on the play.
Allen-Tooks broke up the left sideline for a 69-yard carry on the next drive, but Meadville stiffened to force a turnover on downs. Meadville drove deep into Eagles territory, but a botched trick play ended the drive and the half.
The Bulldogs scored first out of the half on an 11-yard touchdown run by Walker. Meadville tried a surprise onside kick, but USO recovered it in plus territory. A lost fumble ended the scoring threat, but Meadville gave the ball right back with a fumble of their own.
USO went three-and-out, but the punt didn’t make it back to the line of scrimmage. Lineman Jaeden Anderson picked it up and ran 59 yards for a rain-assisted big man touchdown to close the deficit to 18-12.
Meadville took a 26-12 lead to open the final frame on a 7-yard end-around by Simmons. Senior HB Amarri Lewis added the two-point tote.
USO sophomore Xair Stevenson picked off a pass with five minutes to go to give the Eagles a chance.
Meadville’s Nicholas Williams returned the favor, intercepting a tipped pass and returning it 31 yards for a touchdown. The Bulldogs led 34-12 after a two-point pass.
Walker added a 79-yard touchdown to put the game on ice. USO’s season ends, while Meadville (11-1) advances to face Juniata (8-3).
Elsewhere in the City League, Allderdice’s (4-7) season ended after a 42-15 loss to McDowell on Friday. Westinghouse (11-0) defeated Berlin 59-7 and will host the winner of Central Clarion and Brookville next weekend.
