On a wet and cold Friday night, the football team hosted Upper St. Clair with playoff seeds on the line. The close foe Upper St. Clair came into the game (8-1) and tied for first in the Allegheny Eight Conference, while Bethel (5-3) was in fourth place after a tough loss the week before.

The final score ended up 20-14 with your Black Hawks coming out on top. In the first quarter, Bethel took the lead 14-0 after touchdowns from running backs Luke Surunis and Sean McGowan, and they never trailed again.

Upper St. Clair tried to rally back after a touchdown in the third quarter, but Bethel responded with one of their own after a Tiger Burkes’ touchdown.

Upper St. Clair scored one more time in the fourth quarter, but Bethel’s defense held off the late comeback and guaranteed the win.

Top performer Sean McGowan finished with 230 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

He said, “I couldn’t have done it without the line, those guys played great up front. Especially our left guard who filled in.”

Also, fellow running back Luke Surunis played a big role in the passing game with three receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown.

After the big win, Bethel Park (6-3) finished third in the Allegheny Eight Conference, while Upper St. Clair dropped to fourth place, despite their (8-2) record.

This week begins the much anticipated WPIAL playoffs, where No. 8 seed Bethel Park will take on No. 9 seed Franklin Regional in a home playoff game on Friday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m.