Central Catholic's defense delivered a historic performance on Friday night, holding rival North Allegheny without a touchdown for the first time in the series' history to secure a 21-6 victory. The Vikings' defensive line was instrumental, leading to two crucial goal-line stands in the fourth quarter that sealed the win.
The game, played on September 26, 2025, at North Allegheny, saw Central Catholic improve to a 5-1 record overall and 3-0 in their conference. The win marks Central Catholic's third consecutive victory over their Class 6A rival.
Key Takeaways
- Central Catholic defeated North Allegheny 21-6 in a Class 6A rivalry game.
- The Vikings' defense held North Allegheny without a touchdown for the first time in the history of their matchups.
- Central Catholic made two critical goal-line stands in the fourth quarter to protect their lead.
- Running back Roman Thompson scored two touchdowns, and Jaylen Alexander added a 53-yard scoring run for the Vikings.
- The victory improves Central Catholic's record to 5-1 and extends their winning streak against North Allegheny to three games.
Defensive Dominance Defines the Game
The story of the night was the Central Catholic defense, which completely neutralized the North Allegheny offense. For the first time ever in this long-standing rivalry, the Tigers were unable to score a touchdown. The defensive effort was a team-wide success, with multiple players making significant contributions.
Western Michigan commit Angelo Pugliano led the pass rush with two sacks. He was joined by a formidable group of Division I prospects, including UNC commit Ashton Blatt and Duke commit Colsen Gatten, who each recorded a sack and two tackles for a loss. Jaylen Smith and Roman Thompson also added a sack each.
A Historic Rivalry Moment
The rivalry between Central Catholic and North Allegheny is one of the most prominent in Western Pennsylvania's Class 6A football. North Allegheny had secured victories in 2022 and 2023, but Central Catholic has now answered with three straight wins, with this defensive shutout marking a new chapter in their competitive history.
Fourth Quarter Stands Seal the Victory
The Vikings' defensive strength was most evident in the final quarter. North Allegheny twice drove deep into Central Catholic territory, threatening to make it a one-score game. On the first occasion, a drive that reached the 2-yard line was stopped, forcing the Tigers to settle for a 25-yard field goal.
Later in the quarter, North Allegheny again marched inside the 10-yard line. With just 1 minute and 40 seconds remaining, the Central Catholic defense held firm on fourth down, forcing a turnover on downs and effectively ending the game.
"We knew they were a good team," said Duke commit Colsen Gatten. "They came down here to our own goal line. It just shows something about your defense and the culture all around."
The defensive players credited their cohesion and mindset for the success. "We’re a brotherhood," added Angelo Pugliano. "We were locked in, and our communication was there. Nothing was stopping us tonight. We’re on fire."
Offense Grinds Out Crucial Yards
While the defense stole the show, Central Catholic's offense provided the necessary points, primarily through a powerful running game. The offensive line created consistent running lanes, allowing the Vikings to control the clock and wear down the North Allegheny defense.
Running back Roman Thompson was the workhorse, carrying the ball 21 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns. He opened the scoring with a 6-yard run late in the first quarter and added a 10-yard touchdown in the third.
Controlling the Ground Game
Central Catholic's defense was particularly effective against the run, holding North Allegheny's primary running back, Luke Rohan, to just 40 yards on 2.4 yards per carry. This forced the Tigers into predictable passing situations, allowing the Vikings' pass rush to take over.
Jaylen Alexander provided a change of pace with his speed, rushing for 61 yards on seven carries. His 53-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was a pivotal moment, extending Central Catholic's lead to 21-3 and putting the game out of reach.
How the Scoring Unfolded
The game remained close in the first half before Central Catholic pulled away after halftime.
- First Quarter (7-0): After forcing a three-and-out, the Vikings started with good field position. Roman Thompson finished a 40-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.
- Second Quarter (7-3): North Allegheny got on the board with a 27-yard field goal from Ethan Marowich. The drive was extended by a roughing the passer penalty on an incomplete third-down pass.
- Third Quarter (14-3): Central Catholic started the second half with momentum. Nico Mager returned the opening kickoff 39 yards. A 34-yard pass from Owen Herrick to Aiden Nasiadka set up Thompson's 10-yard touchdown run.
- Third Quarter (21-3): Jayden Alexander broke through the defense for a 53-yard touchdown, giving the Vikings a commanding 18-point lead.
- Fourth Quarter (21-6): North Allegheny mounted a drive deep into Vikings territory, but the defense held. The Tigers settled for a 25-yard field goal by Marowich.
North Allegheny's final offensive push came after quarterback Brady Brinkley connected with Cam Kushner for a 48-yard gain. Despite reaching inside the 10-yard line, the drive ended with a turnover on downs against the unyielding Central Catholic defense.
UNC commit Ashton Blatt acknowledged the team's performance, stating, "We didn’t play our best game, but we came out with the W." He emphasized the team's core identity: "We’re always going to bring physicality, and that’s what we preach at Central."
