Unblemished Tigers remain unbeaten at 8-0

Photo by Mike Longo Jr.

Moon Quarterback Tyler McGowan hands the football off to Running Back Dylan Selva.

WPIAL FOOTBALL WEEK 7

MOON 16, UPPER ST. CLAIR 13

By Mike Longo Jr.

Catch a glimpse of the back of a Moon Tigers football helmet and you see the inscription, “CHASING GREATNESS.” Now at 8-0 for the season after beating Upper St. Clair (USC), the Tigers seem to be staying true to their mantra.

Before the Oct. 15 matchup with USC, it had been 17 years since the Moon Area team reached 7-0. That 2004 streak, however, came to an end with a loss in week seven to rival West Allegheny.

This year’s week seven matchup was destined to end differently.

The Panthers have a storied history on the gridiron, proud and strong. However, the Tigers showed they have some strength of their own, much of which was channeled through 6-foot-3-inch, 225 pound running back Dylan Sleva, who punished defensive players with his smashmouth running style. As a linebacker on the defensive side of the ball, Sleva also carried the pigskin 29 times.

Holding onto a 14-13 lead in the final minutes of the game, the Tigers defense chased down the Panthers quarterback in the endzone for a safety, adding a small cushion in their lead. After the free kick from USC, Sleva took a handoff from Quarterback Tyler McGowan at the 14-yard-line and raced 57 yards down the sideline. That run all but sealed the victory after one last defensive stand by the Tigers, as they claimed win number eight to remain unbeaten.