Bethel Park blanks South Fayette, 3–0

South Fayette Township HS Tuesday, Aug 26, 2025. From kickoff, Bethel Park set the tone: win the first duel, claim the second ball, play forward early. The Black Hawks pressed South Fayette's buildup, broke into the channels, and finished clinically for a 3–0 road win. South Fayette tried to counter and threaten on set pieces, but Bethel Park's back line and keeper managed the box, kept runners tracked at the back post, and saw out the clean sheet.    Xavier Jackson (#27, Bethel Park) is a pace-first forward who accelerates with the ball and carries at speed to stress center backs. He likes it at his feet, opens his hips to attack the inside lane, and can separate in the first three steps; once past the line, he keeps his head up to share the ball with quick wall passes, slip-throughs, and squared cuts to trailing runners. He scans well (“looks everywhere”), checking shoulders before receiving and finding the weak-side option after a burst. Off the ball, he times diagonal runs across the back line and presses with intent to trigger turnovers high.     Karthi Kandappan (#3, South Fayette) played as a left winger and consistently punished the opposing right back with pace and 1v1 dribbling. He accelerates quickly with the ball, drives the outside lane to the end line, and mixes in aerial forward passes, clipped balls into the channel, or lofted diagonals after drawing pressure. First touch stays tight at speed, and he keeps his head up to square or cut back once he's past the fullback. Off the ball, he times blind-side runs and arrives back post when play comes from the right.     Thomas Opferman (#5, Bethel Park) is a steady, vocal defender who cuts out attacks early and restarts play cleanly. He reads through-balls well, steps to intercept before contact, and wins shoulder-to-shoulder duels without fouling. On the ball, he keeps the team organized: quick reset to the 6, firm passes to fullbacks, or a simple switch to change the point, no panic. His communication is constant, sliding the back line, calling marks on set pieces, and leading the group's shape in transition.     Alex Renk (#2, South Fayette) is a direct, transition-minded midfielder who turns wins into 40–50-yard carries from midfield to forward lines. First touch opens his hips to stride into space; he shields well at pace and keeps his head up to slip the wide runner, combine with the 9, or punch a through ball when the back line backpedals. He's positive, always looking to step up and advance the block, then continues his run to arrive late at the top of the box. Defensively, he triggers the press with good angles and recovers quickly to screen counters.     John Busalacchi (#22, Bethel Park) profiles as a modern, all-phase forward, strong and explosive, able to beat defenders off the dribble, press aggressively, link play, and finish. He pins center backs, shields cleanly, and bounces quick one-twos to advance the block; when play breaks, he explodes into channels and carries at pace to turn transitions into shots or squared cut-backs. First touch is purposeful, head up, with enough passing range to slip runners or switch the point from the half-space. In the box, he strikes through the ball with power and attacks aerials.

South Fayette Township HS Tuesday, Aug 26, 2025. From kickoff, Bethel Park set the tone: win the first duel, claim the second ball, play forward early. The Black Hawks pressed South Fayette's buildup, broke into the channels, and finished clinically for a 3–0 road win. South Fayette tried to counter and threaten on set pieces, but Bethel Park's back line and keeper managed the box, kept runners tracked at the back post, and saw out the clean sheet.