Defense steps up for Lancers
Neshannock (49) vs. Bentworth (13)
Written: Nov 07, 2015
  By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News
Interceptions. Fumble recoveries. Sacks.
Add a trio of pick sixes into the equation and it equalled quite a recipe for success for the Neshannock High football team’s defensive unit Friday night.
The Lancers picked off five passes, recovered a fumble, made close to 10 sacks and returned three of the interceptions for touchdowns in a 49-13 WPIAL Class A first-round playoff win over Bentworth at Bob Bleggi Stadium.
“We had to get after the passer. Boy, did we ever get after the passer,” said fourth-year Neshannock coach Fred Mozzocio of his team’s formula for success. “Our front three and our outside backers, they got after (the Bentworth quarterback).
“He took so many hits. I don’t know how he stayed in the football game. It was a courageous effort by (Josh Hughes). We had to hit him about 25 times, square.”
Hughes finally got knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter on a hard tackle.
The Lancers (9-1) advance to meet Jeannette (9-1), a 27-7 winner over Chartiers-Houston, on Friday at a time and site to be determined.
The win also extended the Lancers’ home winning streak to 24 straight games dating back to the 2011 season. The senior class capped its career with a 22-0 record at home.
“It’s an amazing feat by them to play somewhere at any school for four years and not ever lose on your home football field. It’s quite an accomplishment,” Mozzocio said. “It’s been a team effort from start to finish. These seniors, they not only went out and never lost a home game here, they also have more wins under their belt than anybody ever to play Lancer football.”
Hughes was picked off by Neshannock’s Mason Davison on the second play of the game. Davison dashed in 30 yards for the touchdown and Essa Barhoum added the conversion kick for a 7-0 lead. The defensive line penetrated Bentworth’s offensive line and Hughes’ attempt at a screen pass was easily picked off by Davison.
On the second play following Davison’s score, it was Danny Welker’s turn. Welker intercepted Hughes and raced 42 yards for a touchdown. Barhoum again converted the extra point and it was 14-0 just 1:37 into the contest.
“We were very confident. I knew we were just going to keep rolling at that point,” said Lancers lineman Sean Doran.
Doran dominated Benthworth’s offensive line throughout the game. Mozzocio estimated Doran had six or seven sacks and about 15 tackles.
“Ty Sear and Mason Davison were flat out getting after it along with Sean,” Mozzocio said. “It was a dominating performance by those three young men all night.”
Said Doran, “We just came out sticking. We were hitting well on all cylinders and we played well on defense. We were just getting penetration. The coaches were working on it all week and we just did what our coaches told us. It worked for us.”
Frank Antuono hooked up with Sear on a 42-yard scoring pass and Barhoum again kicked the conversion for a 21-0 buffer with 1:10 to go in the first period.
Robert Lindsey put the Lancers up 28-0 when he picked off another Hughes aerial and dashed 40 yards for a score with 8:03 to go in the first half.
“I was just at the right spot at the right moment,” Lindsey said. “I made the catch and I had blocking.
“We focus on defense a lot in practice. That’s our main focus. We try to stop everybody from scoring.”
Neshannock ran just 16 offensive plays in the first half because of the defense’s knack for pilfering Hughes’ passes and returning them for scores. But it wasn’t just the interceptions that kept Bentworth’s offense out of rhythm. The Lancers limited the Bearcats to -25 rushing yards in the first half and -13 for the game.
“Shout out to the D line for sure,” Lindsey said. “They were putting pressure on the quarterback and they were stopping the run. They were forcing them to throw. Our secondary and the linebackers were making all the plays.”
Neshannock’s offense got going in the third quarter courtesy of Lindsey. He scampered in for scores on jaunts of 32 and 15 yards in the third period to put the Lancers up 42-6 and initiate the mercy rule.
Lindsey finished with 76 rushing yards on six carries and two toting touchdowns. He added two interceptions, including one returned for a score.
“When I get the ball, I just try to do all I can,” Lindsey said.
Jonah Vitale put the Lancers up 49-6 on a two-yard run in the fourth before the Bearcats tacked on a late score.
Last year, Neshannock reached the WPIAL semifinals with a 46-32 decision over Jeannette at Deer Lakes.
“Jeannette is a quality program, over 700 wins. A storied tradition,” Mozzocio said. “When myself and my staff came here, these are the things that we talked about. These are the games that we wanted to get our team to play in, to experience the excitement.
“And not only to get to those games, but to win those games. We’re looking forward to another great matchup with Jeannette. It will be a classic again.”
(Email: rponiewasz@ncnewsonline.com)
BENTWORTH NESHANNOCK
16 First downs 16
48 Yards Rushing 242
61 Yards Lost 10
-13 Net Rushing 232
37 Passes Attempted 10
22 Passes Completed 4
5 Passes Intercepted 0
253 Yards Passing 84
240 Total Yards 316
2-1 Fumbles-Lost 4-1
4-35 Punts-Average 3-31.7
6-39 Penalties-Yards 9-112
BENTWORTH 0 6 0 7 — 13
NESHANNOCK 21 7 14 7 — 49
Scoring plays
NESHANNOCK — Mason Davison, 30-yard interception return (Essa Barhoum kick).
NESHANNOCK — Danny Welker, 42-yard interception return (Barhoum kick).
NESHANNOCK — Ty Sear, 42-yard pass from Frank Antuono (Barhoum kick).
NESHANNOCK — Robert Lindsey, 40-yard interception return (Barhoum kick).
BENTWORTH — Riley Nickeson, 4-yard pass from Josh Hughes (kick blocked).
NESHANNOCK — Lindsey, 32-yard run (Barhoum kick).
NESHANNOCK — Lindsey, 15-yard run (Barhoum kick).
NESHANNOCK — Jonah Vitale, 2-yard run (Caitlin Trotta kick).
BENTWORTH — Ty Mitchell, 12-yard pass from Ben Peternel (Levi Jordan kick).
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