Spartans tune up for playoffs with win
Laurel (28) vs. Shenango (7)
Written: Oct 26, 2013
 By Dan Irwin
New Castle News
Following up a disappointing loss with a meaningless game probably isn’t the best way to get refocused for the playoffs.
Fortunately for Laurel High, the Spartans didn’t have to do that.
“When Shenango plays Laurel, it’s never meaningless,” Spartans coach Pat Cuba said after his team dispatched the Wildcats 28-7 in each school’s Class A Big Seven Conference finale. “Shenango did a great job of preparing their kids; their kids came ready to play.”
The traditional backyard rivalry helped ward off any emotional hangover the Spartans might otherwise have had following last week’s 28-17 loss to conference champion Sto-Rox, even though Laurel’s third-place conference finish was locked in prior to kickoff.
Still, there were a few doldrums for the Spartans, who finished 6-2 in the section and will take a 7-2 overall record into the postseason. They fumbled the ball five times, losing two, and were flagged for two personal fouls and an unsportsmanlike conduct with the game all-but decided in the fourth period.
“We looked like we were playing at the middle or beginning of the season instead of the end,” Cuba said. “We played a lot better last week as far as being physical and stuff.
“I don’t think we took them lightly, I just think Shenango came ready to play.”
As has been the case much of the season, Shenango (1-7, 2-7) slowed Laurel’s ground game initially, but was burned through the air. Spartans quarterback Josh Dando completed 9 of 16 passes for 112 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 101 yards on 19 carries.
“They were really packing the box to try to take away the run game, and they did a great job,” Cuba said. “Sometimes I beat my head against the wall and finally say, ‘We’ve got to loosen up and throw the ball a little bit.’
“And thank goodness Josh is a pretty good quarterback, he can throw the ball.”
Joseph Haybarger caught four Dando passes, including two for touchdowns. Prior to last night, Haybarger had five receptions and one TD for the entire season. Additionally, seven of his nine total catches have come in Laurel’s last two games.
“We’ve thrown to him (Haybarger) once in a while, but Joe stepped up tonight,” Cuba said. “That’s what it’s been with this team, they’re not selfish, everybody’s kind of taking their turn. One guy falters, another guy steps up.”
Laurel also scored on a 27-yard pass from Dando to Spencer Pullium and a 1-yard Dalton Rosta run.
Shenango’s lone touchdown, which briefly tied the score at 7-7, came on a 22-yard halfback pass from Anthony Prestopine to Ryley Ferrari.
Making a surprise start at quarterback for Shenango was senior Brian Tanner, who injured his shoulder four weeks ago and was believed lost for the season. His resilience in working his way back into the lineup for Senior Night was a metaphor of sorts for the Wildcats’ 2013 season.
“The last two weeks we had to play playoff teams and the kids fought them as long as they could,” Shenango coach Mike Commesso said. “Even though we didn’t get wins, I thought we finished strong. Nobody was giving up, nobody was quitting.
“I thought we had a good last two weeks of practice, and that’s hard to do when you’re not winning. So I’m proud of our kids for the way they finished.”
(Email: d_irwin@ncnewsonline.com)
LAUREL SHENANGO
16 First downs 11
212 Yards Rushing 121
28 Yards Lost 37
184 Net Rushing 84
16 Passes Attempted 12
9 Passes Completed 3
0 Passes Intercepted 0
112 Yards Passing 29
296 Total Yards 113
5-2 Fumbles-Lost 3-1
4-37.5 Punts-Average 7-26.7
6-58 Penalties-Yards 7-60
LAUREL 7 14 7 0 — 28
SHENANGO 7 0 0 0 — 7
Scoring plays
LAUREL — Spencer Pullium 27-yard pass from Joshua Dando (Noah Wertz kick)
SHENANGO — Ryley Ferrari 22-yard pass form Anthony Prestopine (Curtis Schotsch kick).
LAUREL — Dalton Rosta 1-yard run (Wertz kick)
LAUREL — Joseph Haybarger 3-yard pass from Dando (Wertz kick)
LAUREL — Haybarger 2-yard pass form Dando (Wertz kick)
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