Root steps up big in ’Cats’ win over Rochester
Shenango (49) vs. Rochester (21)
Written: Sep 13, 2014
By Kayleen Cubbal
New Castle News
Tyler Root was on fire for the Shenango High football team last night.
Root, a junior tailback, rushed for 232 yards on 13 carries in the Wildcats’ 49-21 rout of Rochester in Big Seven Conference action at the Wildcats’ field.
Shenango is now 2-1 in the conference, 2-1 overall. The Rams, who are coached by former Wildcats star Gene Matsook, fell to 0-3 and 0-3.
Root had an early 54-yard run called back because of a penalty, enabling Rochester to strike first. Shenango, though, tied the score at 7-7 early in the second quarter on a 1-yard run by quarterback Evan Kendall and kick by junior Dylan Kleckner. It was Kleckner’s first of 7 successful PAT kicks on the night, which set a school record.
Root’s 59-yard run put the Wildcats up 14-7, but Rochester tied it before the half.
With 8:41 left in the third quarter, the score remained tied. Over the next four minutes, Shenango scored four times, three following fumbles by the Rams.
Root scored on a 62-yard run, Jason Wallace on a 25-yard run, Hunter Waskin on a 3-yard run and Root on a 40-yard run.
“I thought the game was going to go down to the wire, but the turnovers changed it in the third quarter,” second-year Wildcats coach Mike Commesso said. “I give credit to the kids for cashing in on the turnovers. Without that, it is a close game.”
Wallace closed the scoring for the Wildcats with a 36-yard reception from Kendall.
Shenango finished with 346 yards net rushing and 410 total yards. Wallace followed Root with 61 yards on 10 carries.
“I am really excited for the program and the kids,” Commesso said. “It really feels good to beat Rochester.
“This was a breakout game for Tyler Root,” he added. “He is very quick and did a good job of following his blockers.”
The Wildcats play a nonconference game at home with Avonworth on Friday night, knowing they are now in a race for a playoff spot. Commesso hopes his charges have turned the corner from the hard-luck group that lost to the Rams 32-27 a year ago.
“Last year against Rochester, we had the turnovers and it cost us,” Commesso said. “This year, they had them and we were able to take advantage. It feels good to be on the right side of that. We’re feeling pretty good right now.”
(Correspondent Gaylord Muny contributed to this story).
ROCHESTER SHENANGO
9 First downs 10
240 Net Rushing 346
9 Passes Attempted 4
6 Passes Completed 2
0 Passes Intercepted 0
60 Yards Passing 64
300 Total Yards 410
4-4 Fumbles-Lost 1-1
3-31.7 Punts-Average 1-34
6-45 Penalties-Yards 4-27
ROCHESTER 7 7 7 0— 21
SHENANGO 0 14 28 7—49
Scoring plays
ROCHESTER — Ishmael Tucker, 1-yard run (Alex Kouba kick).
SHENANGO — Evan Kendall, 1-yard run (Dylan Kleckner kick).
SHENANGO — Tyler Root, 59-yard run (Kleckner kick).
ROCHESTER — Montrail Strozier, 5-yard run (Kouba kick).
SHENANGO — Root, 62-yard run (Kleckner kick).
SHENANGO — Jason Wallace, 25-yard run (Kleckner kick).
SHENANGO — Hunter Waskin, 3-yard run (Kleckner kick).
SHENANGO — Root, 40-yard run (Kleckner kick).
ROCHESTER — Austin Johnson, 4-yard pass from Christian Vreen (Kouba kick).
SHENANGO — Wallace, 36-yard pass from Kendall (Kleckner kick).
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