Knights find McElroy 'Knoch-ing' at their door in 'Canes win
New Castle (42) vs. Knoch (14)
Written: Oct 15, 2016
By Clayton Sauertieg
New Castle News
Marshane McElroy scored not one, not two, but three touchdowns for the New Castle High football team Friday night.
The senior wide receiver helped to break open the Red Hurricane's game at WPIAL Class 4A Northwest Nine opponent Knoch, leading it to a 42-14 victory.
The 'Canes (4-2 conference, 5-3 overall) got off to a fast start as running back Lorenzo Gardner found the end zone from 36 yards out to put them up 7-0 less than four minutes into the contest. But the Knights (1-5, 1-6) answered right back with a 4-yard touchdown plunge from 6-foot-4, 240-pound quarterback Mac Christy to the knot the score at 7-7.
The score remained tied until midway through the second quarter when New Castle quarterback Geno Stone found wide receiver Marcus Hooker in the back of the end zone to give the 'Canes a 14-7 lead. Then McElroy took over. The Red Hurricane playmaker broke open from 36 yards out on a post route and Stone hit him in stride, allowing him to walk into the end zone and give New Castle a 21-7 advantage heading into the half.
The intermission did nothing to slow McElroy down, as he found the end zone twice more in the third quarter, both on 18-yard runs. The scores helped the 'Canes to a 42-7 lead and they didn't look back from there. Knoch running back Jayden Renfrew score a late touchdown in the fourth to cut the lead to 42-14, but the result was never in doubt.
"Marshane's a senior and we've just been waiting for him to have a big game," New Castle coach Joe Cowart said. "Tonight was his night. He did everything he needed to do as a cornerback, as a receiver and as running back. The kid was electric tonight and we needed him."
The win sets the 'Canes back on the right track following consecutive losses to conference opponents Mars and South Fayette. They now will look to gain momentum as they host non-conference opponent Ringgold next Friday night.
"We were just focused on getting better, and we need to get better," Cowart said. "I thought we took a step forward here tonight but we're going to have to play better football next week against Ringgold."
Cowart also commented on the status of Stone, who came into the game nursing an ankle injury and didn't play for much of the fourth quarter.
"Geno's got an ankle (injury). It's that time of the year a little bit where guys start to get banged up. But I was pleased with our 'next man up' mentality and with guys being able to step in. I thought our guys did a fantastic job as the game wore on."
Knoch coach Mike King said that his team struggled with the speed of the New Castle skill position players and various looks that the 'Canes' offense present throughout the contest.
"You have to defend all parts of the field with them," he said. "You can't just defend the interior and you can't just defend the exterior you have to have to defend all parts of the field the way they come at you."
(Email: csauertieg@ncnewsonline.com)
NEW CASTLE KNOCH
14 First downs 7
224 Yards Rushing 151
5 Yards Lost 5
219 Net Rushing 146
18 Passes Attempted 15
9 Passes Completed 8
1 Passes Intercepted 1
160 Yards Passing 40
369 Total Yards 186
2-0 Fumbles-Lost 2-2
3-37.0 Punts-Average 3-39.3
13-85 Penalties-Yards 6-40
NEW CASTLE 7 14 21 0 — 42
KNOCH 7 0 0 7 — 14
Scoring plays
NEW CASTLE – Lorenzo Gardner, 36-yard run (Brayden Cartwright kick).
KNOCH – Mac Christy, 4-yard run (Matt Gore kick).
NEW CASTLE – Marcus Hooker, 8-yard pass from Geno Stone (Cartwright kick).
NEW CASTLE – Marshane McElroy, 36-yard pass from Stone (Cartwright kick).
NEW CASTLE – McElroy, 18-yard run (Cartwright kick).
NEW CASTLE – McElroy, 18-yard run (Cartwright kick).
NEW CASTLE – Garrett Farah, 35-yard pass from Stone (Cartwright kick).
KNOCH – Jayden Renfrew, 19-yard run (Gore kick).
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