Laurel bound for playoffs after win over New Brighton
Laurel (27) vs. New Brighton (14)
Written: Oct 22, 2016
The Laurel High football team is headed to the playoffs.
The Spartans benefited from three interceptions to down host New Brighton 27-14 and clinch a WPIAL Class AA playoff berth Friday night.
Laurel forced a total of four turnovers and recovered all four of its own fumbles in the Class 2A Midwestern Conference matchup.
Spencer Jones and Jesse Pacifico each went over 100 yards rushing on the night for Laurel (4-3 conference, 6-3 overall), as the Spartans threw the ball just seven times in adverse weather conditions. Jones rushed for 118 yards on 17 carries and Pacifico rushed for 102 yards on 11 carries.
Pacifico also added two interceptions and one fumble recovery in the game. Defensive back Phillip Telesz also had an interception for the winners.
The Spartans racked up 315 total yards on offense, 294 of which came on the ground. New Brighton (1-5, 2-6), however, decided to attack the Laurel defense via the air. That moved proved to be costly. The Lions threw the ball 20 times but completed just 11 for 104 yards. Of those nine incompletions, three were interceptions which helped swing the game in the Spartans' favor.
Laurel plays host to Carlynton next Friday night in its final regular-season contest.
LAUREL NEW BRIGHTON
11 First downs 17
294 Net Rushing 163
7 Passes Attempted 20
1 Passes Completed 11
0 Passes Intercepted 3
21 Yards Passing 104
315 Total Yards 267
4-0 Fumbles-Lost 2-1
2-32.0 Punts-Average 1-34.0
8-66 Penalties-Yards 3-15
LAUREL 13 0 6 8 — 27
NEW BRIGHTON 7 0 0 7 — 14
Scoring plays
LAUREL – Jesse Pacifico, 1-yard run (Andrew Perry kick).
NEW BRIGHTON – Ashton Fath, 27-yard run (Austin George kick).
LAUREL – Pacifico, 39-yard run (Kick failed).
LAUREL – Spencer Jones, 9-yard run (Run failed).
LAUREL – Jake Collier, 3-yard run (Phillip Telesz run).
NEW BRIGHTON – Tyler Williams, 1-yard run (George kick).
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