TJ's defense put an end to 'Canes' big-play capabilities
New Castle (0) vs. Thomas Jefferson (42)
Written: Nov 19, 2016
 By Joe Sager
New Castle News
PITTSBURGH — Big plays propelled the New Castle football team to Heinz Field.
Once it got there Friday night, though, the Red Hurricane did not capitalize on them in a 42-0 loss to Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL Class 4A championship game.
New Castle (8-5) came through with the game’s first big play on the Jaguars’ first possession. Devin Sams broke through the line and blocked Thomas Campbell’s punt. Thomas Jefferson (12-0) recovered, but the ‘Canes took over the ball on the Jaguars’ 6,
After a negative rushing play and a false start penalty, Virginia recruit Zane Zandier intercepted a pass at the goal line and returned the ball to the 12 to end the scoring threat. It turned out to be New Castle’s best scoring chance of the night.
“I thought TJ, throughout the course of the year, showed that resilience in the red zone,” New Castle coach Joe Cowart said. “We saw that through the course of the playoffs quite a bit. People were able to move the ball inside the 20, but not really able to capitalize on moments. That’s a testament to how good they are defensively. We certainly felt we missed some opportunities early, which maybe makes it a different ballgame.”
The Jaguars scored early in the second quarter and it appeared to be a 7-0 game heading into halftime. However, Thomas Jefferson capitalized on its next big play. Noah Palmer, charging around the end, tipped Geno Stone’s screen pass attempt, settled it in his grasp and bolted 20 yards into the end zone for a 14-0 edge with 57 seconds left in the half.
“Whenever you have a turnover for a touchdown, it’s a big play just because of the energy that it gives the opposing team. You don’t want to spot them one and it felt like we spotted them one walking into halftime. Certainly, it was a big moment, but not a killer,” Cowart said. “Championship-quality teams have answers and we didn’t have enough answers. Tip your cap to a very well-coached football team with a bunch of very skilled players. It wasn’t a surprise they made a big play because they’ve done that throughout the course of the season. I think we were slightly surprised we weren’t able to answer where we had answers over and over again throughout the course of the playoffs.”
On the first drive of the second half, the Jaguars marched 52 yards with ease to push the score to 21-0. The dagger came when Bobby Kelly found Zandier on a 43-yard pass to set up another touchdown and a 28-0 lead with 3:41 left in the third.
Thomas Jefferson’s defense contained New Castle’s big-play weapons on offense. Stone, who had five touchdowns in a 38-17 semifinal win over Ringgold, was held to minus-5 yards rushing. He completed 1 of 13 passes for 18 yards. Marcus Hooker did not much have much running room, either, as he was limited to 19 yards on 12 carries. Marshane McElroy had the team’s biggest gain of the night — 22 yards — on a double reverse play.
“It was a little frustrating to me (we couldn’t get much going),” Stone said. “Their front line was so fast and physical and we didn’t match that at all. That was a big factor in the game.”
The ‘Canes’ offense, which put up 987 yards in its last two games, was limited to 63 against the Jaguars.
“That’s the best football team we’ve played and we think we’ve played some good football teams throughout the course of the season,” Cowart said. “They were physically imposing. We didn’t do a good enough job on both sides of the ball taking the fight to them. Not only are they a big and physical team, but the speed at which they play is impressive with the size they have. They really do a good job getting off the ball and creating penetration on the defensive side and getting to the second level on the offensive side.
“South Fayette knew what we were doing. Ringgold know what we were doing and TJ did, too. Tip your cap to Thomas Jefferson for the game plan they had and the execution they had.”
(Email: ncsports@ncnewsonline.com)
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