Cornell defeats Shenango in season finale
Shenango (8) vs. Cornell (34)
Written: Oct 31, 2008
By JOE SAGER
ncsports@ncnewsonline.com
CORAOPOLIS — Last night, the lights on the scoreboard didn’t really matter to Ryan Mayo.
It was the fire inside his players that ultimately concerned the Shenango High football coach.
Even though host Cornell stormed past the Wildcats, 34-8, in a crossover game on a bone-chilling evening at Frank Letteri Stadium, Mayo was happy with what he saw from the two dozen healthy Shenango players who made the trip.
“What we were hoping to get out of this game was more of a character test than anything else. We had 24 guys in uniform and we have lot more guys on our roster than that. You do the math; these 24 guys passed the character test,” he said. “So, regardless of the score, I am very proud of them. We had a few injuries; we had some guys who packed it up early and called it a year, too.
“It is what it is. I am proud of the 24 guys who showed up and played hard.”
The contest had no playoff implications since Cornell (2-8) and Shenango (3-7) were eliminated from postseason contention weeks ago. The ’Cats, though, wanted to play an extra regular-season contest to give more game experience to their younger players.
“I am taking all good things out of this. I knew going in to it, win or lose, that didn’t mean a whole lot. No one is going to get too excited about a win or too down about the loss,” Mayo said. “The extra practice was great and it was more about a character test and 24 guys passed that character test.
“By the end of the game, we had maybe one or two seniors on the field — tops,” he continued. “The young guys got a lot of reps and that’s great. It was a good experience for them. Overall, I am certainly glad we did it.”
Anthony Kosciuszko was one Shenango player to pass the test with flying colors. The sophomore running back rushed for 113 yards on 27 carries. He hauled in three passes for 44 yards and scored the ’Cats’ lone touchdown — a 9-yard scamper in the first quarter.
“I am super proud of Anthony. Not only did he play well, but he played hard for four quarters. That tells me right there that he is one of our leaders and he is one of the guys we’re building around,” Mayo said. “Anthony is a big part of our future. For him to play hard and with the character he did, in addition to his athletic ability, he is going to be a great leader for us.”
Christian Jackson, a senior, led the way for the Raiders. He rushed for 161 yards on only 11 carries and scored Cornell’s last three touchdowns on runs of 47, 36 and 30 yards.
“Christian had a nice game,” Cornell coach Dan Knause said. “It was nice to close the season with a win.”
The Raiders scored on their first possession of the game to post a 6-0 lead. However, Shenango retaliated with a touchdown of its own on the ensuing possession. Ryan Nesbit blocked a Cornell punt and the ’Cats took over on the Raiders’ 17. Two plays later, Kosciuszko reached paydirt from 9 yards out and Joe Colavecchia rushed up the middle for the two-point conversion and an 8-6 lead.
The hosts responded for 16 unanswered points in the second quarter to take command, 22-8, at halftime. Cornell came up with a big goal-line stand late in the second as Shenango had a first-and-goal at the Raiders’ 5-yard line with 20 seconds remaining, but failed to reach the end zone as time expired.
Early in the third quarter, the ’Cats encountered another goal-line stand. They ran four plays inside the 7, but came up empty.
Colavecchia, Shenango’s quarterback, left the game with an apparent knee injury following the turnover on downs. He and Rocco Nero were both hobbled on crutches after the game.
“I am not sure about Rocco’s injury. I know Joe injured his knee and hopefully it’s nothing too serious,” Mayo said.
SHENANGO CORNELL
8 First downs 18
145 Yards Rushing 326
4 Yards Lost 29
141 Net Rushing 297
10 Passes Attempted 5
4 Passes Completed 2
1 Passes Intercepted 1
63 Yards Passing 21
204 Total Yards 318
2-1 Fumbles-Lost 1-0
2-30.5 Punts-Average 0-0
6-35 Penalties-Yards 3-15
SHENANGO 8 0 0 0 —8
CORNELL 6 160 12 — 34
Scoring plays
CORNELL — Mark Rucker, 6-yard run (pass failed).
SHENANGO — Anthony Kosciuszko, 9-yard run (Joe Colavecchia run).
CORNELL — Mark Whitling, 6-yard run (Eddie Bretch pass from Jake Almassy).
CORNELL — Christian Jackson, 47-yard run (Almassy run).
CORNELL — Jackson, 36-yard run (run failed).
CORNELL — Jackson, 30-yard run (kick failed).
|