Lancers make most of opportunities against Kennedy
Neshannock (35) vs. Kennedy Catholic (0)
Written: Sep 05, 2009
By TODD KRISE
t_krise@ncnewsonline.com
Neshannock High football coach Pat Cuba has been harping ball security to his skilled position players the entire preseason.
So when the Lancers fumbled their season-opening kickoff last night against Kennedy Catholic, it was as if Cuba’s worst nightmare became a reality.
However, the Lancers gave their coach a nice wake-up call by forcing a quick three-and-out and producing three straight scoring drives — which translated into a 35-0 win over the visiting Golden Eagles.
“They just kind of responded,” Cuba said of the opening kickoff. “We weren’t happy about the fumble because that’s been an issue. To fumble the opening kickoff was upsetting. But they decided they were just going to play.
“I think Kennedy thought they were just going to run us over. We rose to the occasion. We did a good job.”
Neshannock, which finished 4-5 last season, earned its first win of 2009 with a dominating running game. Senior Chris Kirkwood gained a healthy 222 years on 35 carries and junior Erik Welker gathered 64 yards on 11 attempts. Overall, the Lancers outrushed the Golden Eagles 325 to 15.
Rushing plays were called on 11 of the Lancers’ first 12 snaps, which set up a 35-yard play-action-fake touchdown pass by quarterback John Sansone to running back Asa Davies for the game’s first score.
Neshannock’s second possession, which came after a Kennedy Catholic turnover, was much like its first. Four rushing plays set up another play-action toss by Sansone. This time senior Brad Siegfried was on the receiving end.
The Lancers then took a 21-0 lead in the second quarter on Kirkwood’s first of three touchdowns on the evening. Kirkwood, who only finished with five TDs a year ago, scored on a 1-yard dive in the second quarter and a 4-yard carry in the fourth quarter.
“We ran a lot of inside stuff,” Cuba said. “We basically just attacked them inside with dives and stuff like that. We threw a couple passes for touchdowns. We just drove the field. That’s what I was happy about.”
Cuba also was pleased with the play of his sophomore starting quarterback. Sansone, who sat out his entire freshman year due to injury, took his first snaps behind center since junior high. He finished the game 3-for-5 for 55 yards and two touchdowns.
“He played pretty good,” Cuba said of Sansone. “I thought he did a nice job, especially it being his first time out and a sophomore. He did a good job of controlling the game and making the right calls. I was very happy with him.”
The Lancers’ defense, which had to contend with big 6-foot, 255-pound fullback Richard Ellerbe all night, forced five turnovers. The offense turned those mistakes into 28 points.
Freshman defensive back John Conglose contributed two interceptions.
“Their fullback is like 250 pounds,” Cuba said. “They tried to spread us out and then try to run inside zone or outside zone so he could try to find the seam. But we just kind of got to him before he even got started.”
Cuba said last night’s game is a gauge of where his team stands. The Lancers will get their first big test of the season next week against highly touted Avonworth at home.
“It’s a good learning experience for us because I have a lot of younger guys,” Cuba said. “I’m impressed with these guys and it gives me a good indicator of where we can go and what we can do.”
KENNEDY ... NESHANNOCK
2 First downs 23
30 Yards Rushing 342
15 Yards Lost 17
15 Net Rushing 325
12 Passes Attempted 5
5 Passes Completed 3
2 Passes Intercepted 1
58 Yards Passing 55
73 Total Yards 380
3-3 Fumbles-Lost 4-2
3-35.7 Punts-Average 1-36
7-45 Penalties-Yards 6-40
KENNEDY CATHOLIC 0 0 0 0 — 0
NESHANNOCK 14 14 0 7 — 35
Scoring plays
NESHANNOCK — Asa Davies, 35-yard pass from John Sansone (Michael Molinaro kick).
NESHANNOCK — Brad Seigfried, 10-yard pass from Sansone (Molinaro kick).
NESHANNOCK — Chris Kirkwood, 3-yard run (Molinaro kick).
NESHANNOCK — Kirkwood, 1-yard run (Molinaro kick).
NESHANNOCK — Kirkwood, 4-yard run (Molinaro kick).
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