Penalties dash Neshannock hopes for victory
Neshannock (21) vs. South Side Beaver (34)
Written: Oct 05, 2009
Penalties led to the Neshannock High football team’s demise Saturday.
The Lancers committed 11 infractions as South Side Beaver pulled away for a 34-21 victory in a Big Seven Conference matchup.
“Penalties were our biggest problem,” Neshannock coach Pat Cuba said. “The referees kept calling holding penalties; I thought the officiating was atrocious.”
Neshannock (0-3 conference, 1-4 overall) hung in and was tied at 14 at the half. The Rams scored the next 20 points to put the game away, starting with a 78-yard run by Jordan Potts and a 21-14 buffer.
Luke Shaffer, who scored four touchdowns, increased the lead to 34-14 on runs of 83 and 79 yards. Shaffer recorded a game-high 221 rushing yards on 17 attempts. He also scored on a 5-yard run and a 93-yard fumble return.
“Luke had an incredible game,” South Side Beaver coach Jim Winner said. “I think that’s the best game he’s ever played and I totally believe he’ll improve on that.”
Said Cuba, “Shaffer is a good player. There were a lot of missed tackles, but he’s quick enough that if you don’t hit him, he’ll take it the distance.”
Lancers quarterback John Sansone posted a team-high 137 rushing yards on 24 carries and a touchdown. He also threw for 143 yards and a scoring pass to Nick Graziani. John Conglose closed the scoring with a 17-yard run in the fourth quarter for Neshannock.
Turnovers have plagued the Lancers in their four-game losing streak, including seven last week in a 36-0 loss to Laurel. However, Neshannock didn’t commit any miscues against the Rams.
“I think we got better and we did a good job of not turning it over,” Cuba said. “I told the kids if we don’t turn it over, we have a shot to win every game.”
Winner acknowledged the Lancers’ competitive play.
“Neshannock is a well coached team,” he said. “They were prepared and adjusted to things on the fly. Our coaches were really impressed with Neshannock.”
The Lancers return to action at 7 p.m. Friday at home against Western Beaver in conference action.
*****
NESHANNOCK SOUTH SIDE BEAVER
272 Net Rushing 275
19 Passes Attempted NA
10 Passes Completed NA
0 Passes Intercepted NA
143 Yards Passing 7
415 Total Yards 282
11- Penalties-Yards 6
NESHANNOCK 77 0 7 — 21
SOUTH SIDE BEAVER 7 7 7 13 — 34
Scoring plays
SOUTH SIDE BEAVER — Luke Shaffer, 5-yard run (Dan Slaney kick).
NESHANNOCK — Nick Graziani, 24-yard pass from John Sansone (Michael Molinaro kick).
SOUTH SIDE BEAVER — Shaffer, 93-yard fumble return (Slaney kick).
NESHANNOCK — Sansone, 11-yard run (Molinaro kick)
SOUTH SIDE BEAVER — Jordan Potts, 78-yard run (Slaney kick)
SOUTH SIDE BEAVER — Shaffer, 83-yard run (Slaney kick)
SOUTH SIDE BEAVER — Shaffer, 79-yard run (kick failed)
NESHANNOCK — John Conglose, 17-yard run (Molinaro kick)
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