Mohawk unable to keep pace with Panthers
Mohawk (0) vs. Riverside (27)
Written: Sep 22, 2012
By Patrick E. Litowitz
New Castle News
Riverside found its offense’s ignition switch last night, while Mohawk fought through the pangs of youth.
Senior running back Brent Mulneix’s two second-quarter touchdowns carried the Panthers to their first win with a 27-0 decision against the host Warriors.
The teams are each 1-3 overall and 1-2 in WPIAL Class AA Midwestern Conference action.
“We finally got our team back,” Panthers coach Tom Liberty said. “For the last three weeks, we never had the same team on the field.”
Using with a mixture of junior varsity and varsity players, Riverside was routed in its losses to Beaver Falls, New Castle and Aliquippa.
“We’ve had no practice with the offense we came out of camp with,” Liberty said. “We’ve had no opportunity to have any continuity.”
Riverside’s first two possessions of the second quarter reversed the trend.
Facing a fourth-and 11 on the Mohawk 36, quarterback Devin Kelosky completed a 21-yard pass to Matt Tedys. Two plays later, Mulneix rammed through the middle of the line for a 10-yard touchdown.
The Warriors punted the ball in the following series after gaining seven yards.
Following an incomplete pass and 4-yard loss rushing, Kelosky connected with Mulneix for a 69-yard score.
“They came out ready to go, and they got the first shot in,” Warriors coach Joe Lamenza said. “The momentum went their way, and we couldn’t seem to get the momentum back.
“They didn’t show us anything tonight we weren’t prepared for. They just did a better job of executing.”
Riverside’s defense forced Mohawk to punt nine times. The squad limited the Warriors to three first downs, one completed pass and 57 net rushing yards.
“There were too many missed blocks and too many missed tackles,” Lamenza said.
The closest Mohawk’s offense could get to Riverside’s end zone was the Panthers 34.
“Our kids don’t give up, but that’s part of having a young football team,” the Warrior coach said. “We still have a lot of 10th-graders out there. Most of them are first-year starters.”
Kelosky added a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter. Bob Gould finished the offensive surge with a 60-yard scamper in fourth quarter.
Shane McFarland rushed 17 times for 42 yards to lead the Mohawk offense. McFarland also intercepted a Kelosky pass.
(Email: plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com)
RIVERSIDE MOHAWK
14 First downs 3
300 Yards Rushing 86
26 Yards Lost 29
274 Net Rushing 57
14 Passes Attempted 5
4 Passes Completed 1
1 Passes Intercepted 0
135 Yards Passing 4
409 Total Yards 61
3-1 Fumbles-Lost 3-0
3-27.6 Punts-Average 9-35.1
3-30 Penalties-Yards 3-25
RIVERSIDE 0 14 6 7 — 27
MOHAWK 0 0 0 0 — 0
Scoring plays
RIVERSIDE — Brent Mulneix, 16-yard run (Anthony Meneice kick).
RIVERSIDE — Mulneix, 69-yard pass from Devin Kelosky (Meneice kick).
RIVERSIDE — Kelosky, 4-yard run (kick failed).
RIVERSIDE — Bob Gould, 60-yard run (Meneice kick).
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