Dando sets record in Laurel romp
Shenango (7) vs. Laurel (48)
Written: Oct 27, 2012
By Patrick E. Litowitz
New Castle News
As Laurel High’s offensive line pounced and paved last night, teammates Josh Dando and Dalton Rosta dashed and scored.
Dando, a junior quarterback, collected 312 yards and scored on runs of 93, 60 and 34 yards as Laurel smashed Shenango 48-7 in WPIAL Big Seven Conference play. Rosta, a junior running back, broke into the Wildcats end zone on runs of 7 and 5 yards while gaining 103 yards.
Dando now holds the school’s single-game rushing mark, according to Spartans coach Jerry Holzhauser.
“It’s a great last win for us,” he said.
Holzhauser credited his team’s offensive domination to the play of its line, which uses a rotation of seniors Conor Melichar, Cody Clem and Dillon Malcolm; junior Aaron Vanasco; and sophomores Antonio Pasquale, Sean Harlan and Kyle Brightshue.
“They executed their blocking schemes perfectly at times,” the coach said. “The blocking by the receivers was good.
“It had to be for us to run the ball as well as we did. It’s a credit to all of them.”
Rosta’s two touchdowns had Laurel (4-4 conference, 5-4 overall) up 14-7 against the visiting Wildcats when the line set up the game’s shiing moment.
Jake McDougal intercepted Shenango quarterback Anthony Prestopine at the half-yard line. He slipped at that spot and the Spartans were in a hole.
“When a kid sees the back in the air, he’s going to go for the interception,” Holzhauser said. “They don’t see yard lines. It’s a great play on his part.”
Dando carried the ball to the Laurel seven on the play after the interception. On the next down, he busted out for a 93-yard score.
“We ran a midline option, and our guys just blocked them,” the junior said. “I got close to the fullback, and there was a lane up the field.
“Their guys didn’t even know where the ball was. That helped me. They were running right past me.”
Clem, a senior guard, sees the offensive line being a key to next season’s success.
“I think we’ve got some of the best linemen,” he said. “They’re young and they don’t stop. They won’t let up.”
James Steele and Will Hughes added to the offensive bombardment on runs of 4 and 1 yard, respectively.
“It’s been a rough season for us,” Holzhauser said. “Some seniors had injuries, and it’s been tough on them.”
“We wanted to get a win for our seniors,” Dando said. “We’re confident about next year.”
Shenango (2-6, 3-6) scored in the second quarter when Prestopine fired a pass to Michael Thompson that covered 64 yards.
Prestopine completed 14 of 25 passes for 159 yards and one interception. Thompson pulled in six passes for 111 yards.
(Email: plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com)
SHENANGO LAUREL
10 First downs 16
54 Yards Rushing 442
11 Yards Lost 4
43 Net Rushing 438
25 Passes Attempted 4
14 Passes Completed 1
1 Passes Intercepted 0
159 Yards Passing 18
202 Total Yards 456
2-2 Fumbles-Lost 2-0
5-34 Punts-Average 1-26
2-30 Penalties-Yards 5-35
SHENANGO 0 7 0 0 — 7
LAUREL 7 13 22 6 — 48
Scoring plays
LAUREL — Dalton Rosta, 7-yard run (Noah Wertz kick).
LAUREL — Rosta, 5-yard run (Wertz kick).
SHENANGO — Michael Thompson, 64-yard pass from Anthony Prestopine (Ronald Davis kick).
LAUREL —Josh Dando, 93-yard run (kick failed).
LAUREL —Dando, 60-yard run (Rosta run).
LAUREL —James Steele, 4-yard run (Wertz kick).
LAUREL — Dando, 34-yard run (Wertz kick).
LAUREL —Will Hughes, 1-yard run (kick failed).
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