Published Friday, Sept. 5, 1997
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Farrell: Quips no joke
Steelers set for war vs. AA Aliquippa
REYNOLDS VISITS HICKORY IN MCAC CLASS AA PAIRING
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer
Farrell High head football coach Lou Falconi won't need any pep talk to get his team fired up for tonight's showdown against visiting Aliquippa.
Although it is not a league contest, there may not be a bigger game on the Steelers' (1-0) schedule this fall, at least until the playoffs. Last year Farrell eked out a 6-3 overtime victory over the 'Quips (1-0).
After Aliquippa's Zappula Lewis connected on an 18-yard field goal, Farrell's Willie Evans notched the game's only touchdown by falling on a fumble in the end zone.
If that win wasn't enough to fuel the fire between the two teams, during a basketball game at Farrell, a near-riot broke out resulting in player suspensions and coaches' probations.
The 2-time defending PIAA Class A champion Steelers _ the No. 1-ranked team in the state, according to the Harrisburg Patriot-News _ opened the '97 slate with an impressive 36-0 win over Kennedy Christian. Unveiling a new-found devotion to the passing game, quarterback Rennie Gash was 7 of 19 for 121 yards and 2 TDs. And like late last year, Jason Kennedy led the ground attack, rushing for 83 yards on 13 attempts and a pair of scores.
Meanwhile, in a 21-7 win over Ambridge last Friday, Dawain Lockett scored twice to pace the 'Quips. His second score was on a 41-yard run. Via the victory, the 'Quips moved up to the No. 5 spot in the state Class AA rankings.
In other games tonight, all with 7:30 p.m. starts:
Sharon (1-0) at Grove City (0-1)
Sharon is still savoring a goal-line stand with seconds left which preserved a 28-22 win over Ohio's Ursuline. Conversely, the Eagles are trying to erase the memories of a disappointing 14-0 loss to former coach Clair Altemus and his Pine-Richland Rams.T.J. Phillips, one of the top backs in the area last season, started the season with a 217-yard, 3 TD performance for the Class AA Tigers. Quarterback Jeff Valentino complemented him nicely, scrambling six times for 75 yards and a score, and completing 9 of 16 passes for 101 yards.
The all-around effort moved the Tigers from eighth to fourth, according to the Patriot-News.
Grove City quarterback Justin Bell was just the opposite, throwing four interceptions. The Class AAA Eagles also coughed up a fumble deep in the Rams' zone as turnovers proved costly.
The Eagles actually outgained the Rams in total yardage, 244-133, led by Anthony Errera's 70-yard performance.
Reynolds (0-1) at Hickory (1-0)
After 22 months on the road, Hickory plays the second of seven home game on its '97 slate against Mercer County Athletic Conference AA rival Reynolds.The Hornets are coming off the impressive win over Brookfield in which coach Guy Gibbs used a stable of running backs, including Terrance Gash (10 carries, 119 yards, 2 TDs), Tony Pozar (13-88, TD) and Antuane Cornelius (10-77, TD) led the way.
In one of the county's best rivalries, Greenville shut out Reynolds, 27-0, to spoil coach Roger Shoaff's debut, as Reynolds managed just 71 total yards.
West Middlesex (0-1) at Wilmington (1-0)
Class A West Middlesex and first-year coach Rick Resatar are sure to have a tough go of it against Wilmington, the state's No. 1 Class AA team.Last year West Middlesex fell victim to part of Wilmington's 8-shutout streak to open the season, as Wilmington toppled the Big Reds 53-0.
But this year, coach Terry Verrelli and the 'Hounds don't have to worry about a long defensive streak. Laurel scored last week, but just once, as Wilmington rolled to a 28-6 over the then-No. 4 team in the state.
The 'Hounds ammassed 307 total yards, led by QB Todd Smargiasso, who completed 8 of 10 attempts for 198 yards and a TD, and Doug Dudash, who led the ground attack with 56 yards on 9 carries.
A week ago, Union romped over the Big Reds, 38-8, but Jon Misinay was a bright spot for West Middlesex after gaining 92 yards on 11 carries.
Mercer (0-1) at Slippery Rock (0-1)
This MCAC interclassification matchup features two teams who need a win to jump-start their season after disappointing debuts.The Class AA Mustangs fell at Shenango, 49-14. Phil Erdos and Tom Golden (8 carries, 28 yards) prevented a shutout by scoring for Mercer in the fourth quarter.
Class AAA Slippery Rock took on Mohawk and fell, 33-7. Adam Kniess scored the Rockets' lone TD, rushing in from 20 yards out in the second quarter. Sophomore Gregg Grupp made his first start at quarterback and went 5 of 13 for 69 yards.
Conneaut Lake (0-1) at Sharpsville (1-0)
Unranked in the state entering the season, the Class A Blue Devils find themselves ninth in the Commonwealth heading into Week No. 2 after a 38-0 blanking of Union City.This week, Sharpsville kicks off against another FCVC foe. In the last two years, the Blue Devils are 6-2 against the FCVC.
Sophomore running back Justin Napotnik led Sharpsville with a 4-touchdown performace on 12 carries and 98 yards, while brother John Napotnik shined as well, completing 10 of 14 passes for 198 yards and 2 TDs.
Conneaut Lake lost 21-6 to Cochranton, though Jason Morrell had 27 tackles.
Brookfield (0-1) at Girard (0-1)
Brookfield was in somewhat of a no-win situation in its opener against Hickory, which was playing its first home game in 22 months and rolled to a 33-14 victory.Brookfield did show brief spurts of promise and was just a couple of turnovers away from making it a game, and will take that into its game against Girard.
Sophomore fullback Jason Sanata had 57 yards on 14 carries in his Warriors' debut, but had two fumbles. Also making his debut for Brookfield was QB Steve Blasko, who came from Springfield Local along with coach Jeff Bruno. He scrambled 13 times for 60 yards and a score and completed 10 of 20 passes for 79 yards.
Girard began the season with a 40-0 defeat at the hands, er, paws, of the Liberty Leopards. Pat Pearson led Liberty with 11 carries for 51 yards.
Cambridge Springs (1-0) at Lakeview (0-1)
Lakeview gave first-year coach Jim Walter an auspicious debut, falling to Linesville, 38-6.Quarterback Jeremy English (4 of 17, 60 yards) hit Mark Kaltenbaugh for a 7-yard TD for the Sailors' only score.
Cambridge Springs, the '96 District 10 Class A champ and the French Creek Valley Conference's top team, won 17-0 over Conneaut Valley, as quarterback B.J. Borsa ran for a TD and threw for another.
Meadville (0-1) at Greenville (1-0)
Greenville's Joe Korcinsky picked up where he left off last year, gaining 130 yards on 17 carries and notching 3 TDs. It was more than enough as his Trojans romped over Reynolds.Now up for the Class AAA Trojans is Northwest Conference AAAA power Meadville, which lost to McDowell, 55-14, in its lidlifter.
Cleve. East (0-1) at Hubbard (1-0)
Hubbard cruised to a 35-13 95PREVIEW 3victory over Canfield and was aided by a 4 TD-performance by surprise fullback Carmen Tanferno.While Canfield was watching star running back Frank Harris, who scored on a 90-yard interception return, Tanferno scored on runs of 52, 32, 9 and 4 yards and finished with 207 yards on 16 carries.
Harris added 78 yards on 13 attempts.
SATURDAY
LaBrae (0-1) at Kennedy (0-1)
Outmatched in its first game of the season against Farrell, Kennedy Christian hosts a squad that fell to Ashtabula, 37-7, in its opener.Scott Renninger led the Golden Eagles with 51 yards against Farrell. After a long offseason of work, QB Shawn McClure reaped the benefits by completing 8 of 21 passes for 91 yards, with his big target being Cody George, who hauled in 5 catches for 59 yards.
