Connellsville ends drought in explosive win over Hempfield
FORT ALLEN -Connellsville ended its scoring drought Friday night, scoring more points in one night than it had all season. The Falcons went on the road for a Quad-East matchup with Hempfield and came away with a 30-16 win over the Spartans.
The look of relief on the face of head coach Dan Spanish told the story. The Falcons (2-7, 1-5) traveled a hard road the past four weeks, being outscored 168-3.
“I’m excited because our seniors continued to battle and work hard this season,” Spanish said. “I’m proud of them because they had great attitudes all year, and have given a great effort.”
The Falcons actually had a gift from the Spartans for their first score as punter Brian Higginbotham lined up to kick from his 21. The snap sailed over his head and through the end zone for a safety, giving the Falcons a 2-0 lead.
The Spartans (0-9, 0-6) kicked off to the Connellsville 35. David Show returned the kick 44 yards to the Hempfield-21. Matt Blackstone ran ahead for seven, and Justin Marsinko carried the last 14 yards for the score. Ben Popson’s PAT gave the Falcons a 9-0 lead.
Hempfield charged back on a 32-yard scoring pass from sophomore quarterback Mike Sedunov, to Jacob Hayden. The PAT by Adam Chatlos, pulled the Spartans to within two, making the score 9-7.
Show returned the next Spartan kickoff to the Falcons’ 35. Two runs by Marsinko and a one-yard plunge by Paul Micklow gave Connellsville a first down at its 45. Sophomore fullback Matt Blackstone found a hole on his left side and sprinted 55 yards for the score. Popson’s kick increased the Falcons’ lead to 16-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Hempfield pulled to within three of the Falcons just before the half. Marsinko had a pass tip off the hands of the intended receiver, Blackstone. The ball was intercepted by Hempfield’s Justin Sefchok at the Hempfield 38, and he returned it to the Connellsville 19. Sedunov then hit Sefchok on an 18-yard pass to the Falcon 2. Mike Marvis powered in for the score on the next play, with 13 seconds left in the half. The PAT by Chatlos was no good, as the Falcons took a 16-13 lead to the lockerroom.
“We had to face a little adversity this week, with several players out of the line-up,” Spanish said. “The players we put in tonight, stepped up their play. I felt the defense played an outstanding game, with several sacks and constant pressure on their quarterback.”
Connellsville picked up another score in the third quarter, taking the second-half kickoff from its 40. The Falcons marched 60 yards on eight plays with Marsinko completing the drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to Brent Wilson. Popson’s kick gave the Falcons a 23-13 lead.
Following the kickoff, Hempfield started at its 20 and drove 80 yards, settling for a 20-yard field goal from Chatlos to make the score 23-16.
Connellsville sealed the win in the fourth quarter. The Falcons’ Dwaine Berger, stripped Hempfield running back Evan Thompson of the ball and recover the fumble at the Spartans’ 42.
The Falcons ran nearly eight minutes off the clock on a 13-play drive that ended with a three-yard run from Blackstone. Popson’s kick ended the Falcon scoring.
“Overall, the kids have had a great attitude and effort all year,” Spanish said. “It’s always a positive thing to get a win. Now we have to prepare to battle for one more week, at home against Shaler”.