Mistakes cost Connellsville in non-conference loss to Latrobe
LATROBE – The Connellsville Falcons went on the road Friday night for a non-conference contest against the Latrobe Wildcats. The game started well enough with the Falcons taking an early 7-0 lead, but the Wildcats, came back with three straight scores, all by first year senior wide receiver Josh Brannan to beat the visitors, 20-7.
Brannan got the call because of an injury to starter Brent Heckel and hauled in two touchdown passes, ran for a score and also kicked two extra-points.
“Josh is still learning how to play the game,” Latrobe coach Pat Murray said. “We got him in tonight and his eyes were so big, because he was so excited. He’s coming along. He’s a tremendous athlete, and a great kicker and has great speed. He really made some big plays for us tonight.”
The Falcons took control of the game early.
After winning the toss, The Connellsville elected to receive. On the second play from scrimmage, Falcons quarterback Clay Hurley rolled to his right and found wide receiver Terrence McCrae in single coverage. McCrae was able to go overtop defensive back Ryan Goodman for the catch and turned it into an 87-yard touchdown. Joe Miller’s kick gave the Falcons a 7-0 lead.
“Mistakes cost us tonight, and we have a lot of improvements to make. We’re a little further behind than I thought,” Falcons coach Tom Dolde said. “I’m not disappointed with the loss, because it was not a conference game. I think this game should wake our kids up and show what they have to do to get better.”
Latrobe took the lead with two scores in the second quarter. The Cats first score came early in the quarter on a six-yard touchdown pass from Tony DeStefano to Brannan, capping an eight-play drive that started from their 35 late in the first quarter. The extra-point by Brannan tied the game at seven.
After stopping the Falcons on their next possession, Latrobe took over at the Falcons’ 43. Brannan ended the eight-play drive, running a reverse 10 yards for the score. He added the extra-point to give Latrobe a 14-7 lead, which held up until halftime.
Latrobe wasted little time jumping on the Falcons early in the third quarter. The Wildcats took the second half kickoff at their 35. Following a one-yard gain by Bill Aukerman, a penalty moved the ball back to the Latrobe 31. DeStefano once again connected with Brannan on a 69-yard scoring toss. Brannan missed the extra-point point, leaving the score at 20-7.
“DeStefano is a very good athlete and a very confident kid,” Murray said. “On the last touchdown to Josh he told me not to worry because he was going to put it right on the money for a touchdown, and he did.”
The Falcons continued to battle back in the third quarter, taking the ball at their 34 and driving to the Latrobe eight before giving the ball over on downs.
The Falcons made another run at the end zone in the fourth quarter. Starting at the Latrobe 43 following a short punt, the Falcons drove to the Wildcats five yard line before being turned away when a pass to the end zone on fourth down fell incomplete.
“I’m not disappointed but I think this loss brings us back to earth a little bit,” Dolde said. “Sometimes a loss will do more to improve a team than winning. Our kids need to learn with some disappointment, and learn how to recover. That’s what good teams do.”