Oct 15, 2006 By Kevin Harrison For The 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The Geibel Catholic Gators honored their seniors Saturday afternoon, and hosted the Monessen Greyhounds in a Tri-County South Conference match-up. The Greyhounds, needing a win to stay in the playoff hunt, put up 27 points in the first quarter and proceeded to run away from the Gators for a 47-0 win.

The Greyhounds (3-1, 4-3), spending most of the afternoon in Geibel territory, got touchdown runs from running back Cordero Jackson of 17 and 49 yards.

The Gators (0-5, 0-7), managed to put together one drive in the second half against the Greyhound reserves, but were turned away at the Monessen 11.

“We did what we had to do today, and got some scores early, and was able to get some our younger kids in,” Monessen’s Andy Pacak said. “You’ve got to respect Geibel. They keep coming back every week. They don’t put their heads down, they keep trying. We’re happy to get the win, but right now we’ve got to turn our attention to winning the last two games to get at least a share of the conference title and a playoff berth.”

Monessen benefited from great field position in the first half. The Gators were forced to punt on their first series after receiving the opening kickoff. However, the punt only went to their 17, and Jackson needed one play to put the Greyhounds on top. The extra point by Roger Brandemarte made the score 7-0.

Geibel fumbled on its next possession and the Greyhounds recovered at the Geibel 28. Five plays later Jo Jo Heath scored on a 10-yard run. The extra point failed making the score 13-0 in favor of Monessen.

Geibel started its next drive at its 30. Will Pearson intercepted a pass from Mick Betler, and Monessen took over at the Geibel 36. Fullback Shelton Payne then rumbled through the heart of the Gators defense for a 36-yard scoring run increasing the Greyhound lead to 20-0.

On its next possession, Geibel, facing a third and long from its 16, tried a quick kick, but the punt only traveled 10 yards, giving Monessen the ball at the Gators 26. Monessen quarterback Adam Caputo covered the distance in two carries giving the Greyhounds a 27-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Monessen added to its lead on the first play of the second quarter when Nicholas Bell scored on a 10-yard run. Brandemarte’s kick made the score 34-0.

The Gators made a break for themselves following their next possession. After they were forced to punt, they recovered a Monessen fumble at the Greyhounds 48. However, the Gators fumbled on the next play and the Greyhounds took over at the Geibel 43. A penalty moved Monessen back to the Geibel 49, where Jackson was able to take the next carry and weave through the Gators’ defense for his second score of the day.

On the ensuing kickoff, Geibel took over at its 25. The Gators fumbled again on their first play from scrimmage and Monessen’s Joulian Sepesky scooped up the loose football at the Gators 16 and went in for what would be the game’s final points on the day.

In the fourth quarter, facing a turning clock because of the “Mercy Rule,” Geibel got the ball at the Greyhounds 30, and drove to the five, but the Greyhounds defense stiffened, throwing the Gators back to the 11 to end the threat and secure the shutout.