Latrobe upends Connellsville, 42-7
The Wildcats (1-1, 2-2) were able to break the big plays in the second half to pull away from the Falcons for a 42-7 win to keep the Falcons winless on the season. Latrobe wide receiver Ryan Laduke caused the most damage on the night with touchdown receptions of 18 and 25 yards. He also had a 54-yard scoring run and returned a punt 85 yards for another score.
The Falcons (0-2, 0-4) managed to keep the game close in the first half, as the Wildcats edged out to a 14-0 lead at the half. The Wildcats edged out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when they started at the Falcons 49 and covered 51 yards on four plays the last one an 18-yard scoring toss from Eric Shaffer to Laduke. Joe Dado followed with the first of his six extra-point kicks on the night.
The Falcons defense was able to slow the Wildcats down until late in the second quarter. Connellsville started their second drive of the quarter at the Latrobe 48, however penalties pushed them back to their own 39. On a second and long, the Wildcats Jeff Kerila intercepted a Cole Lowman pass at the Latrobe 44. On the first play from scrimmage, Brad Burkley raced 56 yards through the heart of the Falcons defense for the score as the Wildcats held a 14-0 lead at the half.
“I have to give Connellsville credit, they had a very good defensive game plan,” Latrobe coach Pat Murray said. “Their defense was set up to stop our passing game, and we should have run the ball more effectively, but they played us pretty tough up front. Laduke had a fantastic game for us tonight. That punt return was tremendous.”
Latrobe picked up two more scores in the third quarter. Shaffer scored on a 12-yard run to end an eight-play 64-yard drive. Dado’s kick made the score 21-0.
The Falcons were forced to punt on their next series. Nathan Alberts’ kick drove Laduke back to his 15 where he made an over the shoulder catch. He then managed to find the far sideline in front of the Latrobe bench and raced 85 yards for the score increasing the Wildcat lead to 28-0.
The Falcons fought back and gave the home folks something to cheer about when they avoided the shutout. They took the ensuing kickoff at their 35 and drove to the Latrobe 46, from where they executed a double-reverse with Sean Keefer going in for the score. Matt Jaynes kick made the score 28-7.
“The big plays hurt us tonight, but overall I don’t think we played too bad,” Falcons coach Lou DeSimone said. “We keep hurting ourselves with penalties and little mistakes. I told the kids to keep playing hard and keep hitting and I felt they did that.”
Latrobe put the game away in the fourth quarter with two more scores. Laduke scored on a 25-yard pass from Shaffer and again on a 54-yard run on a reverse.