Datz runs, passes Scotties to 37-13 victory over Raiders
ALVERTON — Dakota Datz put together 329 all-purpose yards to lead Southmoreland to a 37-13 Interstate Conference win over Waynesburg Central on Friday.
Datz rushed for 223 yards and four touchdowns and passed for 106 yards while sophomore teammate Jake Pisula rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns.
After being held on downs at the Waynesburg Central 13 on the opening drive, Southmoreland (1-3, 1-4) scored on five of it’s next six possessions and capitalized on three of four lost fumbles by the Raiders.
A 25-yard field goal by Jacob Hixson gave the Scotties their first lead of the season late in the first quarter.
After the ensuing kickoff, the Scotties’ Kyle Cohen recovered a WC fumble at the visitors’ 33 yard line. Four plays later, Datz went 3 yards to score on the second play of the second quarter for a 10-0 lead.
The Scotties overcame three major penalties during a 77-yard touchdown drive on the next possession as Datz capped the drive on a 3 yard run for a 17-0 lead with Hixson’s kick.
Waynesburg Central (1-3, 1-4) got on the scoreboard late in the half on a drive aided by a personal foul penalty that led to an 18-yard scoring pass from Colby Collins to Hunter Cenname that cut the lead to 17-7 with Ian Patterson’s conversion kick.
The Scotties overcame another penalty-riddled drive early in the third quarter by driving 67 yards in 11 plays. Touchdown runs by Pisula and Datz were called back on penalties before Pisula finally went 6 yards to cap the drive for a 23-7 lead.
After Chas King recovered a Raider fumble at the WC 34, the Scotties drove to score in 10 plays with Datz going 1 yard to score.
Waynesburg Central then drove 65 yards to score in 10 plays with Cenname carrying for the last 7 yards to the end zone.
Pisula capped the Scotties’ last drive on a 2 yard run in the final minute to complete scoring.
Collins had 116 passing yard to lead Waynesburg Central.
After opening the season with Jeannette, Washington, Mount Pleasant, and Ford City, Southmoreland coach Dom Pecora said, “I knew we were going to do this sometime. There is no quarterback in the WPIAL who does more at the line on offense than (Datz) does. He has to make a decision on every play.”
Pecora said the Scotties changed up from senior workhorse Tyler Ramsey to Pisula in the second half. “Tyler’s our main man but Pisula can play tailback.”
Waynesburg Central coach Russ Moore lauded Datz’s effort and acknowledged that Southmoreland’s rough start may have been misleading. “That’s a pretty good ball club. They have some good looking athletes over there.”
Moore added, “You can’t turn the ball over. We had a couple players out and people playing positions they’re not used to playing.”
Interstate Conference
Waynesburg Central 0-7-0-6 — 13
Southmoreland 3-14-6-14 — 37
First Quarter
S: Jacob Hixson 25 field goal :18.7 (0-3)
Second Quarter
S: Dakota Datz 3 run (Hixson kick) 11:36 (0-10)
S: Datz 3 run (Hixson kick) 2:39 (0-17)
WC: Hunter Cenname 18 pass from Colby Collins (Ian Patterson kick) :30 (7-17)
Third Quarter
S: Jake Pisula 6 run (kick failed) 6:20 (7-23)
Fourth Quarter
S; Datz 1 run (Hixson kick) 11:32 (7-30)
WC: Cenname 7 run (run failed) 6:23 (13-30)
S: Pisula 2 run (Hixson kick) :38.7 (13-37)
Records: Waynesburg Central (1-3, 1-4); Southmoreland (1-3, 1-4)