Commodores hand Avella first loss
Dave Rafferty
Frazier running back Nicholas Smalich (14) runs into the open against the Avella defense Friday evening at the Commodores’ home field in Perryopolis.
Frazier wide receiver Hunter Patterson (12) grabs a pass over an Avella defender during Friday's game at the Commodores' home field in Perryopolis.
Avella quarterback Santino Paris (12) scrambles as Frazier offensive lineman Joseph Horvath (75) is in hot pursuit during Friday's game at the Commodores' home field in Perryopolis.
PERRYOPOLIS — The Frazier Commodores celebrated Homecoming Friday by handing the Avella Eagles their first loss of the season, 33-9.
The Commodores (5-1, 5-1) went to their running game, rushing for 238 yards with Nick Smalich doing most of the work with 81 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown.
“Avella is a good football team and can make some things happen,” Frazier’s Mike Steeber said. “Our offensive and defensive lines did a great job tonight, which has been key to our success the last couple of games by controlling the line of scrimmage.”
Frazier got on the board on its first possession. After taking the opening kickoff at their 32, the Commodores drove the remaining 68 yards on 10 plays, ending with a 5-yard scoring toss from Charlie Manack to Hunter Patterson. They missed the two-point conversion, taking a 6-0 lead into the second quarter.
The Commodores returned an Avella punt to the Eagles’ 21-yard line. Following a four-yard loss to the 26, Manack picked up his second touchdown pass on the night, finding Tim Carson free in the end zone. Dakota Hixson’s two-point pass to Manack on a fake reverse gave the Commodores a 14-0 lead.
Frazier struck again just before the half with Smalich scoring on a 17-yard run with 47 seconds left to cap an 11-play drive that started from the Commodores’ 35, giving Frazier a 20-0 lead at the half.
The Eagles (4-1, 5-1) finally got a break in the third quarter. They were forced to punt on the opening possession of the second half, but the punt pinned Frazier at its one-yard line.
The Commodores failed to move the ball and were forced to punt, but the ball was fumbled out of the end zone for a safety. Frazier kicked off to the Eagles’ Nick Kusich, who raced 63 yards for the score. The extra-point allowed Avella to cut the Frazier lead to 20-9.
“I thought we did a better job in the second half of limiting what Frazier could do,” Avella’s Ryan Cecchini said. “Those scores in the third quarter got us right back into the ball game. However, we couldn’t take advantage of the field position and had trouble moving the ball all night.”
The Commodores put the game away with two scores in the fourth quarter. Manack threw his third touchdown pass of the night, a 48-yarder to Nate Zurich increasing the Frazier lead to 26-9. Alvin Ross picked up the game’s final points on a 37-yard run in the fourth.
“I didn’t feel safe tonight with Avella’s ability to move the ball. They’re a talented group,” Steeber said. “We let them back in the game, but came up with some big turnovers. We couldn’t sustain a couple of drives in some short yardage situations. That’s something we’ve got to improve before we face Beth-Center next week.”
Tri-County South Conference
Avella 0-0-9-0 — 9
Frazier 6-14-0-13 — 33
First Quarter
F: Hunter Patterson 5 pass from Charlie Manack (pass failed), 7:06 (6-0)
Second Quarter
F: Tim Carson 26 pass from Manack (Manack pass from Dakota Hixson), 10:00 (14-0)
F: Nick Smalich 17 run (pass failed), :47 (20-0)
Third Quarter
A: Safety (punt snap fumbled out of end zone), 8:39 (20-2)
A: Nick Kusich 63 kickoff return (Shawn Carl kick), 8:30 (20-9)
Fourth Quarter
F: Nate Zurich 48 pass from Manack (pass failed), 5:57 (26-9)
F: Alvin Ross 37 run (Josh Cox kick), 1:42 (33-9)
Records: Avella (4-1, 5-1), Frazier (5-1, 5-1).