Big first half carries Warriors to 48-7 win
Connellsville's Kobe Stanley (4) tries to elude the tackle of Penn-Trafford's Jake Cardiff (45) as he returns a kickoff during the first quarter of Friday's Big East Conference game at Connellsville Stadium.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Connellsville running back Lucas White (28) tries to run through the tackle of Penn-Trafford’s Cameron Suman (15) during the first quarter of Friday’s Big East Conference game at Connellsville Stadium.
Connellsville quarterback Dylan Bubarth (10) breaks free into the Penn-Trafford defense during the first quarter of Friday's Big East Conference game at Connellsville Stadium.
Brock Basinger (56) and Lucas White (28) lead the Falcons onto the field at the beginning of Connellsville's Big East Conference game against Penn-Trafford at Connellsville Stadium.
Penn-Trafford's Jon Peduzzi gives Connellsville's Austin Beveridge a stiff arm to break his tackle during the first quarter of Friday's Big East Conference game at Connellsville Stadium.
Connellsville wide receiver Jalen Rogers loses control of the ball momentarily as he is tackled by Penn-Trafford's Anthony Cervone (7), Dominic Rosso (11), and Cam Laffoon (9) during the first half of Friday's Big East Conference game at Connellsville Stadium.
CONNELLSVILLE — The Connellsville Falcons got off to a slow start in their home opener as the Penn-Trafford Warriors raced out to a 27-0 lead in the first quarter to go home with a 48-7 win.
The Falcons (1-1) played without sophomore quarterback Josh Maher because of surgery, giving backup Dylan Bubarth only couple of days to prepare.
“Losing Josh was definitely a factor, because we didn’t find out until Thursday,” the Falcons’ Marko Thomas said. “Dylan only got a few snaps yesterday so we tried to keep things simple.”
Thomas added Maher’s procedure was successful and they hope he can return to the team in a few weeks.
P-T (2-0) wasted little time getting on the board with Caleb Lisbon returning the opening kickoff 86 yards for the score. Nick Tarabella hit the first of his six extra-points on the night for a 7-0 lead.
Following the Falcons’ next possession, Penn-Trafford took over at the 50. Cam Laffoon ended the short 5-play drive with a 22-yard scoring toss to John Peduzzi.
The Warriors forced the Falcons to punt on their next possession and took over at the Connellsville 46. On the fourth play of the drive Laffoon threw for his second touchdown of the night, hitting Anthony Cervone from 31 yards out to increase the score to 21-0.
The Falcons started the next drive at their 19. On the second play of the series, Bubarth’s pass was intercepted by Lisbon at the Falcons’ 33. The four-play drive ended with a one-yard run by John Gay. The extra point was missed giving the Warriors the 27-0 lead.
“The return of the opening kickoff was a big deal for us,” Penn-Trafford’s John Ruane said. “We didn’t score last week, and to get that one right off the bat set the tone for us. Our defense was solid but I felt offensively we moved the ball the way we needed to.”
The Warriors had possession of the ball at the end of the first quarter. On the first play of the second quarter, Libson scored his second touchdown of the night on a 16-yard run capping a 69-yard drive increasing their lead to 34-0.
“You can’t give a good team like Penn-Trafford momentum early like we did and it came back to bite us,” Thomas said. “We’ve had slow starts the past two weeks. We’ve got to go to work to get ready to fire out of the gate next week when Gateway comes to town. I think getting Dylan a full week of practice at quarterback will help us also.”
Penn-Trafford added two more scores in the second quarter.
The first came on a 46-yard run from Gay and the second on a 3-yard run from Peduzzi.
“I felt we had a total team effort tonight in all three phases offensively, defensively and special teams, ” Ruane said. “Connellsville is very similar to us in the plays they run, but I think over time they will be fine. Marko is a great guy and is the right man for the job. I think he is going to get them headed in the right direction.”
The Falcons did manage to avoid the shutout in the third quarter on a 66-yard run from Bodee Stonebraker.
The Falcons will be at home next week to Gateway, while Penn-Trafford returns home to host Plum.
Big East Conference
Penn-Trafford 27-21-0-0 — 48
Connellsville 0-0-7-0 — 7
First Quarter
PT: Caleb Lisbon 86 kickoff return (Nick Tarabella kick), 11:49
PT: Jon Peduzzi 22 pass from Cam Laffoon (Tarabella kick), 9:06
PT: Anthony Cervone 31 pass from Laffoon (Tarabella kick), 5:38
PT: John Gay 1 run (kick failed), 3:41
Second Quarter
PT: Lisbon 10 run (Tarabella kick), 11:54
PT: Gay 46 run (Tarabella kick), 9:48
PT: Peduzzi 3 run (Tarabella kick)
Third Quarter
Con: Bodee Stonebraker 66 run (Gage Gillott kick), 11:17
Records: Penn-Trafford (2-0), Connellsville (1-1)