Cavaliers pull away from Connellsville in 42-7 win
CONNELLSVILLE — It all comes down to blocking and tackling in football and the Connellsville Falcons did not tackle well, which led to a 42-7 loss to the visiting Kiski Area Cavaliers in Big East Conference play.
“Turnovers hurt us tonight, but the main thing is we’re not tackling well,” Connellsville’s Marko Thomas said. “We had guys in place to make plays, but we’re not tackling.”
The Falcons (0-4, 1-4) hurt themselves by committing five turnovers (two fumbles and three interceptions).
The Cavaliers (1-3, 1-4) managed to return one of the interceptions for a touchdown when Troy Kuhn scored on a 30-yard return in the second quarter. Ross Greece did most of the damage for Kiski by scoring three touchdowns.
It was an interception that set up the Cavaliers’ first score. The Falcons started the game by taking the opening kickoff to their 31. On their third play from scrimmage Andrew Mason picked off Dylan Bubarth’s pass, returning it to the Falcons’ one. Greece picked up his first score on a one-yard plunge. Evan Long followed hit the first of his six extra-points on the night for a 7-0 lead.
The Falcons were forced to punt on their next possession with Kiski taking over at their 48. Greece ended the nine-play drive on a 3-yard run giving Kiski a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.
The Falcons rallied in the second quarter with Bubarth leading the charge when he completed a 20-yard pass to Jalen Rogers to the Kiski 25. Bubarth ripped off a 25-yard run to the Cavaliers’ 3-yard line. Bodee Stonebraker was dropped for a loss back to the Kiski eight, and then Bubarth came back with a tackle eligible screen pass to Cameron Wormack for the score.
“That was a very good drive for us, but we have to be more consistent in our play,” Thomas said. ” We’ve got to get something going in our favor and get these guys to believe in themselves.”
Following the Connellsville touchdown Kiski came back with three scores in the second quarter on a one-yard run from Greece, Kuhn’s interception return and an 11-yard run from Jack Colecchi to open up a 35-7 halftime lead.
Kiski was able to tack on one more score in the third period on a devestating run by Drew DiNunzio-Biss through the heart of the Falcon defense to put the mercy rule into affect for the remainder of the game.
“Everything comes down to blocking and tackling. We’ve got to take care of the little things to become a better football team,” Thomas said. “There is plenty of room for improvement and it’s up to us as coaches to get them motivated and headed in the right direction.”
Big East Conference
Kiski Area 14-21-7-0 — 42
Connellsville 0-7-0-0 — 7
First Quarter
KA: Ross Greece 1 run (Evan Long kick), 9:54
KA: Greece 3 run (Long kick), :40
Second Quarter
Con: Cameron Wormack 8 pass from Dylan Bubarth (Gage Gillott kick), 10:06
KA: Greece 2 run (Long kick), 7:11
KA: Troy Kuhn 30 interception return (Long kick), 6:19
KA: Jack Colecchi 11 run (Long kick), 2:55
Third Quarter
KA: Drew DiNunzio-Biss 49 run (Long kick), 9:31
Records: Kiski Area (1-3, 1-4), Connellsville (0-4, 1-4).