Colonials get back on track with 42-14 win over Yough
Rob Burchianti | Herald-Standard
Albert Gallatin never had to bounce back after a loss during the 2025 football season as it rolled to a perfect 10-0 record as an independent.
This year the Colonials have suffered two early-season defeats but have rebounded with a victory after both, including Friday night when they rolled over host Yough in a non-conference game, 42-14.
Gio Guerriere had 11 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns and Roman Smith added 102 yards on 14 runs with a score as AG improved to 2-2 in its return to the WPIAL.
The Colonials suffered a home loss to Burrell, 32-7, in Week One, followed that up with an emotional 33-28 win over visiting Connellsville in Week Two, then lost to Waynesburg Central, 35-0, in York Run last week.
“I thought we came out with good energy and got off to a fast start,” Albert Gallatin coach Drew Dindle said of his team’s first road game. “We really needed that after losing to a tough Waynesburg team last week, and I was happy with the way our guys responded.”
The Colonials put up 16 points in the opening quarter.
Smith scored on a 6-yard run with 6:02 left and quarterback Bronx Jamison connected on his only pass of the game for a 21-yard touchdown to Clayton Bolinger less than a minute later. Eli Fisher kicked the extra point after both TDs to make it 14-0.
Albert Gallatin went up 16-0 when the Cougars’ snap on a punt attempt sailed out of the end zone for a safety just 1:14 after Jamison’s score.
The Colonials extended their advantage to 23-0 on the first play of the second quarter when Jamison broke a 34-yard touchdown run.
The Cougars got on the board with 7:56 left in the quarter on Atticus Kimmell’s 33-yard TD run with Tyler Smith booting the extra point to make it 23-7.
Albert Gallatin quickly answered with a 40-yard touchdown run by Guerriere with 5:25 remaining in the half.
“Gio Guerriere and Bronx Jamison had really good games for us,” Dindl said.
The Colonials’ defense got in on the scoring action when Bentley Swaney returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown at the 3:34 mark to give the visitors a commanding 36-7 halftime lead.
After a scoreless third quarter, Guerriere raced for a 39-yard touchdown midway through the fourth to make it 42-7.
Yough (0-4) capped the scoring with 16 seconds left in the game on Darius Stephenson’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Joe Bibby.
Dindl was pleased to get contributions from some of his underclassmen, most notably sophomore Brennon Lennex and freshman Blake Pegg.
“I was proud of some of our younger guys who have had to step up because of injuries,” Dindl said. “Brennon Lennix did some really good things, and Blake Pegg stepped in when we needed him. Those guys are getting valuable reps and continuing to get better.”
Lennex had seven carries for 55 yards.
Dindl saw plenty of room for improvement, despite the victory.
“We did a lot of good things, but we still have to clean up some things mentally,” Dindl said. “Costly penalties, unsportsmanlikes and missed assignments are things that can really hurt you.
“It was important for us to get back in the win column, but we also know three’s still a lot we can improve.”