Colts too much for Mustangs in conference opener
Chartiers Valley scored on the first play from scrimmage and took advantage of three straight turnovers in a 62-7 victory over Laurel Highlands on Friday in the Class 4A Big Six Conference opener at Mustang Field.
Tayshaun Lewis scored 18 seconds into the game on a 63-yard run and the Colts (1-0, 5-1) had a 7-0 lead after Luke Waldron made the first of eight PATs.
After the Mustangs (0-1, 2-4) were forced to punt on their first drive, Lewis raced 54 yards into the end zone, but a holding call nullified the score. Lewis gained 14 yards on a screen pass from Luke Miranda and gained eight yards on a fourth-and-two before Miranda scored on a 36-yard run for a 14-0 advantage with 6:34 remaining in the first quarter.
Laurel Highlands fumbled on its next drive and Chartiers Valley’s Owen Wedraff recovered at the Mustangs’ 10-yard line.
After a nine-yard run from Lewis, the Colts scored on Miranda’s one-yard run for a 21-0 lead with 5:27 left in the first period.
Laurel Highlands benefited from an unnecessary roughness penalty on Chartiers Valley to move the ball to the home team’s 40, but Brady Schaming recovered the Mustangs’ second fumble.
Miranda threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Damien Holloway with 2:45 remaining in the opening quarter for a 28-0 advantage.
Julius Best got the ball back for the visitors with an interception and scored on a nine-yard reception from Miranda with 26 seconds remaining in the first frame for a 35-0 lead.
Laurel Highlands inserted Nick Crouch in at quarterback, and the junior got his team moving on offense with a 27-yard run to the Colts’ 43. He ran for seven yards on the next play before cutting to the right side of the field and scoring on a 36-yard run to cut the deficit to 35-7 with 10:26 remaining in the second quarter after Jackson Nairn made the extra point. Crouch rushed for 81 yards on 14 carries.
Chartiers Valley responded to the Mustangs’ touchdown with its six score in six drives, as Miranda found Jack Sarnecky in the back of the end zone for a score with 8:32 left before halftime and a 42-7 advantage.
Laurel Highlands was forced to punt on its next possession, and after the Colts fielded the return, Lewis ran 64 yards for his second touchdown. The extra point was blocked for a 48-7 lead. Lewis gained 144 yards on four carries.
The Mustangs fumbled on their next drive and Noah Harris recovered for the visitors, who scored on Zachary Efthimiades’ 10-yard run with 4:43 left in the second period for a 55-7 advantage.
LH punted on its next possession and the visitors took a knee to end the first half.
Seth McCabe closed the scoring with a touchdown run with six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Mustangs’ Noah Lion returned after tearing his labrum, but played at wide receiver, as he is unable to play at quarterback.
Laurel Highlands’ Sara Reed won the title as Homecoming Queen prior to kickoff.