Pisula runs Scotties to 23-6 win over Brownsville
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Southmoreland’s Jake Pisula (15) scores a touchdown during the first quarter of last season’s game against Brownsville. His offensive line returns intact for this season, so this may become a familiar scene at Scotties’ football games.
Brownsville quarterback Shane Roebuck (32) breaks away from Southmoreland's Jake Beistel (53) for a first down for the Falcons during Friday's game at California University of Pa.'s Adamson Field.
Brownsville's Byron Mayers (11) runs 60-plus yards for a Falcons' touchdown during Friday's game with Southmoreland at California University of Pa.'s Adamson Field.
Southmoreland's Aaron Bailey (24) after running the ball several yards tries to avoid Brownsville's Keshawn Gregory (7) during Friday's game at California University of Pa.'s Adamson Field.
Brownsville's Byron Mayers (11) knocks the ball away from Southmoreland receiver Brennan Coles (11) near the end of the second quarter of Friday's game at California University of Pa.'s Adamson Field.
CALIFORNIA — Junior Jake Pisula ran for 248 yards and two touchdowns on Friday while becoming only the fourth player in Southmoreland history to reach 1,000 yards rushing in a season in the Scotties’ 23-6 Interstate Conference win over Brownsville at California University of Pa.
But a third quarter defensive stand by the Scotties in the shadow of their own goalposts may have been the true key to the game’s outcome.
After Pisula had staked Southmoreland to a 14-0 lead on first quarter touchdown runs of 2 and 86 yards, Brownsville’s Byron Mayers shocked the Scotties with a 60-yard touchdown run late in the first half to cut the lead to 14-6.
Brownsville’s first possession of the second half began at the Southmoreland 44-yard line and Mayers ran 16 yards down to sideline to the 5-yard line on the seventh play of the drive.
But Southmoreland’s defense stiffened, driving the Falcons back to the 18-yard line before taking over on downs.
With Pisula being treated on the sidelines for exhaustion, first-year coach Mark Adams turned to senior running backs Kyle Cohen and Aaron Bailey. The duo helped spur an 82-yard drive in eight plays that was capped by quarterback Brennan Bunner’s 1-yard keeper on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Bailey gained 54 yards on four carries during the drive, including a 42-yard run to the 3-yard line. Brownsville (0-6, 0-7) helped the drive with a 15-yard facemask penalty, one of 11 times the Falcons were penalized for 89 yards.
Southmoreland (2-4, 2-5) kept the Falcons backed up for the rest of the game and added a 30-yard field goal by exchange student Samuel Krajcovich to put the game out of reach with 2:46 remaining.
Despite missing nearly all of the third quarter, Pisula ended the game with 248 yards on 23 carries, while Bailey added 69 yards on 11 carries.
Adams said he had warned the Scotties about taking Brownsville lightly.
“That’s a gutsy team,” Adams said of the Falcons. “We were playing very good football from the opening bell, but we got a little complacent. I had to jump start them again (at halftime).”
He added, “Jake Pisula was worn down and someone had to step up. That was a very big series in the second half that set the tone.”
Adams said Pisula “has been pounding away all year and he’s going to be a good one.”
Mayers rushed for 100 of Brownsville’s 152 yards of total offense, and coach Von Braddock said the Falcons let the momentum get away in the second half.
“We had some missed assignments and gave them two easy ones at the start of the game,” Braddock said. “Then we got them down and our kids were up. You’ve got to capitalize. But (Southmoreland) got some confidence and we were just tired.”
He added, “We will get better and will keep on working.”
Interstate Conference
Brownsville 0-6-0-0 — 6
Southmoreland 14-0-0-9 — 23
First Quarter
S: Jake Pisula 2 run (Samuel Krajcovich kick), 7:57 (0-7)
S: Pisula 86 run (Michael Garlowich kick), 4:16 (0-14)
Second Quarter
B: Byron Mayers 60 run (kick failed), 1:14 (6-14)
Fourth Quarter
S: Brennan Bunner 1 run (kick failed), 11:57 (6-20)
S: Krajcovich 30 field goal, 2:46 (6-23)
Records: Brownsville (0-6, 0-7); Southmoreland (2-4, 2-5).