Fort Cherry wins TCS showdown over Monessen, 32-13
Monessen’s Vaughn Taylor (22) avoids a tackle from Fort Cherry’s Ryhan Culberson and goes on to score a Greyhounds’ touchdown during their Tri-County South game Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Monessen's Antonio Rhome (88) misses a pass by inches during their Section 2-A game with Fort Cherry Friday in Monessen.
Monessen's Zion Aldrich (29) works to evade Fort Cherry's Matthew Staley as he looks for a opening during their Section 2-A game Friday at Monessen.
MONESSEN — Throughout the better part of the last quarter century, winning a Tri-County South Conference Championship usually meant having to go through Monessen.
Fort Cherry proved it is a force to be reckoned with in the revamped conference after a 32-13 win at Memorial Stadium on Friday night.
Monessen (1-3, 1-2) started the night off on the right foot as Vaughn Taylor capped off the 65-yard opening drive with a 15-yard touchdown run up the middle that put Fort Cherry in a 7-0 hole.
Fort Cherry newcomer Ryhan Culberson answered back with an electric 50-yard punt return to get the Rangers even at 7-7 with 2:50 remaining in the first quarter. It would prove to be the first of several big plays for the Rangers (3-0, 2-0).
The Greyhounds controlled the ball and moved into the red zone again behind senior Jaron Youngblood, who finished with 144 yards on the ground. But freshman Dominick Tineri lost the grip on a hand off and gave the ball back to the Rangers on the 14-yard line.
Quarterback Brady Whalen wasted no time on the ensuing possession. Receiver Scott Miller fought for a long pass from Whalen and raced the rest of the way for an 82-yard touchdown to end the first quarter with a 14-7 lead.
The Greyhounds felt confident moving the chains in the first half, but were stopped on a fourth and one inside their own territory in the second quarter. Culberson, who alternated at quarterback every other drive, called his own number on the ensuing possession and raced around the left side for a 32-yard touchdown to make the score 20-7.
Monessen coach Joe Salvino offered his thoughts. “The difference (in the game) was their big play offense. You can’t give up big plays against good teams like that.”
Culberson was also in on the last score of the half as he connected with Miller on a 32-yard pass to end the half, 26-7. Miller would finish the night with 170 yards on five receptions.
Monessen would open up the second half with a controlling 55 yard drive and three yard touchdown run by Jason Hughes to make it 26-13. But the comeback effort proved to be futile for the young team against a big-play offense. “We actually controlled the ball, but controlling the ball is a lot different than being able to score on any given play,” said Salvino.
With a little over eight minutes to go in the game, Monessen’s Nate Simms muffed a punt inside the fifteen yard line. Culberson, who factored in on four Fort Cherry touchdowns, then connected with Zach Vincenti on a seven yard pitch and catch for a 32-13 lead.
While Fort Cherry has already improved on last year’s two win season, Monessen is looking forward to putting the pieces together. “We’re so young, we only have four seniors and some of these younger people are going to have to step up and realize what they have to do,” said Salvino. There’s so much football left and we have to stay positive and stay heathy.”
Monessen hosts Clairton next week before trying to get back on the right track in conference play.