Big second half boosts Western past Laurel
Laurel (13) vs. Western Beaver (35)
Written: Oct 20, 2008
 By JOHN D’ABRUZZO
j’dabruzzo@ncnewsonline.com
INDUSTRY — For two quarters of football, Laurel High went head-to-head with Western Beaver.
But those two quarters certainly weren’t enough Saturday afternoon.
After taking a mere seven-point advantage at the half, the Golden Beavers went on to score 22 in the third quarter en route to capturing a 35-13 WPIAL Class A victory in Big Seven Conference action at Rich Niedbala Field.
“We’ve played a half of football all year,” Spartans coach Jerry Holzhauser said. “We played against everybody for one half. It’s not so much that they came after us as much as we get worn down.”
The victory clinched a playoff berth for Western Beaver (5-1 conference, 6-2 overall) as it moved into second place in the conference tied with Monaca (5-1). The Golden Beavers still have hopes of at least a share of a conference title, pending a win next week against South Side Beaver (3-3) and a loss by Rochester (6-0) against Monaca. A win against South Side Beaver would also secure a home playoff game for Western Beaver.
Despite the loss, Laurel (2-4, 2-6) still is mathematically alive in the playoff race. The Spartans, though, must win against Shenango next week and South Side Beaver must lose against Western Beaver. Laurel beat South Side Beaver earlier in the year.
Holzhauser would have been more pleased with a win against the Golden Beavers.
Laurel jumped out to a 3-0 lead after a Jonathan Johnson 32-yard field goal 2:41 into the game. Johnson added another field goal with a 31-yard boot following a Western Beaver touchdown to make it a 7-6 ballgame.
Western Beaver quarterback Morgan Rice, who ran in the Golden Beavers’ first score from a yard out, hit Kyle Stadnik on a 7-yard pass to help his team take a 13-6 lead with 1:55 remaining in the second quarter. Rice completed 4 for 7 attempts for 54 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for 95 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.
The Spartans, however, weren't quick enough with their 2-minute offense and could not find the end zone before the end of the half.
“We got the two field goals and it could have gone another way if we had two touchdowns,” Holzhauser said. “You still have to play four quarters. Our kids played hard, and I don't have any concerns with our kids. That team was better than us for four quarters.
“The other teams that have beat us have been better than us for four quarters.”
The Spartans even outgained the Golden Beavers at the half, 144-122. Western Beaver, though, finished with 371 yards to Laurel's 295.
Laurel lost a pair of key starting linemen in junior center Robert Hites and sophomore tackle Patrick Young to injuries midway through the second quarter. Both had their left ankles wrapped and were sidelined on crutches during the second half. Holzhauser did not know the extent of the injuries.
“When you lose big guys like that, it takes a toll on your team,” Holzhauser said. “So I have no complaints with how our kids played. They play hard, but it's tough for them to come back.
“In the second half, we’re down two linemen on both sides of the ball and that’s tough when you’re limited to the number of linemen to start with. But the kids who got in stepped up and did the best they could.”
Western Beaver opened the third quarter with a Zach Cavalier touchdown. Cavalier, who ran for 72 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries, scored on a 9-yard run.
The Golden Beavers immediately got the ball back with an onside kick, and Sean Stiffey soon found the end zone with a 35-yard run to give Western Beaver a 28-6 lead.
Stiffey led all rushers with 151 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. He had touchdown runs of 35 and 91 yards.
Junior quarterback Tyler Forbes completed 8 of 15 attempts for 119 yards and one touchdown for the Spartans. He also ran for another 49 yards on 10 carries.
LAUREL WESTERN BEAVER
13 First downs 17
183 Yards Rushing 351
7 Yards Lost 5
176 Net Rushing 346
15 Passes Attempted 7
8 Passes Completed 4
1 Passes Intercepted 1
119 Yards Passing 54
295 Total Yards 371
1-0 Fumbles-Lost 1-1
2-37 Punts-Average 1-11
5-32 Penalties-Yards 3-25
LAUREL 3 3 0 7 — 13
W. BEAVER 7 6 22 0 — 35
Scoring plays
LAUREL — Jonathan Johnson, 32-yard field goal.
W. BEAVER — Morgan Rice, 1-yard run (Michael Graham kick).
LAUREL — Johnson, 31-yard field goal.
W. BEAVER — Kyle Stadnik, 7-yard pass from Rice (kick blocked).
W. BEAVER — Zach Cavalier, 9-yard run (Hunter Creel run).
W. BEAVER — Sean Stiffey, 35-yard run (Graham kick).
W. BEAVER — Stiffey, 91-yard run (Graham kick).
LAUREL — Kevin Zubasic, 15-yard pass from Tyler Forbes (Johnson kick).
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