Shenango star shares the glory after convincing win
Shenango (41) vs. Leechburg (6)
Written: Sep 12, 2009
By STEVE TREU
ncsports@ncnewsonline.com
LEECHBURG — Anthony Kosciuszko displayed some modesty shortly after Shenango showed Leechburg some mercy.
Kosciuszko rushed for 157 yards on 11 carries and produced three touchdowns, including two breakaways scores, to power the Wildcats past the host Blue Devils, 41-6, last night in nonconference action.
Undefeated Shenango (2-0) triggered the mercy rule when it went ahead by 35 points midway through the third quarter. Shenango coach Ryan Mayo then removed the team’s starters from the game.
Otherwise, Kosciuszko might have had an even greater night.
“Give all the credit to the offensive line,” Kosciuszko said. “Those guys were the main reason for all the success we had on the field today.”
Oh, but Kosciuszko had a little something to do with it as well.
In addition to his humility, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound junior put all of his athletic skills on display throughout the evening.
Late in a scoreless first quarter, Kosciuszko took a little dump-off pass from quarterback Joe Colavecchia from deep in Shenango territory. Kosciuszko then juked and jived through the Leechburg defense, dashing 85 yards into the end zone.
The next time he touched the ball, Kosciuszko gashed the Devils for 18 yards to begin a seven-play drive that was capped by Ricky Mathews on a 14-yard scoring burst off right tackle.
Shenango’s next offensive series was six plays quicker, as Kosciuszko was bottled up at his own 20 before breaking to his right and dashing free for an 80-yard touchdown. The rout was on.
“Anthony has good speed but even better feet,” Mayo said. “He does a nice job looking for cutback lanes.”
Kosciuszko demonstrated several of those cutbacks on his 12-yard TD at the end of the first half, putting the ’Cats up 27-0 at the break. His night then ended after he stutter-stepped his way to a 32-yard gain early in the third, keying a drive that Colavecchia completed with a 13-yard scoring scamper on fourth-and-1.
One of Shenango’s few bad plays of the game came on its first snap, when Kosciuszko was nailed for a 7-yard loss.
“I was kind of disappointed that we came out flat,” Mayo said. “But at least kids played well after that.”
Mathews, who had an impressive showing of his own with 111 yards on 13 carries, tacked on the game’s final score by breaking several tackles en route to a 23-yard touchdown.
Shenango, which never punted, outgained Leechburg (0-2) by more than 300 yards, 480-179. That huge total included 335 yards on the ground.
The ’Cats begin Big Seven Conference action next week with a visit to Neshannock (1-1).
SHENANGO LEECHBURG
12 First downs 7
342 Yards Rushing 129
7 Yards Lost 16
335 Net Rushing 113
7 Passes Attempted 13
6 Passes Completed 7
0 Passes Intercepted 0
145 Yards Passing 66
480 Total Yards 179
1-1 Fumbles-Lost 2-1
0-0 Punts-Average 5-26
6-45 Penalties-Yards 6-45
SHENANGO 8 19 14 0 — 41
LEECHBURG 0 0 0 6 — 6
Scoring plays
SHENANGO — Anthony Kosciuszko, 85-yard pass from Joe Colavecchia (Kosciuszko run).
SHENANGO — Ricky Mathews, 14-yard run (Scott McBride kick).
SHENANGO — Kosciuszko, 80-yard run (pass failed).
SHENANGO — Kosciuszko, 12-yard run (pass failed).
SHENANGO — Colavecchia, 13-yard run (Mathews run).
SHENANGO — Mathews, 23-yard run (kick failed).
LEECHBURG — Darren Zuracky, 20-yard run (run failed).
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