’Canes climb back into race with road win
New Castle (50) vs. Chartiers Valley (22)
Written: Sep 29, 2012
By Joe Sager
New Castle News
BRIDGEVILLE — New Castle faces a steep climb to the postseason.
But the Red Hurricane took an important first step last night with a wild 50-22 Parkway Conference win at Chartiers Valley.
New Castle (1-3 conference, 2-3 overall) is vying for one of the conference’s five WPIAL Class AAA playoff spots. Beating the Colts (1-3, 2-3) was an essential part of that quest.
“We knew that coming into this week, we had one goal and that was to win because that was much needed,” New Castle quarterback Julian Cox said. “We have to control our own destiny and it was make it or break it time. Fortunately, we came out here and did what we had to do.”
The victory propels the ’Canes into contention for that final postseason berth.
“It was an absolute must-win game. Whoever came out of this had a shot to make a little bit of a run,” New Castle coach Joe Cowart said. “We are excited about the performance. We thought we put four quarters together and that was the first time we did that all year.”
The two programs, which hadn’t met on the gridiron since 1987, feature two of the WPIAL’s elite basketball programs. For most of the first half, the game resembled a hardwood clash. Six touchdowns were scored in a 3:30 span late in the first quarter through the early second frame.
The ’Canes were fortunate to come out of that spree with a 36-15 advantage. The final five of New Castle’s seven touchdowns were greater than 34 yards.
“They pinned us deep into our end a couple of times and our coaches just tell us to keep our composure and make a big play,” Cox said. “It was good all the way around.”
Cox scored the team’s first two touchdowns before the Colts trimmed the deficit to 16-8. However, Ryan Fitzpatrick returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown with 1:20 left in the first half. The ’Canes recovered an onside kick and, one play later, Malik Hooker kept the ball on a Wildcat play and rambled 35 yards for a TD and a 28-8 advantage.
The hosts scored again early in the third, but Cox answered with a 67-yard quarterback keeper for a 36-15 halftime margin. Jalen Holmes (92) and Hooker (43) broke loose for long TD runs in the second half as well.
“It makes it easy when you can hit a big one,” Cowart said. “We showed the ability to have sustained drives a week ago. Tonight, we showed the ability to be explosive. We need to put that together offensively and, certainly, shore up what we’re doing defensively.”
The ’Canes’ defense had trouble containing the Colts in the second half. However, it did record two huge turnovers. Tevin McCaster made a diving interception at New Castle’s 5 late in the third quarter and Stew Allen recovered a fumble at the ’Canes’ 6 late in the fourth to thwart Chartiers Valley.
“Our defense this week, we wanted to attack, attack, attack,” Cox said. “Our motto at practice is ‘energy and effort’ and we just wanted to get to the balls and make plays happen. That’s what we did.”
Cowart believes his team’s defense is improving.
“Two red zone turnovers late in the game; we want to get better so we don’t need to get in there and get a stop,” he said. “But, coming up with two red zone turnovers is terrific football.”
The ’Canes face another must-win game next week when Blackhawk pays a visit to Taggart Stadium in another Parkway Conference test.
“Every game is huge. We’re turning our attention to Blackhawk now,” Cowart said. “We know their program and the things they’ve done. We need to really focus on that being a rivalry game for us. For the last three years, it’s been an absolute war. I expect nothing less this time.”
(Email: ncsports@ncnewsonline.com)
NEW CASTLE CHAR VALLEY
14 First downs 22
417 Yards Rushing 202
7 Yards Lost 36
410 Net Rushing 166
6 Passes Attempted 27
2 Passes Completed 13
0 Passes Intercepted 1
50 Yards Passing 213
460 Total Yards 379
0-0 Fumbles-Lost 2-2
3-36.0 Punts-Average 3-28.3
8-71 Penalties-Yards 5-40
NEW CASTLE 28 8 8 6 — 50
CHAR VALLEY 8 7 7 0 — 22
Scoring plays
NEW CASTLE — Julian Cox, 11-yard run (Tevin McCaster run).
NEW CASTLE — Cox, 1-yard run (Cox run).
CHARTIERS VALLEY — Andreo Coury, 10-yard run (Joe Ragni run).
NEW CASTLE — Ryan Fitzpatrick, 92-yard kickoff return (run failed).
NEW CASTLE — Malik Hooker, 35-yard run (pass failed).
CHARTIERS VALLEY — Mike Boulos, 3-yard run (Kristina Coyne kick).
NEW CASTLE — Cox, 67-yard run (Hooker run).
NEW CASTLE — Jalen Holmes, 92-yard run (Holmes run).
CHARTIERS VALLEY — Boulos, 9-yard run (Coyne kick).
NEW CASTLE — Hooker, 43-yard run (kick failed).
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