WPIAL Playoffs: Neshannock vs. Brentwood
Written: Oct 31, 2013
 By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News
Postseason football is coming to Neshannock High’s Bob Bleggi Stadium.
The Lancers have never had the opportunity to suit up for a home WPIAL playoff game. Until tomorrow.
Sixth-seeded Neshannock will host 11th-seeded Brentwood at 7:30 p.m. in the first round of the WPIAL Class A playoffs. Last year, the Lancers started their run to the district semifinals, seeded 13th, on the road.
“I think everyone is very excited,” second-year Neshannock coach Fred Mozzocio said. “It’s an honor to be in that situation. To earn that home playoff game and be that first Neshannock team to earn that home playoff game, that’s special.
“Way back when, they didn’t even have home playoff games. They’ve had some really good players at Neshannock. For these kids to host this playoff game is something they can give back to those former players and the entire community.”
The Lancers, who are ranked No. 8 in Class A in the state rankings by the Patriot-News of Harrisburg, are 9-0 at home under Mozzocio.
“We just feel very comfortable and we seem to click at home,” Mozzocio said. “We’re trying to keep that (home) winning streak alive; we’re looking forward to performing in front of our home crowd.”
Neshannock (7-2) finished second in the Big Seven Conference behind champion and No. 1 seed Sto-Rox.
“Neshannock is an outstanding football team,” said Kevin Kissel, who is in his 17th season as the Spartans’ coach. “I think they’re one of the best teams in Class A.
“We knew we might play them and we thought it could be a reality. I wasn’t really looking forward to it before the pairings were revealed, but we’re kind of stuck with it.”
The Spartans (6-4), who scored a forfeit win over Imani Christian and picked up another contest in its place for a 10-game schedule, placed fourth in the Black Hills Conference.
“Brentwood has some real nice size,” Mozzocio said. “The have a couple of nice-sized offensive linemen and defensive linemen, and they move pretty well, too.
“They will be a very formidable opponent for us.”
Junior quarterback Connor McWilliams paces the Brentwood offense. McWilliams is 99 of 154 through the air for 1,590 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.
“McWilliams seems to be more comfortable in the pocket,” Mozzocio said. “He delivers the ball real well and he puts it on the money; we’re real impressed with him.”
Bill Madeja, a junior, leads the Spartans in receiving with 29 catches and over 420 yards. He’s hauled in seven scoring aerials as well.
“Madeja can move the chains and he can definitely catch the deep ball and run with it after the catch,” Mozzocio said. “They have more than one weapon. They have some nice complimentary players.”
Josh Gallagher, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior lineman, has the attention of Mozzocio and his staff.
“They move very well for their size as a team,” Mozzocio said. “We’re very impressed with Gallagher on both sides of the ball. We’ll need to keep an eye on him.”
Brentwood is allowing 20.1 points a game.
“We’ve seen a little bit of multiple defenses from them,” Mozzocio said. “We’ve seen a traditional odd front and a little bit of an even front.
“They will do different looks and they use multiple zone blitzes; they’re pretty active on defense.”
Ernie Burkes is a dual threat in Neshannock’s offensive attack. Burkes, a 5-10, 165-pound senior quarterback/defensive back, ranks second in the county in passing behind New Castle’s Julian Cox. He’s 80 of 140 through the air for 901 yards with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Burkes is fourth in the county in rushing with 792 yards on 84 attempts with 14 touchdowns.
“Burkes is very talented,” Kissel said. “He throws it decent and he might be a better runner than he is a thrower.
“He throws it well but he’s so elusive back there. We’ve got to account for him all the time. He is so dangerous. He really makes that team go.
The Lancers’ Eli Owens, a 5-11, 170-pound junior running back/defensive back, is second in the county in rushing behind Ellwood City Lincoln’s Jared Meyers. Owens has 1,127 yards rushing on 124 carries with 11 touchdowns.
“Owens is talented,” Kissel said. “He looks like he’s a strong kid and well built. He runs hard and he has good speed.”
Neshannock is allowing just 14.9 points a game.
“They play a 52 defense and they’ll mix it up a little bit,” Kissel said. “You don’t know what defensive ends are coming.
“They fly to the ball and they fill a hole.”
Mozzocio believes the keys to victory are simple for his team.
“We’re focusing on playing mistake-free football,” he said. “We’re working really hard right now to shore up what we’ll do.”
The winner advances to meet the survivor of the Monessen-West Shamokin matchup Nov. 8 at a time and site to be determined. Last year, Neshannock knocked off Monessen to reach the WPIAL semifinals, 24-21.
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