Shenango, Neshannock set for Saturday night clash
Written: Sep 04, 2014
 By Joe Sager
New Castle News
It’s a Saturday Night showdown at Bob Bleggi Stadium.
Neshannock welcomes local rival Shenango for a 7 p.m. WPIAL Class A Big Seven Conference clash. Both squads enter the game 1-0 in the conference and overall. If this game is anything like last year’s encounter, it should be intense. The Lancers erupted for 21 points in the fourth quarter to take the 35-14 win in 2013.
“It’s a Saturday night game with two undefeated teams and two local rivals,” Neshannock coach Fred Mozzocio said. “I know we are looking forward to it and I am sure they are, too. It should be pretty exciting. We should have a packed house up there.”
Both squads opened the year with encouraging road triumphs. The Wildcats used a last-second field goal to stun Western Beaver, 23-22, last Saturday while the Lancers blew past South Side Beaver, 52-13, on Friday.
“It was a great win for them. I was down at the game and there was a great atmosphere. Western Beaver is a tough, hardnosed team as always. Shenango put together that winning drive in the final 2:30 and that says a lot about their character, their team and their coaching staff instilling that confidence in them.”
Shenango overcame a turnover that led to Western’s go-ahead score with 2:30 to play. However, the ’Cats responded with a strong drive and capped it with Dylan Kleckner’s 20-yard field goal as time expired to win the game.
“I thought that was a great momentum builder, as far as character, overcoming adversity and believing in ourselves,” Shenango coach Mike Commesso said. “It was a character builder with the way we finished the drive. We can’t think about last week now. We’re staying focused on what’s ahead. It’s always tough to go on the road again. I was at Neshannock’s game. They were rolling. They execute really well offensively and defensively.”
The Lancers got some momentum, too, with their victory. They graduated many key players from a group that reached the WPIAL semifinals the past two years, but some new faces stepped up in the win.
“We were pleased with our performance. We tried to prepare during scrimmages and work the kinks out and did what we had to do to prepare for the season. Now, we have to be ready to get at it again,” Mozzocio said. “We had one big breakdown on defense, which we saw on film and made some corrections. So, we’re back to the learning side of things. Other than that, I am pleased with the performance and effort our men put out. Every game and practice is a learning experience. We try to build upon it each day.”
While Neshannock graduated dual-threat quarterback Ernie Burkes, who passed and rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year, and is without star running back Eli Owens (knee injury), the team thrived on offense. Quarterback Frank Antuono passed for 164 yards and a touchdown, while Robert Lindsey rushed for 92 yards and four TDs and caught Antuono’s TD toss.
“They are explosive. They don’t have Burkes, but they still have some explosiveness,” Commesso said. “Last year, we focused on containing Burkes. This year, they are spreading the ball around a little more so you can’t really focus on one person. We have to play fundamental defense. It’s about discipline and playing fundamental defense to try to contain them.”
The ’Cats showed they have some playmakers, too. Stepping into full-time roles this season, quarterback Evan Kendall passed for 89 yards and engineered that winning drive against Western Beaver. Hunter Waskin rushed for 109 yards and two TDs, while Jason Wallace had 100 yards and a TD. Tyler Root finished with 89 yards on the ground as well.
“Our three junior backs accounted for nearly 300 yards rushing. Evan did a good job. Our line needs some credit, too. I was happy with our execution,” Commesso said. “A lot of our guys were starting for the first time. I thought they did a really nice job. I was pleased.”
Both coaches hope to minimize miscues this week.
“We want to play the game and get out of it with no turnovers. We look to cut down on some of the penalties we had last week,” Mozzocio said. “You always want to come out and establish physicality right off the bat. Those are some of the things we’re looking to do.”
Mistakes hurt Shenango in last year’s defeat at Neshannock.
“It was a great game last year for three and a half quarters,” Commesso said. “It’s our second road game against a ranked opponent and both on Saturdays, so there could be a lot of distractions in that. We have to protect the ball on offense and not turn it over. It should be a fun atmosphere.”
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