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Neshannock, Riverside share similar traits

Written: Sep 11, 2014
Article
By Joe Sager

New Castle News

 

Another week, another big game.

That’s nothing new for the Neshannock High football team.

This time, the Lancers hit the road at 7 p.m. tomorrow to take on Riverside in a battle of two WPIAL Class A Big Seven Conference contenders. Both teams are unbeaten at 2-0 overall.

It marks a second important matchup in as many weeks for the Lancers, who shut out Shenango, 33-0, on Saturday to move to 2-0 in the conference.

“We have been in these situations and big games before. We know what we have to do. We have to go out and play hardnosed football,” Neshannock coach Fred Mozzocio said. “Things don’t change week to week for us. We don’t get too high when we do well and we don’t get too low when things don’t go as well. They say there is a bull’s-eye on us and we enjoy that role.”

Neshannock has gained plenty of big-game experience the last couple years when the Lancers advanced to the WPIAL semifinals both times. Meanwhile, the Panthers (1-0 in the conference) dropped down to Class A this year and hope to make an impact.

“I hope my kids don’t get caught up in the hoopla,” Riverside coach Tom Liberty said. “My kids are still learning how to win. Neshannock, maturity-wise, they have that experience of being in the playoffs and my kids don’t have that experience. I think we match up almost identically. It should be a good game.”

Riverside is happy to be out of the rugged Class AA Midwestern Conference and into a Class A conference with some familiar opponents.

“My kids have done a nice job. I have a great group of kids and they have a great work ethic,” Liberty said. “The chemistry is so alike with our programs. The kids at Neshannock were winners in 7th and 8th grade, too, and the kids I have were winners in 7th and 8th grade as well. My kids know their kids and they played each other in middle school football.”

The Panthers have a diverse offense. Running back Marcel Cleckley rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 30-8 win over Western Beaver. Quarterback Jason Dambach passed for 139 yards and a TD and ran for 32 more and another score.

“They have a nice ballclub down there. They were young last year. This year, you can see they are full of confidence and playing really well now,” Mozzocio said. “They have a nice quarterback and some good running backs. They are very well coached on both sides of the ball.

“We have to be solid on defense. We can’t give up big plays and we have to make them earn everything they get. We need to try to win the turnover battle and keep penalties down. We need to take care of ourselves and make sure we’re executing and doing what we have to do.”

That’s exactly what Neshannock did in its win over Shenango. Offensively, the Lancers were dynamic as quarterback Frank Antuono spread the ball around to receivers Jimmy Medure and Seth Dueitt. Robert Lindsey rushed for 62 yards and a score. Rocco Fazio had a defensive TD as well.  

“They have a good running and passing attack. We have our work cut out for us. They do both very well. They play good defense; they bring the heat. They have a nice front. They have a lot of experience,” Liberty said. “I have been doing this for 37 years. They are well coached. I can see that. It’ll be an interesting game.”

The Lancers received good news last week when senior running back Eli Owens was medically cleared to return to game action. Owens, coming off a knee injury, did not play last week, but was dressed and available, if needed. He could play tomorrow.

“He was cleared to go last week. The score dictated that we didn’t need him. It was just another week for him to get stronger and more confident in his cuts. He looks pretty good to be honest with you,” Mozzocio said. “I think he is ready to play. He looked sharp in his cuts, quickness and explosiveness. We’re pretty excited with what we’ve seen. He continues to get stronger. It is as much a mental thing at this point. So far, things look good and he is moving as well as I have seen him. We’re all excited.” 

HOT TICKET ARCHIVE
New Castle looks to defend home field on Senior Night 10/20/16 'Hounds, Hickory put identical 7-0 records on the line Friday night 10/13/16 Neshannock primed for showdown with Riverside 10/6/16 Scotties face key game with Western Beaver 9/22/16 Unbeaten 'Hounds, Sharpsville set for early-season district showdown 9/15/16 Laurel will try to stay unbeaten against Riverside 9/8/16 Neshannock gridders set for clash with Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 9/1/16 WPIAL Class A quarterfinals: 'Cats try to realize semifinal dream 11/12/15 PIAA District 10 Class A Playoffs: 'Hounds looking to be tested in opener 11/12/15 WPIAL Class A quarterfinals: Lancers on doorstep of another semifinal appearance 11/12/15 WPIAL Class AAA Playoffs 2015: 'Canes ready to take their best shot at Mars 11/5/15 WPIAL Class A Playoffs 2015: Wildcats set for first-round test with Springdale 11/5/15 WPIAL Class A Playoffs 2015: Fireworks expected as Lancers entertain Bentworth 11/5/15 WPIAL Class A Playoffs 2015: Union will have hands full against North Catholic 11/5/15 Lancers, Scotties playing for pride, postseason positioning 10/30/15 Big Seven crown in sight for Shenango 10/22/15 It's now or never for Laurel against Beaver 10/15/15 'Canes positioning for WPIAL playoffs, program history 10/8/15 Union , Shenango to lock horns 10/1/15 Scotties to test their mettle against South Side Beaver 9/24/15 Game on: Neshannock read to move forward with Riverside clash looming Friday 9/17/15 Wildcats, Lancers ready for early-season showdown 9/10/15 Laurel knows importance of opening 2015 season strong 9/4/15 WPIAL Playoffs: Unbeaten Neshannock ready for Clairton 11/13/14 District 10 Playoffs: Wilmington to face Cambridge Springs 11/7/14 'Cats ready for big challenge from Clairton 11/6/14 ’Hounds look to take region crown with win over Sharpsville 10/23/14 Laurel, Ellwood ready to rock 10/16/14 More than pride at stake for Ellwood, Mohawk 10/9/14 Shenango, South Side have playoffs in mind 10/4/14 ’Canes looking for cure against Moon 9/25/14 Wilmington ready for West Middlesex matchup 9/18/14 Neshannock, Riverside share similar traits 9/11/14 Shenango, Neshannock set for Saturday night clash 9/4/14 Heading to Heinz? Lancers must get by North Catholic 11/14/13 It’s Neshannock vs. Monessen for Round 2 11/7/13 WPIAL Playoffs: New Castle vs. Highlands 10/31/13 WPIAL Playoffs: Neshannock vs. Brentwood 10/31/13 WPIAL Playoffs: Laurel vs. Avonworth 10/31/13 Laurel, Sto-Rox battle for Big Seven supremacy 10/17/13 Mohawk vs. Ellwood can boost playoff hopes 10/3/13 Union, Laurel to battle in key Big Seven matchup 9/26/13 Neshannock, Shenango have something to prove 9/19/13 Neshannock vs. Sto-Rox a huge early season showdown 9/12/13 Neshannock vs. Laurel a big early season matchup 9/5/13 Game of the Week: Laurel vs. South Side Beaver 8/30/13 District 10 Playoffs: Wilmington and Greenville set for Round 2 11/16/12 WPIAL Semifinals: Neshannock vs. powerhouse Clairton 11/15/12 WPIAL Football Playoffs: Neshannock vs. Jefferson-Morgan could be a shootout 11/2/12 WPIAL Football Playoffs: Union ready to battle Beth-Center 11/2/12 New Castle vs. Hopewell: A ’Canes win and they’re in — and maybe more 10/25/12 Wilmington, Sharon ready to renew annual rivalry 10/18/12 Union, Shenango to battle for inside track at playoffs 10/11/12 Unbeaten Neshannock, Rochester battle for Big Seven lead 10/4/12 Union-Laurel battle could have playoff implications 9/27/12 Game of the Week: Bongivengo returning to Shenango — as opponent 9/20/12 Wilmington set for yet another tough matchup 9/13/12 Chasing History: ’Canes seek 700 against Riverside 9/6/12 District 10 Playoffs: Wilmington must defend General McLane ground attack 11/18/11 WPIAL Playoffs: Ellwood set to battle Greensburg Central 11/11/11 Ellwood to battle Freeport on playoff matchup 11/3/11 ’Canes, Blackhawk to battle for potential playoff spot 10/27/11 Forget records when Wilmington and Sharon clash 10/20/11 Laurel, Ellwood to battle with playoffs on the line 10/13/11 Ellwood to battle mighty Quips with title hopes on line 10/6/11 Mirror images: Unbeaten Wilmington, Hickory to meet 9/29/11 Union celebrating Homecoming, and so will South Side quarterback 9/22/11 Lights, cameras and action: ’Canes to battle Central Valley 9/15/11 Neshannock, Serra ready to grind it out on ground 9/8/11 Wilmington, Sharon set for Round 2 11/19/10 With fresh start, Wilmington looks to squash Grape Pickers 11/12/10 Ellwood to have hands full with unbeaten South Fayette 11/4/10 Ellwood’s WPIAL playoff hopes depend on win in ‘Backyard Brawl’ 10/28/10 Wilmington vs. Sharon: It’s ‘always the game of the year’ 10/21/10 Ellwood vs. Laurel a long time coming — and the stakes are high 10/14/10 New Castle looks to win Shell game against Hopewell 10/7/10 Banged-up Neshannock to battle Western Beaver 9/30/10 Unbeaten Ellwood look to join MAC elite 9/23/10 Shenango matchup with South Side homecoming in more ways than one 9/16/10 Young Wilmington set to battle Greenville 9/9/10 New Castle, Butler renewal rivalry to open season 9/3/10 PIAA Semifinal: Wilmington to battle Greensburg Central Catholic 12/11/09 PIAA PLAYOFFS: Wilmington to meet unbeaten Forest Hills 12/4/09 Wilmington to battle Sharon for District 10 title 11/27/09 WPIAL SEMIFINALS: Laurel and Clairton to battle again 11/20/09 DISTRICT 10 PLAYOFFS: Wilmington to take on North East 11/20/09 WPIAL PLAYOFFS: Laurel to battle Beth-Center 11/13/09 DISTRICT 10 PLAYOFFS: Wilmington to meet Fort LeBoeuf 11/13/09 WPIAL PLAYOFFS: New Castle to battle West Allegheny 11/12/09 WPIAL PLAYOFFS: New Castle set to take on Greensburg Salem 11/5/09 WPIAL PLAYOFFS: Laurel set to take on Burgettstown 11/5/09 With heay hearts, Rockets look to soar against Wilmington 10/29/09 Shenango looking to keep playoff hopes alive at Union 10/22/09 Laurel ready for another conference test in Monaca 10/15/09 Mohawk hopes to keep Ellwood down 10/8/09 Laurel, Rochester to collide for conference lead 10/1/09 Unbeaten Spartans can’t afford to take rival Neshannock lightly 9/24/09 ’Canes look to turn back clock on Blackhawk Friday 9/17/09 ’Canes, Indiana ready to go at it again 9/10/09 Ellwood looking to snap long losing streak 9/4/09 'Canes look to avenge early season loss to Indiana 9/4/09 High-octane West Catholic ready for battle 12/11/08 Wilmington to battle Aliquippa in PIAA semifinal 12/5/08 Wilmington goes ‘back to work’ for PIAA playoffs 11/28/08 Wilmington, Slippery Rock to battle for District 10 title 11/21/08 Wilmington set to clash with General McLane 11/14/08 New Castle ready to take on powerhouse Thomas Jefferson 11/13/08 After rare loss, Wilmington ready for playoffs 11/7/08 ‘Canes look forward to home-field advantage 10/30/08 Numbers irrelevant as Laurel, Shenango prepare for battle 10/23/08 ’Canes control own destiny as Ambridge comes to town 10/16/08 Powerful Rochester next hurdle on Neshannock’s playoff path 10/9/08 Wilmington, Sharon teams match perfect marks as rivalry resumes 10/2/08 Neshannock back in spotlight as South Side Beaver comes calling 9/25/08 Neshannock to initiate field against conference rival Laurel 9/18/08 Union, Rochester ready to rekindle old rivalry 9/11/08 Mohawk looks to learn from loss, bounce back 9/4/08
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