Wildcats, Lancers ready for early-season showdown
Written: Sep 10, 2015
  By Andrew Koob
New Castle News
Lawrence County is set for its own rendition of the Backyard Brawl on Saturday.
The Shenango and Neshannock high school football programs will go head-to-head at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Wildcats' Frank Bongivengo Field, a game that easily could have an impact on the outcome of the Big Seven Conference as early as the second week of the season.
Last year's contest did just that, as Neshannock rolled to a 33-0 victory en route to an undefeated conference record. Shenango, on the other hand, finished second in the Big Seven, with its lone conference loss coming against the Lancers (currently 1-0 Big Seven, 1-0 overall).
“That’s yet to be seen. It’s early in the season, we’re getting ready to play a second week football game," Neshannock coach Fred Mozzocio said. "We’ll be as prepared as possible and we’ll go from there. I can’t look into the future and tell what will happen, but we’ll be saddled up and ready to play Saturday.”
The Wildcats (1-0, 1-0), who arguably had their most successful season since 2003 last year, will be looking for their first victory over the Lancers since 2010, a 21-9 decision in the season finale.
“As a program, we’re striving to be the best and win a conference championship," Shenango coach Mike Commesso said. "This would be a big step toward accomplishing those goals and they’re the team to beat. It would definitely be a big win for us."
Both sides are coming off of lopsided victories (Neshannock, 46-21 victors over South Side Beaver, Shenango, a 47-0 winner of Western Beaver) and hope to continue their winning ways Saturday.
“Hopefully it gave our kids some confidence and we got better at executing our stuff," Commesso said. "We’re hoping that trend continues and we’re trying to put together and game where were more disciplined. We have to do a better job with some of the little things, give some more attention to detail."
Added Mozzocio, “Last week was a good victory. As the game went on, we sort of took over and we learned from our early mistakes. Hopefully that carries over against Shenango.”
Shenango will be trying to feed off of that rivalry atmosphere. Yet Commesso knows that the Wildcats will have to keep a calm demeanor with emotions sure to be running high.
“On one hand, it’s something that you have to keep your emotion in check," Commesso said. "But, on the other hand, it’s fun. It’s a rivalry game, the kids will be up for it and hopefully there will be a big crowd. You have to approach it with a level head and not get overhyped.”
Mozzocio and the Lancers will take a more business-like approach heading into the game and beyond, saying that they'll give their best every time they compete.
“To us, this is just another football game," Mozzocio said. "We play the same game every week, doesn’t matter if its South Side, Shenango or Clairton. You’ll get our best every time we get on the field. Hopefully everything from there works out for us."
(Email: AKoob@ncnewsonline.com)
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