Neshannock to initiate field
against conference rival Laurel
Written: Sep 18, 2008
  By JOE SAGER
ncsports@ncnewsonline.com
It could be a battle of ground vs. air at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow on Neshannock High’s new turf.
The Lancers welcome Laurel to their renovated stadium for a WPIAL Class A Big Seven Conference showdown.
The games takes on even more significance following big wins last week. Laurel (1-0 conference, 1-2 overall) upset South Side Beaver in double overtime while Neshannock (1-0, 2-1) rolled past Shenango.
“I think it’s going to be a big game,” Laurel coach Jerry Holzhauser said. “Both teams are looking good right now.”
Neshannock coach Pat Cuba teaches art at Laurel Elementary, where he developed a close relationship with many of the Spartans.
“This game is special to me because I love the kids on both sides of the field. I root for Laurel kids in every game except against Neshannock.”
“They have a nice team,” Cuba said. “They are well-coached and well-disciplined.”
The Spartans used their aerial attack last week. Quarterback Tyler Forbes passed for 184 yards, 133 and two touchdowns to Jake Dando. Forbes ranks third in the county with 306 passing yards, while Dando leads area receivers with 16 catches and 233 yards.
“They did a nice job ,” Cuba said. “Dando is a big target and Forbes is a nice passer. He really torched us last year. Hopefully, we’ll be a little better prepared this year.”
Meanwhile, the Lancers stuck to the ground at Shenango. Chris Kirkwood piled up 164 yards and quarterback Josh Brown ran for 154. Both reached the end zone twice. Brown leads the county in rushing with 415 yards on 55 carries, while Kirkwood is third with 291 on 36 totes.
But Holzhauser is aware Neshannock can pass as well.
“Neshannock is very capable of throwing the ball with Josh Brown. He’s quite a talent,” he said. “They can lull you to sleep running the ball and if you’re not ready for it, they’ll beat you in the air. They have a strong, big line and an excellent running game. They have all the things to prove they are a quality team. Defensively, they are very solid. That’s what you look for in a good football team and they have it.”
The Lancers know they have the ability to give different looks.
“We’ve run the ball and, when we’ve needed to throw ball, we have. Josh has shown he can do both,” he said. “The kids have done a really good job of working together. I guess the word ‘team’ really does describe the way we are. Not one individual can win it for us. We have to play as a team.”
Holzhauser likes the way his Spartans have progressed.
“They have played hard and wins aren’t easy to come by in this conference. You have to play hard whoever you’re up against,” he said. “On any given night, the team that plays their hearts out and executes is the team that has the best chance of winning.
“We like the way our kids play. They come with a mission every time they take the field. It doesn’t matter if we’re playing Clairton or North Allegheny, our kids won’t be intimidated; we know that,” he continued. “It’s a matter of if we can execute. We’ll leave it all out on the field. If they are better than us at the end of the game and they beat us, that’s the way it goes.
“That’s why it’s so fun to coach these kids. They will give you everything they’ve got.”
Cuba also is pleased with his group.
“I am very happy. Win or lose, they make progress every week,” he said. “We’ve eliminated some of the mistakes from the first games. If we continue to do that, we’ll continue to get better.”
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