By Joe Sager

New Castle News

 

Mohawk has enjoyed Freedom the past two years.

Shane McFarland relished it the most, though.

The Warriors senior had another big game against the Bulldogs. He led Mohawk to a 35-8 home triumph in a WPIAL Class AA Midwestern Athletic Conference clash. McFarland starred on special teams, offense and defense in the triumph and accounted for three of the team’s touchdowns.

The performance earned him Lawrence County Athlete of the Week honors, an award sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy and selected by the New Castle News sports staff.

Last year, McFarland had a 10-yard touchdown run and returned a punt 85 yards for another score in the team’s 21-20 road win. It snapped the Warriors’ 14-game losing streak.

McFarland was even more successful against Freedom this time around. He made his presence felt right away when he returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.

“I give all the credit to the guys in front of me who had the key blocks to open up seams for me. I made some cuts off some guys’ blocks, but I think those key blocks are what really set me free,” he said. “Freedom is a good team. It’s always good competition. We have high expectations, so we wanted to come out strong and set the tone for the season.”

McFarland certainly helped the Warriors (1-0 conference and overall) do that. In addition to the kickoff return, he returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown. He added 52 yards rushing on six carries. He added a key tackle, an interception and five passes defended — all in the first half alone. For the entire game, he had 73 yards rushing on eight carries.

“I was just doing what I could to help the team win,” McFarland said.

The long kickoff run got Mohawk fired up right away.

“It’s a good way to start out the game. We talk about big plays on special teams. We wanted to make a big play on special teams and, at the same time, we didn’t want to give up a big play on special teams,” Mohawk coach Joe Lamenza said. “When you return the opening kickoff for a touchdown, it’s a very good way to start off a game, momentum-wise.”

Teammate Gio Menichino got into the act as he erupted for TD runs of 62 and 38 yards.

“Gio contributed a lot, too,” McFarland said. “He had a big game as well.”

McFarland’s versatile play is important for the Warriors.

“Shane’s one of our go-to guys. He is a kick returner, a punt returner, a running back and a strong safety,” Lamenza said. “He had good individual performances in all three phases of the game with the kick return and punt return for touchdowns and the long run for a touchdown. He had a nice interception. That’s what we expect from Shane.”

McFarland has been a big part of the Mohawk attack the last two years. Leadership has been added to his skill set this season.

“He has grown tremendously. He has always had a quiet way about him. He is a natural leader. He is more of a guy who speaks with his actions more than his words. When he does have something to say, people listen, which is a good thing,” Lamenza said. “He had a great offseason; he had almost-perfect attendance, going back to December. He is in great physical condition. He put on almost 20 pounds of muscle. The thing about Shane is that he has a phenomenal attitude all around.”

McFarland hopes to lead the Warriors to a WPIAL playoff berth.

“I try to set an example and do the right things and make the right decisions,” he said.

 

 *****

 

THE SHANE MCFARLAND FILE

 

POSITION: Running back/Safety

 TEAM: Mohawk

 GRADE: 12

 KNOWN FOR: McFarland did it all for Mohawk in a 35-8 win against Freedom. He returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, ran a punt 85 yards for another score and added a 40-yard TD sprint.

 PARENTS: Brian and Lucinda McFarland.

 FAVORITE PRO PLAYER AND WHY: Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions. “I watched some film on him and I thought he was just really good.”

 FAVORITE PRO TEAM AND WHY: Pittsburgh Steelers. “They’re just the hometown team”

 FUTURE PLANS: McFarland wants to continue his academic and athletic careers at a four-year college. “I am thinking about majoring in engineering. I’d really like to play football, too.”