By Corey J. Corbin

New Castle News

Dalton Rosta calls himself a power back.

Physically, that may be true, but the Laurel High running back may want to reconsider after ripping off three touchdown runs of more than 30 yards in the Spartans’ 49-6 WPIAL Class A Big Seven win over Western Beaver on Friday night.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Rosta scored on touchdown runs of 12, 31, 36 and 38 yards en route to a career-high 201 yards rushing on 13 carries.

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.

“I’m definitely a power guy, but I can do other things,” said Rosta, who is still rehabbing a knee injury suffered during the wrestling season in February. “I’m elusive at times and I have some speed, but I’m more of a power back, for sure.

“My running back coach came in at halftime and said I was on my way to 300. He said I had like 150 at halftime, so I knew I was close. Going on the field, I didn’t know how much I had, because I really don’t pay attention to how long my runs are or how many yards and carries I have. I just go out and play.”

The 201 yards against Western Beaver were 10 more yards than Rosta had in the first five games combined and the most by a Laurel player this fall.

“He did a great job of finding the seam,” first-year Laurel coach Pat Cuba said. “Once he finds the seam, he’s a hard kid to bring down. He’s a big, physical kid. He’s got good speed. When he gets in the open, he’ll either run people over or he’ll run past people. He’s a really good athlete.”

The Spartans have had three different runners — quarterback Josh Dando and running backs Matty Conway and Rosta — pass the century mark this year, which makes Laurel difficult to prepare for on a weekly basis.

“That’s what I tell these guys — it’s based on what the other teams give us,” Cuba said. “Two weeks ago, they were giving us the power game. Matty was carrying the ball and Dalton was blocking for him. This time, they were opening up the inside, so Dalton got the ball and pounded them inside. They never adjusted, so he kept carrying the ball.

“He’s very quick. If he gets a little seam to run through, he’s already on the second or third level with his quickness. With his physical size, people don’t really want to mess with him once he gets there.”

The Spartans’ offensive line of tackles Aaron Vanasco and Alec Covelli, guards Sean Harlan and Eric Leasure, center Rick Nail and tight ends Spencer Pullium and Joseph Haybarger paved the way for a 100-yard rusher for the second week in a row.

“My line did a great job of blocking,” said Rosta, who has 392 yards rushing on 39 carries this year. “I have to give it all to them — Rick Nail, Aaron Vanasco, Alec Covelli, Sean Harlan and Eric Leasure. They were making big holes and I was just running through them — half of them I was untouched. I’d make a cut and sprint to the end zone.”

Rosta’s speed from his middle linebacker spot causes all kinds of problems for opposing offenses.

“He creates a lot of havoc for the offensive line,” Cuba said. “He creates opportunities where they have to put more than one person on him, which frees other people up. He does a great job on the defensive side of the ball. He gets up field and creates problems for the offensive line and the quarterback. He’s on people quicker than they’re ready. They have to adjust to his quickness.”

With the win over Western Beaver, the Spartans kept their Big Seven championship hopes alive.

“We were tied in the conference at 3-1,” Rosta said. “Getting the win was really important. If we beat Rochester this week,, we go into Sto-Rox against an undefeated team with a chance at a conference championship, so it gives us the confidence to go in and beat the teams we have left on our schedule. We’re looking forward to Sto-Rox, but we can’t look past Rochester.”

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THE DALTON ROSTA FILE

POSITION: Running Back/Middle Linebacker

TEAM: Laurel

GRADE: 12

PARENTS: Paul Rosta and Abbie Brown

KNOWN FOR: Rushed for a career-high 201 yards on 13 carries in a big 49-6 victory over WPIAL Class A Big Seven foe Western Beaver. He also scored his first four touchdowns of the season.

FAVORITE PRO PLAYER AND WHY: Adrian Peterson. “He runs the ball really hard. He’s a beast.”

FAVORITE PRO TEAM AND WHY: Pittsburgh Steelers. “They’re the hometown team and growing up I really liked their jerseys, so I started watching them.”

FUTURE PLANS: “I want to go to college and play football. I want to major in criminal justice.”