Sharon shuts down Slippery Rock @JasonMac37 @SharonHighOC @SRAHSFootball @SRAHSATHLETICS @CoachLarryW @sharontigers

Tagged under: District 10, Gameday Hub, News

Billy Splain | September 14, 2019

Sharon’s bend but don’t break defense held off Slippery Rock for a 14-0 win Friday night in Sharon.

“Wins feel good, but it’s not about me, it is about our kids,” said Sharon head coach Jason McElhaney. “I’m glad these guys stayed the course and stayed patient. Now we’re back even.”

Though its defense gave up over 300 yards to the Rockets, the Tigers defense made the plays when they had to in order to get the win.

Slippery Rock’s defense went blow-for-blow with Sharon for nearly the entire game.

It was big plays in the Tigers passing game that was able to break the ice.

Sharon’s all-time leading passer Lane Voytik was able to find Ty Eilam open on a 32-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter.

Voytik and Eilam would connect on four passes of at least 32 yards in the game.

That score gave Sharon a 7-0 lead which they would carry into the locker room.

Eilam had a monster game with 157 yards receiving on only six receptions. He had 113 yards on five catches in the first half, while also carrying the ball one time for 19 yards.

Voytik threw for 194 yards on 12-of-22 passing.

Sharon also got a big night on the ground from Brady Ortiz who rushed for a game-high 109 yards on 15 carries.

“We’re finding what our run game is right now, with Lane being beaten up early in the year we’ve had to revamp how we run the ball,” said McElhaney. “We’re finding out what that needs to be. Nobody runs harder than Brady Ortiz, he is a tough man.”

Both teams put drives together in the latter part of the second quarter but saw both drives end with missed field goals.

The Tigers increased their lead in the third quarter when Voytik threw a short pass to C.J Parchman who broke a tackle and scored on a 19-yard reception.

Slippery Rock had moved the ball throughout the game but was unable to do so when it mattered most.

“Defensively we played well, and offensively we had our chances,” said Slippery Rock head coach Larry Wendereusz.

The Rockets had five drives end it Sharon territory.

“We dropped three long touchdown passes, and missed a field goal,” said Wendereusz. “That’s a good football team, and when you have opportunities, you have to take advantage of them.”

Their deepest penetration came on the game’s final drive when Slippery Rock had moved 63 yards from their 20-yard line to the Tigers 17. On the game’s final play, quarterback Vito Pilosi threw incomplete ending the contest.

“We were backed up a few times inside our own 30 and 40-yard lines,” said McElhaney. “Those guys just kept playing hard and we were able to get out of there with zero points.”

Pilosi led Slippery Rock going 16-for-34 passing for 170 yards, while also rushing for 86 yards on 22 attempts.

“We moved the ball well against them, but we just didn’t punch it in,” Wendereusz concluded. “We have work to do. We have Grove City next week. We’re going to start tonight. Hopefully, we can get some things taken care of.”

Both teams now stand at 2-2 on the season. Sharon heads off to Sharpsville next week, while Slippery Rock travels to Grove City.

“I like the direction we’re going now,” McElhaney. “Confidence is such an important thing in any sport and with anything you’re doing. Our guys are playing with confidence right now, and feeling good.”

Game Highlights:

Sharon 14 Slippery Rock 0

Score by Quarters

Slippery Rock – 0 0 0 0 – 0

Sharon – 0 7 7 0 – 14

Scoring Summary

Second Quarter

S – Ty Eilam 32 yd pass from Lane Voytik, (Jake Aucheter pat), 11:48

Third Quarter

S – C.J Parchman 19 yd pass from Voytik, (Aucheter pat), 1:42

Individual Stats

Rushing: Slippery Rock – Vito Pilosi 22-86, David Duffalo 10-23, Nathan Hyatt 4-20. Totals: 36-129. Sharon – Brady Ortiz 15-109, Tyvell Richardson 4-24, Jayden Robinson 3-14, Eilam 1-19, Voytik 4-(-9). Totals: 27-157.

Passing: Slippery Rock – Pilosi 16-for-34, 170 yards, William Mokel 1-for-1, 9 yards. Sharon – Voytik 12-for-22, 194 yards, 2 touchdowns, Trey Jones 0-for-1.

Receiving: Slippery Rock – Jon Sabo 2-19, Hyatt 5-64, Duffalo 4-28, Ethan Plesakov 4-43, Brandon Earl 2-25. Sharon – Eilam 6-157, Parcham 5-37, Jones 1-0.

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