Apollo Ridge Handles Shadyside 42-7: A Date With Destiny Awaits. @ApolloRidgeFB @fitz_klay @JoshCastro2021

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Billy Splain | October 10, 2020

Pictures via Deacon Blues (William Spicher)

Apollo Ridge had been quite impressive in their first set of games in the 2020 season and the only question to be asked prior to their game with a young Shadyside Academy team was, “Would the Vikings be looking ahead to a matchup with high flying Serra Catholic next week?”

The answer was firmly, “No.” The Vikings combined a hard hitting defense with a dangerous multi-faceted offensive game to carry themselves to a dominating 42-7 victory.

THE GAME

On Shadyside’s first drive, they began from their own 15. Senior QB Josh Castro started off with a carry for 6 yards. Castro’s first pass on the next play was intercepted by Klay Fitztroy at the 30, giving Ridge great field position.

After a gain of 6 by Junior Angelo Cicco, senior Logan Harmon blasted through for 12 and a fresh set of downs. On 3^rd and goal from the 10, senior QB Jake Fello hit Keighton Reese for a touchdown pass in the corner of the endzone. Gavin Cole’s PAT made it 7-0 with 9:04 to go in the opening quarter.

Apollo Ridge’s defense held on the ensuing Shady Side drive and after a punt and a penalty, Ridge took over on their own 20.

Distance didn’t matter as Ridge marched right down the field and scored on a Logan Harmon 10 yard carry to push the score to 14-0 with 3:51 to go in the first, which the score would remain at the conclusion of the first.

After holding Shadyside 3 and out, Apollo took over on their 30. Fello hit Fitzroy for a 35 yard gain and after a pas

s interference, Logan Harmon banged his way into the endzone from 5 yards out to make it 21-0, as Cole hit the PAT into the backyard of the residence outside the fence.

Ridge kicked off with excellent coverage, pinning Shadyside back at their 11. Castro found Joey Bellinotti for a gain of 11 and then Isaiah Grier for 7, stretching their passing game. Following a false start and two incomplete passes, Shadyside was forced to punt.

Apollo Ridge began from their 25 with 5:30 to go and was unable to find a first down, punting for the first time.

Shadyside took over on their own 29 and went 3 and out, and Logan Harmon took Ridge across the goal line to extend the lead to 28-0 at the half.

In the third, Shadyside mounted their best drive of the evening behind a slew of Castro completions. They were able to move the sticks twice before their drive stalled out, giving Ridge the ball on their 35.

Jake Fello carried for 38 yards and two plays later Logan Harmon found paydirt to extend the score to 35-0 and bring running time midway through the third quarter. Shadyside returned fire on their next drive as Castro hit Jones for a 19 yard TD pass to cut the score to 35-7 late in the third.

Apollo Ridge began to utilize its second string in the fourth. Freshman QB Carter Schrock showcased his legs with keepers to move the stick twice, along with help from fellow freshman Levi Harmon, younger brother of senior star Logan. Schrock scored late to push the game back to running tim

e and set the final of 42-7.

FINAL THOUGHTS

For Shadyside Academy, they have to simply continue growing. A roster peppered with freshmen and sophomores needs to stay positive and focus on building together as a unit for the next two years and make some noise as they become juniors and seniors—Their best run may lie ahead.

Apollo Ridge has plenty of offensive weapons in their arsenal. Jake Fello is a solid QB. They have 4 legitimate receiving options in Keighton Reese, Klay Fitzroy, Dom Reiter and Angelo Cicco. That number expands to five when you factor in injured sophomore Nick Curci, who expects to suit up against Serra. They’ve got one of the best running backs at the smaller school classifications in the WPIAL in Logan Harmon, a bruising senior who colleges are paying attention to. He finished the night with 16 carries for 122 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Their defensive unit, consisting of many of the same players I just mentioned, knows how to create turnovers and come up with big stops. They’ll have to make more than a handful of them next week to beat Serra.

The Vikings linemen anchor a group of seniors who have found increasing success throughout their four years and have been a tight knit crew since middle school—something rarely seen anymore.

They face their date with destiny next week against Serra Catholic, a program which I believe has been a sleeping giant for ages that has come to life. For a gr

oup of seniors looking to leave a legacy behind them, to have a plaque with their names and photos at the school entrance for a divisional title, this is their moment in the sun that awaits. Can they climb the mountain? We find out next Friday.<

Final Thoughts after @ApolloRidgeFB victory over Shadyside Academy and a look ahead to next week’s date with destiny for their senior class. @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/BXcfZvhyDz

— Alex Fydryszewski (@FydSports) October 10, 2020

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More video of this game HERE

Pictures via Deacon Blues (William Spicher)

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