Avella upsets West Greene 21-20 on the road to improve to 3-0 for the first since 2013 @carter_newcome
Tagged under: District 7, News
Nate Grella | September 25, 2020
By Carter Newcome
A late touchdown by West Greene pulled the Pioneers to within 1 point of Avella with just 5 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. However, the Eagles defense answered when it needed it the most. They would recover the ensuing onside kick and killed the clock to improve to what most would consider a surprising 3-0 record.
AVELLA HOLDS! They lead 21-20, 5:12 4Q @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/jr3iuAjan0
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) September 25, 2020
“It feels fantastic, we put a lot of hard work in the summer, we’ve turned it around, and this group of kids is a great group of kids, it’s just great to work with them.” Coach Ryan Cecchini said after the game.
Avella trailed early in the game when Cory Wise opened the game with a 65-yard Touchdown grab. It was especially a demoralizing start as Wise put not one but two Eagle defenders on the ground with a stiff arm. The Pioneers would take an 8-0 lead and controlled most of the game early on.
@CoreyWise43 makes two INCREDIBLE stiff arms on his way to a 65 yard touchdown reception 8-0 @wgpioneers @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/uJfrQ2kDuw
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) September 24, 2020
“They never give, there attitude never changed, they never got their heads down, we just kept playing.” Avella scored late in the first half to make it 8-6 heading to the half. That’s when the Eagles would face adversity again after Colin Brady scampered for a 43-yard run on the West Greene’s opening possession of the second half. Brady than tipped and intercepted KJ Rush on Avella’s next possession.
Avella would hold on defense and tie the game when Tanner Terensky did his best Randy Moss impersonation catching a pass over two Pioneer defenders. Terenky’s catch from
Tanner Terensky makes a big time catch over West Greene’s secondary for a @AvellaArea touchdown. 2 pt conversion is good and we are tied 14-14 with 2:25 in the 3rd Quarter @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/KpdUbVSYPb
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) September 25, 2020
KJ Rush came on a big 4th down and long in Pioneer territory. The Eagles would recover a botched kickoff and marched right back down the field again. KJ Rush threw his 2nd Touchdown pass of the night on the back should of Gabe Lis. Avella made the PAT and led 21-14 heading to the 4th.
Avella takes the lead! KJ Rush hits Gabe Lis on the back shoulder @AvellaArea 21 @wgpioneers 14 End of 3Q @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/F4xQ7EoEb9
— Carter Newcome (@carter_newcome) September 25, 2020
Following a Dalton Lucey interception, West Greene had the football with 7 minutes remaining. The Pioneers drove right down the field and scored when Wesley Whipkey fooled everyone on an option. He walked into the endzone and made it 21-20. The Avella defense bent but didn’t break and held Cory Wise out of the endzone to move to 3-0.
Avella moves into 1st place in the Tri-County South and has a date with California next week. West Greene falls to 1-1 after having a last week’s game with California canceled. They will play on the road at Carmichaels next Friday.
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