Laurel completes perfect regular season, rolls past Neshannock @Nesh_Sports

Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News

Shane Lux | October 29, 2021

Hickory Township – For the first time since 1977, the Laurel Spartans have an undefeated regular season.

“This league’s a grind, and to be able to go undefeated is something special,” said Laurel head Brian Cooper. “I told the kids that we made history, we’re going to enjoy this weekend. Then we need to make sure we come back Monday and be focused on our next goal.”

Laurel made all the right moves and opened up a 35-0 halftime lead, and never looked en route to a 35-6 rout of the Lancers.

“I didn’t expect us to be ahead 35-0 by halftime,” said Cooper. “Neshannock is a good football team. Early on, penalties hurt us. We were hoping to get a couple of scores before halftime. The next we knew, we were up by 35.”

Once again, Kobe DeRosa and Luke McCoy led the way offensively as DeRosa rushed for a game-high 136 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns. While also completing 4-of-5 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. McCoy rushed for 92 yards on 14 attempts with two scores.

McCoy broke the Laurel single-season rushing record.

“Before the game, we gave Luke the game ball from last week when he became the career rushing leader at Laurel,” said Cooper. “There have been several greats backs here over the years. After missing his sophomore season with a torn ACL, he did it, and a Covid shortened 2020 season. He did it amazingly, and this whole team is a special group.”

The Spartans jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. DeRosa scored on an 18-yard run; then tossed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Mike Pasquarello.

Midway through the second quarter, Laurel was knocking at the door at the Lancers 2-yard line. Following a bad snap. Peyton Weaver appeared to return the fumble 95 yards for a touchdown.

The touchdown was negated, and Neshannock went on to punt.

On the next play from scrimmage, McCoy ripped off a 56-yard touchdown run.

After forcing another three-and-out, DeRosa broke loose for a 58-yard touchdown on the next play.

“We know we have special athletes that can make those big plays happen,” said Cooper. “You may be able to stop them a few times, but usually, they’ll be able to find a seam and break a big play.”

Things continued to snowball out of control for Neshannock as they fumbled the ensuing kickoff, with Laurel recovering at the Lancers 42-yard line.

“We played undisciplined football in the first half,” said Neshannock head coach Fred Mozzocio. “We had our chances to make it a football game. I guess we hit somebody in the back on that fumble for it to get called back. I think our kids lost some focus after that sequence. That is not Neshannock football.”

Laurel scored their third touchdown in three minutes as McCoy scored from five yards out to invoke the mercy clock for the second half.

“Our defense put us in a great position to be able to make those plays,” said Cooper. “Our offense then got ignited at the end of the half, and the rest is history.”

Neshannock was able to get on the scoreboard in the third quarter, scoring on a 14-play 70-yard drive that chewed up nearly ten minutes of the third quarter.

Kurt Sommerfield tossed a 2-yard touchdown to Adian Shaffer. Somerfield completed 5-of-17 passes for 66 yards, while also rushing for 27 yards on 11 carries. Peyton Weaver added 47 yards on seven attempts.

“We were able to play better and get a drive going in the second half,” said Mozzocio. “However, this is Neshannock, and we don’t play for moral victories. We’re here to win football games. Overall disappointed, but we’re going to wake up tomorrow morning and get ready for next week.”

The Lancers recovered the onside kick but were forced to punt.

Laurel played its junior varsity team in the second half and only ran six plays of offense.

“We need to focus on getting better and our next goal in hand,” concluded Cooper.”

Both Laurel and Neshannock will advance to the WPIAL Class AA Playoffs.

“We’re in the playoffs, and that is what matters even if this had been a lot closer,” Mozzocio said. “We are going to be ready to play a playoff game. Whoever it is will get our best effort.”

Game Highlights:

Laurel 35 Neshannock 6

Score by Quarters

Neshannock – 0 0 6 0 – 6
Laurel – 14 21 0 0 – 35

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

L – Kobe DeRosa 18 yd run, (Zane Boughter pat), 4:13

L – Mike Pasquarello 31 yd pass from DeRosa, (Boughter pat), 1:43

Second Quarter

L – Luke McCoy 56 yd run, (Boughter pat), 3:36

L – DeRosa 58 yd run, (Boughter pat), 1:42

L – McCoy 5 yd run, (Boughter pat), 0:26

Third Quarter

N – Aidan Shaffer 2 yd pass from Kurt Sommerfield, (kick failed), 2:40

Individual Stats

Rushing: Neshannock – Kurt Sommerfield 11-27, Peyton Weaver 7-47, Matt Ioanilli 4-11, Braden Huff 1-3, Jackson Billyk 1-2. Totals: 9-17. Laurel – McCoy 14-92, DeRosa 12-136, Pasquarello 1-11, Chase Tinstman 2-3, Landon Smith 2-3, Team 3-(-14). Totals: 34-231.

Receiving: Neshannock – Braden Huff 1-(-2), Sommerfield 1-1, Shaffer 2-9, Jonny 1-14, Ronnie DeMase 2-43. Laurel- Logan Ayers 2-44, Pasquarello 1-31, McCoy 1-9.

Passing: Neshannock – Jonny Huff 2-for-3, (-1) yard, Sommerfield 5-for-17 66 yards, 1 touchdown. Laurel – DeRosa 4-for-5, 83 yards, 1 touchdown, Tinstman 0-for-1.

Interceptions: Laurel – Pasaeello.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews