Laurel races past North East @Picker_Football
Tagged under: District 10, District 7, Gameday Hub, News
Shane Lux | August 28, 2021
New Castle: Luke McCoy and Kobe DeRosa combined to rush for 274 and four touchdowns as Laurel dominated North East 56-6 Friday night at Spartan Stadium.
“I’m very pleased with the way our skilled kids played tonight,” said Laurel head coach Brian Cooper. We had three drives where there was only one play on it. I’m proud of the big offensive plays tonight.”
Laurel wasted little time starting the season with a bang. McCoy took the opening handoff and raced 62 yards for a touchdown.
McCoy would add touchdowns runs of 12 and 50 yards while rushing for a game-high 157 yards on just five carries in less than two quarters.
Laurel making it look easy, McCoy 50 yd run, Laurel 35 North East 0, 9:24, McCoy 5 carries 141 yards 3 TD @AJWPIAL pic.twitter.com/VZmtkFjZHl
— Shane Lux (@PFN_Luxy) August 28, 2021
“Luke is such an explosive athlete, he’s able to not only run hard downhill, but he has quick feet and can elude you as well, said Cooper.
“The concern we had entering the season was our line on both sides of the ball,” said Cooper. “We did a good job tonight, including our other skill players blocking downfield.”
Spartan quarterback Kobe DeRosa also had a monster game as he rushed for 117 yards on eight carries and accounted for three total touchdowns.
DeRosa ran a 3-yard touchdown and tossed two scores to Miek Pasquarello from 15 and 46 yards, respectively.
Pasquarello caught three passes for 79 yards and the two scores, while DeRosa went 4-for-5, passing for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
“There are a lot of great athletes on this team, and DeRosa, like McCoy, is a special player. They can truck you as well as run past you, said,” Cooper. I’m happy with the progression Kobe has made at quarterback.”
Laurel’s junior varsity got into the game with three minutes to play in the first half when Pasquarello intercepted North East’s, Jackson Humes.
Six plays later, Chase Tinstman scored from three yards out.
Laurel led 49-0 at halftime and limited the Grape Pickers to 49 yards of offense in the first half.
The second half began under the PIAA’s mercy rule.
Laurel extended their lead when Brady Cooper intercepted Humes. That led to Tinstman’s second touchdown of the game from 15 yards out.
The Spartans scored touchdowns on each of their first eight possessions.
“From here, it’s all about us getting better,” Cooper concluded. If we focus on getting better each week, everything else will take care of itself.”
North East finally got the scoreboard with 8:07 left in the game.
Jackson Humes connected with Zane Knight-Strong on a 47-yard touchdown pass, bringing the final score to 56-6.
I missed this during the game. Here is @Picker_Football TD from tonight. Zane Knight-Strong 47-yard pass from Jackson Humes. Always great to our friends in North East. pic.twitter.com/l255ODwwRx
— Shane Lux (@PFN_Luxy) August 28, 2021
Humes led the Grape Pickers, completing 10-of-17 passes for 113, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Knight-Strong hauled in seven passes for 88 yards.
“Our kids won’t quit, said North East head coach Shawn Humes. “We were out athlete sized by a superior opponent tonight. I give Laurel credit. They have a great program and are well-coached. We need to fix the turnovers and some things along the line. We’ll be okay moving forward.”
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRjTdQR_LQ0
Laurel 56 North East 6
Score by Quarters
North East – 0 0 0 6 – 6
Laurel – 21 28 7 0 – 56
Scoring Summary
First Quater
L – Luke McCoy 62 yd run, (Kobe DeRosa pat), 11:41
L – Mike Pasquarello 15 yd pass from DeRosa, (kick failed), 7:17
L – McCoy 12 yd run, (Pasquarello rush), 4:10
Second Quarter
L – DeRosa 3 yd run, (Zane Boughter pat), 11:17
L – McCoy 50 yd run, (Boughter pat), 9:24
L – Pasquarello 46 yd pass from DeRosa, (Boughter pat), 3:27
L – Chase Tinstman 3 yd run, (Boughter pat), 0:17
Third Quarter
L – Tinstman 15 yd run, (Boughter pat), 2:58
Fourth Quarter
NE – Zane Knight-Strong 47 yd pass from Jackson Humes, (kick failed), 8:07
Individual Stats
Rushing: North East – Tyler Wittman 14-56, Casey Burch 11-20, Zane Knight-Strong 3-8, Jackson Humes 2-(-15), Team 2-(-3). Totals: 32-66. Laurel – McCoy 5-157, DeRosa 8-117, Colin Bartley 2-17, Aidan Collins 3-14, Tinstman 3-19, Landon Smith 2-18, Ben Hennon 3-2, Jackson Sauders 2-27, Team 1-(-11). Totals: 29-360.
Receiving: North East – Knight-Strong 7-88, Matt Hubbard 1-4, Anthony Rizzo 1-13, Landon Babo 1-8. Laurel – Passquarello 3-79, Josh Gibson 1-3.
Passing: North East – Humes 10-for-17, 113 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions. Laurel – DeRosa 4-for-5, 82 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Interceptions: Laurel – Pasquarello, Brady Cooper.
Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews
