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The AML Dominates the KSAC in Pennsylvania’s First H.S. Football Game of the Year

Tagged under: All-Stars, District 9, Gameday Hub, News

| August 8, 2020

social distancing on the sidelines

 

The Cancel Culture and football nay-sayers were losers in the Allegheny Mountain League’s 24-6 victory over the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference last night in Brockway at Frank Varischetti Field.  “We need to play football.  The kids need to play football.  I hope the PIAA does the right thing,” stated winning coach Tony Gerg of Elk County Catholic.  Following protocol all week in practice as put forth by the PIAA and the Brockway School District, competitors from both squads showed the public and Governor Wolf that the sport can be played and played safely with regards to the current state of affairs.  The kids put on quite a show, but was attended by only the media, game workers and game officials within the stadium, and maybe 150+ fans outside the stadium.  Everyone who had permission to enter the stadium had their temperature taken and were asked specific questions as an added precaution.

It was a perfect evening for high school football under the Friday Night Lights.  The weather couldn’t have been better and the AML proved to be the better team as they had a few more weapons than the KSAC.  The AML outgained the KSAC in yardage 312 to 125, including out rushing them 205 yards to 100.  The AML also benefitted by forcing the only turnovers of the game, an interception by John Wittman of Elk County and a fumble recovery apparently by Caleb Nuzzo of Bradford on the KSAC’s opening possession of the second half.


But in spite of the AML’s statistical advantage, the game was in doubt until half way through the 4th quarter when Wittman broke off a 50-yard TD jaunt to push the score to 24-6.  That was his only touch offensively of the night.  Wittman secured the AML win with that run, but also turned the momentum of the game on the first play of the last quarter.  On a second and seven from the AML 13, he stepped in front of an Isaak Jones pass at the two to snuff out the scoring threat that could have potentially drawn the KSAC to within three points had they scored.  “What about Wittman,” an enthusiastic Coach Gerg said of his former player during questioning after the game.

Aaron Hottel of Kane easily booted a 39-yard field goal with 4:20 left in the first quarter to open the game’s scoring and put the AML up 3-0.  That was followed by a 70-yard KSAC drive which resulted in a touchdown when Karns City’s Anthony Kamenski sent a pass to fellow Gremlin Hunter Rowe, who hauled it in for the 19-yard score.  Little did anyone know this would be the KSAC’s only points of the night as the AML tightened the defense allowing a total of 45 yards the rest of the game.

The AML gained the lead for good by scoring twice in the second stanza.  Ridgway’s Paul Gresco threw a 34-yard strike to his former Elker mate, Austin Green, at the 9:21 mark of the second to give his team a 10-6 lead after Hotten’s first of three PATs.  “Green’s a heck of an athlete.  We knew with the two of them playing together,  a score would happen sooner or later,” said Gerg.  Then, after a very short punt late in the half, the AML increased their lead to 17-6 on a Gresco pass to another ex-teammate, Matt Dush, for a 12-yard touchdown.

The only score of the second half was Wittman’s run.  The third and fourth quarters saw some hard-hitting football, a few more penalties, and a couple scoring chances thwarted which included Cain Pfoutz of St, Marys blocking a 23-yard field goal attempt by Hottel.  In the end, Gerg had nothing but praise for the KSAC kids, “this was a great game and those kids over there played their hearts out.”  Rowe was the Offensive MVP for the KSAC with 81 yards rushing on 12 carries and 1 pass catch for a touchdown.  Alex Rapp of Keystone was the KSAC defensive MVP.  The AML’s defensive star was Wittman and their offensive MVP was Austin Green who hauled in three passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.

 

This all-star game had lots of emotion and enthusiasm by players for a big reason.  In talking to a few of the kids, it was due to the fact that they were playing for their former teammates who haven’t graduated yet and all high school players across Pennsylvania who have been investing in and working hard for a season that may not be due to politics hidden behind the mask of a thing called Coronavirus.  The overwhelming thought after the game was there is no reason, at least in District 9, that high school football should not proceed and be played.  “Leave it up to the parents, they are the ones most qualified to decide what’s best for their kids,” stated Gerg.

 

 

 

GALLERY VIA PAUL BURDICK, MAXPREPS

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