Fort Cherry Flexes Its Muscles In Rout of Jeannette

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Shane Lux | October 16, 2026

Jeannette – Fort Cherry exploded for 35 first-half points in a 42-3 rout of Jeannette at McKee Stadium Thursday night.

Although it was a non-conference game, Thursday night’s battle between two of the top WPIAL Class A programs drew plenty of hype.

Both schools entered the contest at 6-1; the Rangers had won three straight mercy-clock games, while the Jayhawks were on a 6-game roll.

The contest also aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh, but, as in some cases, the hype turned out to be far better than the game.

“I think our kids really came out and put a stamp on this game,” said Fort Cherry head coach Tanner Garry. “I told them after the game that the physicality they played with is what I’m the most proud of. Execution is the one thing I know that’s very important, but we always want to make sure we’re the most physical team on the field.”

Fort Cherry flexed their muscles and dominated every phase of the game. The Rangers’ first-team offense scored on all but one possession, while their special teams found the end zone and returned two other punts deep in Jayhawks territory, winning the battle of field position.

Defensively, Jeannette was limited to 50 yards of offense, including a net loss of three rushing yards.

“We’ve been a very soild defense this year,” said Garry. “They keep getting better and better each week. When all 11 of these guys play as one, you’re going to see good results.

The Rangers got things going immediately, taking the opening kickoff and driving 92 yards in 12 plays to open the scoring on Ryan Huey’s 1-yard run.

Ryan Huey 1 yd, Fort Cherry 7 Jeannette 0, 7:12 1st, @FortCherryFB https://t.co/MXlFtjU7z0

— Shane Lux (@PFN_Luxy) October 15, 2026

“We wanted to start hot,” Garry said. “That first drive was very methodical, and we were picking our spots. For them to go down the field and punch that in was a tone setter.”

They quickly doubled their lead when Joey Barna returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown.

After Josh Silveira intercepted a pass at the Jayhawks’ 49-yard line, Eli Salvini scored on a 35-yard run just ten seconds into the second frame.

Two more long punt returns set the Rangers up with two short fields, and Huey and Salvini each punched in their second rushing scores of the night on 2- and 12-yard runs, respectively, capping 38- and 27-yard drives.

Fort Cherry led 35-0 with 7:12 to play in the first half.

Jeannette scored late in the first half when McAlister Steele booted a 42-yard field goal. Hunter Schaffer caught a 26-yard pass from Jayce Powell.

The Rangers invoked the mercy clock following Landon Trnavsky’s punt return to the Jayhawks 15-yard line. Three plays later, Salvini scored his third touchdown of the night on a 4-yard run.

Salvini 4 yd run, Fort Cherry 42 Jeannette 3, 9:22 3rd, @FortCherryFB @PFNBackyard @AJWPIAL https://t.co/uVGlwNjqC2

— Shane Lux (@PFN_Luxy) October 16, 2026

Eli Salvini rushed for 129 yards on 16 carries and caught one 39-yard pass. Huey added 25 yards on seven carries, and Colin Sieg completed 5 of 8 passes for 90 yards.

“I think we did a phenomenal job setting the tone,” Salvini said. “We came out and played our brand of football. It’s nice to be one of the leaders, lifting others; I love that. I can’t do it without my line and everything they do for me. Everyone did a great job tonight.”

Fort Cherry will look to keep the momentum going when they host Brentwood next Friday night. Jeannette will look to bounce back when they host winless Leechburg.

Game Highlights

Fort Cherry 42, Jeannette 3

Score by Quarters

Fort Cherry – 14 21 7 0 – 42

Jeannette – 0 3 0 0 – 3

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

FC – Ryan Huey 1 yd run, (Drew Gilbert pat), 7:12 – 12-92

FC – Joey Barna 95 yd punt return, (Gilbert pat), 3:31

Second Quarter

FC – Eli Salvini 35 yd run, (Gilbert pat), 11:50 – 2-49

FC – Huey 2 yd run, (Gilbert pat), 9:19 – 3-38

FC – Salvini 12 yd run, (Gilbert pat), 7:12 – 2-27

J – McAlister Steele 42 yd field goal, 3:10 – 7-43

Third Quarter

FC – Salvini 4 yd run, (Gilbert pat), 9:22 – 3-15

Individual Stats

Rushing: FC – Salvini 16-129, Huey 7-25, Landon Trnavsky 1-35, Colin Sieg 3-15, Jordan Bianchi 4-30, Zach Rodriguez 5-14, Zemorian Evans 2-(-1), Nick Cooper 1-(-12). Totals: 39-235. J – Malcolm Steele 2-4, Hunter Schaffer 4-2, Dhestin Sanders 4-(-7), Vance Quin’C 5-2, Majhi Sanders 1-(-2), Team 1-(-2). Totals: 17-(-3).

Receiving: FC – Trnavsky 3-46, Salvini 1-39, Barna 1-5. J – Jayce Powell 3-43, Dhestin Sanders 3-10.

Passing: FC – Sieg 5-for-8, 90 yards. J – Schaffer 6-for-19, 53 yards, 1 INT.

Interceptions: FC – Josh Silveira.