Big Second Quarter Carries Greenville Over Cochranton

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Shane Lux | September 14, 2025

Greenville – Greenville put up four second-quarter touchdowns en route to a 41-6 victory over Cochranton Saturday night at Snyder-Stone Field.

Last season, Greenville fell in its opening contest against Wilmington. Also, like last season, starting in their second game, the Trojans started rolling.

Saturday night, Cochranton became the third straight victim to fall by way of the mercy clock, and Greenville’s 28-0 run through the second quarter was why.

“We saw them on film. We told the kids that this team plays really hard,” said Greenville head coach Mike Menold. “They’re going to get at it, and they did. They punched us in the mouth to start. I was impressed with how hard they played.”

Though it was a spirited performance by the Cardinals and much better than their performance a year ago when they fell 62-0, Cochranton still had no answer for Justin Schell, Cael Thurber, and Greenville’s passing attack.

Justin Schell hauled in five passes for 140 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half.

“They were 3-0 coming into this game. They did well in the beginning and ran all over us, which we didn’t expect,” Schell said. “We definitely did a lot better as the game went on. We flipped the switch a little bit. I felt great tonight. The coach had a lot of great play calls. I know with Cael throwing the ball that he can get air under it and let me go get it.”

His first came on an 8-yard reception in the first quarter, following Thurber’s punt return to the Cardinals’ 10-yard line before tossing the opening touchdown.

Cochranton was able to move the ball, driving 54 yards in 12 plays before turning the ball over on downs at the Greenville 25-yard line.

Early in the second quarter, the Trojans faced a 4th-and-14 after having a touchdown called back. Thurber dropped back and found Schell in the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown.

The Cardinals were moving the ball again, but one play after converting a 4th-and-4, Brayden Williams fumbled at the Trojans’ 35-yard line.

Immediately after an encroachment penalty, Thurber launched a bomb to Schell, who got behind the defense for a 60-yard touchdown to break the game open at 22-0.

“We’ve played all sports together, so our chemistry up there,” said Schell. “So I feel like we can make a lot more happen and go on a run.”

Greenville added a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs by Kaysom Meteria and Rudy Gentile to close the first half following 80 and 46-yard drives.

With the mercy rule in effect, the Trojans extended their lead to 41-0 on the initial possession of the second half, when Keith Covert hauled in an 8-yard touchdown from Thurber.

Cael Thurber completed 11 of 15 passes for 240 yards, four touchdowns, and also intercepted a pass on defense.

“I mean, if the balls are in the area, Justin is going to get it,” said Menold. “He never ceases to amaze us, but we have come to expect it, which I guess we’re spoiled in that regard. Cael is truly getting better every week, more and more comfortable. He makes plays all over the field.”

Cochranton scored against the Greenville reserves in the fourth quarter when quarterback Noah Carroll connected with C.J. Shorts on a 40-yard touchdown pass.

Noah Carroll had a nice game for the Cardinals as he completed 10 of 18 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown, while Shorts caught five passes for 101 yards.

“I feel like we’re getting better, and tonight was an excellent test for us,” concluded Menold. “I think that we’ll grow a lot from playing tough football teams like tonight.”

Game Highlights

Greenville 41 Cochranton 6

Score by Quarters

Cochranton – 0 0 0 6 – 6

Greenville – 7 28 6 0 – 41

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

G – Justin Schell 8 yd pass from Cael Thurber, (Logan Campbell pat), 8:46 – 3-10

Second Quarter

G – Schell 29 yd pass from Thurber, (Campbell pat), 10:53 – 9-75

G – Schell 60 yd pass from Thurber, (Logan Leskovac from Thurber), 8:22 – 1-65

G – Kaysom Meteria 1 yd run, ( Campbell pat), 4:18 – 5-80

G – Rudy Gentile 1 yd run, (pass failed), 0:48 – 5-46

Third Quarter

G – Keith Covert 8 yd pass from Thurber, (kick failed), 8:50 – 4-63

Fourth Quarter

C – C.J. Shorts 40 yd pass from Noah Carroll, (pass failed), 6:55 – 4-79

Individual Stats

Rushing: C – Brayden Williams 11-42, Walker Carroll 2-5, Parker Schmitt 5-15, Noah Carroll 4-(-1), Garrett Irwin 1-(-4). Totals: 23-57. G – Gentile 7-89, Meteria 4-4, Landon Porter 6-37, Colton Godfrey 4-0, Tavaine Williams 2-14, Swayze Walker 2-8, Thurber 1-(-4). Totals: 26-148.

Receiving: C – C.J. Shorts 5-101, Justice Walker 2-15, Garrett Irwin 1-2, Walker Carroll 1-7, Williams 1-13. G – Schell 5-140, Keith Covert 3-26, Leskovac 1-34, Gentile 1-16, Hunter Cox 1-14.

Passing: C – Noah Carroll 10-for-18, 138 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. G – Thurber 11 for 15, 230 yards, 4 TD, Dominick Snyder 0-for-2.

Interceptions: G – Thurber.

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