Neshannock cruises past Shenango, 43-14

Tagged under: District 7, News, pfn

Garrett Dollin | September 28, 2024

NESHANNOCK TWP, PA – There was no stopping the Lancers offense Friday night.

Following a three-and-out on the first possession of the game, Shenango would try to catch the Lancers sleeping early with a fake punt. However, an overthrow set up Neshannock on the 38-yard line of the Wildcats. On the very next play, the Lancers would respond with a trick play of their own. Quarterback Jino Mozzocio pitched the ball to Anthony Eakin who fired down the field to a wide open Brady Frasso for the score. Shenango’s offense would threaten, thanks to a 39-yard run from AJ Ferilla. However, the drive would stall out on the 31-yard line of Neshannock, another turnover on downs.

The Lancers offense would drive down the field into the red zone before their offense stalled out as well. Nehsannock would still get points on the board after a Nick Bender 25-yard field goal. On the following drive, Shenango would attempt a field goal of their own. However, the 35-yard attempt would be pulled wide right, keeping the Wildcats off the board. Mozzocio would then find a wide open Anthony Eakin over the middle of the field, putting the Lancers up 17-0. Both teams exchanged punts before taking a knee and sending it to the half.

Unfortunately for Shenango, the Lancers offense wouldn’t cool down during the rainy halftime intermission. Freshman runningback Justin Edworthy took the first snap from scrimmage 60-yards to the house, just 21 seconds into the half. A fumbled snap on the extra point would go nowhere, resulting in an unsuccessful attempt. The Lancers defense would stand tall on 4th and 1, giving them the ball back at midfield. Justin Edwowrthy would get the call again, taking the ball 47-yards to the house.

Shenango’s offense would get a much needed response down 30. Quarterback Sam Patton took the designed run through the hole and down the sidelines 29-yards for the Wildcats first score of the game. The Lancers offense would be plagued by penalties and pushed back to their own 16-yard line, but it wasn’t enough to stop them. Mozzocio would find Ethan Beaman over the top down the sideline, winning the 84-yard footrace for the score. The Wildcats weren’t done yet, as AJ Ferilla would cut into the deficit with a 14-yard rushing touchdown. Mozzocio and the Lancers would put the icing on the cake with a 13-yard fake jet sweep keeper, bulldozing into the endzone.

Neshannock improves to 5-1 overall, and 3-0 in conference play. Shenango falls to 1-3 overall, and 1-2 in conference. The Lancers will be on the road next Friday to take on Burgettstown (1-4, 0-3), while the Wildcats will also be on the road when they face off against Laurel (2-4, 2-0).

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