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Zietz Twins Go Wild As General McLane Downs Oil City 35-14

Tagged under: District 10, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

| September 6, 2024

Edinboro – The General McLane offensive machine kept rolling Thursday night as the Lancers put up five first-half touchdowns en route to a 35-14 victory over Oil City.

The Lancers started fast and never looked back. With their second consecutive mercy rule victory, they improved to 2-1 on the season.

“I think it goes back to the summer,” said General McLane head coach Marshall McCormick. “We had 40-plus guys all summer long for our volunteer stuff. We do have an intricate offense. We have a lot of options and different formations. We keep it as simple as possible. But our success can’t come without the dedication in the offseason. The kids are starting to buy in, and it’s fun and exciting.”

Once again, the twin brothers of Isaac and Jacob Zietz were leading the way for the Lancers. Isaac tossed a near-perfect game as he completed 11 out of 13 passes for 311 yards and four touchdowns.

Isaac Zietz had a perfect passer rating of 158.3. He has passed for 912 yards, 12 touchdowns, and only a single interception on the season.

“It’s the stuff we’ve been doing in the off-season,” Isaac Zietz said. “Football never stops. The first time we did, it was what we call routes; we started that a couple of weeks after last season ended, working throughout the off-season regardless of the time of year or how it is outside. Whether it’s with my brother or other guys, it’s showing right now.”

Meanwhile, Jacob caught six passes for 209 yards and two scores. Both brothers only played in the first half, where the Lancers built a 35-0 halftime lead, and did not play in the second half.

“Even if I throw a bad ball, he’s going to get it,” said Isaac Zietz. “I think he’s 100% on what you would consider 50-50 balls. I have supreme confidence in him. I always have. I throw it to him whether it’s single, double, or triple coverage.”

Jacob now has 18 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns.

“It’s amazing, but I shouldn’t be taking all the credit,” said Jacob Zietz. “Isaac should be taking much of it, including our offensive line. They’ve been dominant, and they keep Isaac safe back there. Thanks to those guys, I’ve had big games like that. We watch film together when we get home and talk about things we can do better. If they don’t double-cover me, it’s over; you have to double-cover me. If they don’t do that, I will have a game.”

General McLane, who now averages 43 points a game, needed only 1:52 to open the scoring when the Zietz brothers connected on a 40-yard touchdown.

On their next offensive series, the Zietz boys connected on a 53-yard completion before Isaac threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Teige Berger.

Late in the first quarter, the Zietz twins connected again on a 66-yard touchdown pass as Jacob shrugged off defenders and stretched into the end zone. This gave the Lancers a 21-0 lead after a quarter.

“They’re two great young men, “said McCormick. “We’re excited to have them; we knew they’d be special a few years ago. They’ve put in the work and stepped up as leaders. They’re both playing with a ton of confidence right now. If they do decide to take that away, we have other options. A lot of guys have stepped up for us.”

In the second stanza, the Lancers continued to pour it on as Teige Berger capped a 7-play 66-yard drive with a 1-yard run at the 8:29 mark.

Berger rushed for a game-high 65 yards on seven carries while catching one pass for 11 yards and scoring twice.

“It didn’t feel like we ran that many offensive plays,” said McCormick. “But we moved the ball well. The offensive line blocked well, and Teige ran the ball well. We didn’t have too many negative plays, and there were a few penalties here or there that we need to clean up. We return five seniors on the offensive line. The comradery of this group is fantastic. They’ve all bought in and really like each other.”

Oil City’s best chance to score in the first half came when Dawan Cruz returned the ensuing kickoff to the Lancers 26-yard line.

The McLane defense held firm and forced a turnover on downs at their 19-yard line.

“The defense has been great the last two weeks, McCormick said. “The first game was a wake call for us, but last week, our first team only gave up one score, and tonight it was zero. We’re developing our younger guys, and our linebackers have taken a significant step forward from camp to where we are now. P.J. Mitchell and Matt Caro have been flying around the field, making plays for us. I knew we’d get back on track after week 1.”

Three plays after the turnover on downs, Isaac Zietz threw an 82-yard touchdown to Jared Corwin, giving General McLane a 35-0 lead they would carry into the locker room.

The Oilers took the football to begin the second half and marched 75 yards in 11 plays, scoring on an 8-yard deflected pass from Cole Findlay to Hank Lockhart.

The pass was intended for De’Vaughn Griffin, bouncing off his hands into Lockhart’s for the score.

Griffin led the Oilers with 76 yards on four receptions.

Late in the fourth quarter, Findlay scored Oil City’s second touchdown on a 1-yard run following a 65-yard drive. Both Oiler touchdowns came against the Lancers junior varsity defense.

Cole Findlay completed 8-of-13 passes for 148 yards while rushing for 19 yards.

Both schools will be in action next Friday night as General McLane plays host to Franklin and Oil City welcomes Meadville.

“We’re focused on one game at a time,” concluded McCormick. “We know we have some big games coming up. Expectations are high, but our kids are rising to it.”

Game Highlights:

General McLane 35 Oil City 14

Score by Quarters

Oil City – 0 0 6 8 – 14

General McLane – 21 14 0 0 – 35

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

GM – Jacob Zietz 40 yd pass from Isaac Zietz, (McCall Gerlach pat), 10:08 – 5-94

GM – Teige Berger 11 yd pass from Isaac Zietz, (Gerlach pat), 8:07 – 2-64

GM – Jacob Zietz 66 yd pass from Isaac Zietz, (Gerlach pat), 0:53 – 2-76

Second Quarter

GM – Berger 1 yd run, (Gerlach pat), 8:29 – 7-66

GM – Jared Corwin 82 yd pass from Isaac Zietz, (Gerlach pat), 4:48 – 3-81

Third Quarter

OC – Hank Lockhart 8 yd pass from Cole Findlay, (kick blocked), 3:19 – 11-75

Fourth Quarter

OC – Findlay 1 yd run, (Findlay rush), 3:40 – 5-65

Individual Stats

Rushing: OC – Steven Heise 8-25, Dawan Cruz 9-27, Shia Sanchez 5-20, Aaron English 1-2, Cole Findlay 6-19, Aaden Hibbard 1-6. Totals: 30-99. GM – Berger 7-65, Cohen Beachly 5-23, Corwin 1-9, Isaac Zietz 3-5, Nick Swenson 4-18, Holler 1-9, Charlie Bennett 1-4, Matt Caro 1-4. Totals: 23-137.

Receiving: OC – De’Vaughn Griffin 4-76, Gavin Stephens 3-64, Lockhart 1-8. GM – Jacob Zietz 6-209, Corwin 3-85, Caiden Holler 1-6, Berger 1-11. Kyle McConnell 1-4, Lane Marquis 1-(-1).

Passing: OC – Findlay 8-for-13, 148 yards. GM – Isaac Zietz 11-for-13, 311 yards, 4 TD, Caro 2-for-7, 3 yards.

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