West Greene Dismantles Greensburg Central Catholic 36-0
Written by: Nate Grella on Friday, November 1st, 2019
Heading into the playoffs both West Greene and Greensburg Central Catholic were at the top end of each respective division, however both achieved the matter in vastly different ways. For the Centurions, the offense would be built upon the arm of 1st year starter Junior QB David Altimore, who would throw for over 1100 yards on the year. Behind Altimore, and talented receivers like Brandon Brown and Luke Mazowieki, the Centurions would go on to win 7 games and enter the playoffs as the 7 seed and as a wild card. For the West Greene Pioneers, the road couldn’t have been any different. Riding the back off of talented rusher Ben Jackson, and a deep defensive line, West Greene had dominated their opponents (apart from Clairton) to an undefeated conference record to enter the playoffs as a 2 seed. Both teams were eager to show what they could do in the playoffs.
Throughout the season, the West Greene defensive line has been flying under the radar, and perhaps for the Pioneers that is a good thing. With all of the opponent’s attention on Ben Jackson in the rushing game, a line consisting of Jackson, Corey Wise, Brock Bedillion and Casey Miller has dominated opponents inside and out all year. Greensburg Central Catholic entered the game eager to control the tempo, and it was a complete mismatch.
A quick three and out for the Centurions would become the tone-setter for the game, as the Pioneers received the ball on their own 40. Greensburg Central Catholic would look decent on this drive, however, the brutal rushing attack by Jackson would break it open, with a strong third down run at midfield, followed up by two more 1st down runs to break into the redzone. The drive would last for most of the 1st quarter, as a handoff to Kolin Walker, would give the Pioneers the lead 6-0.
@WGAthleticsPA take it in for 6! Missed Xp makes it 6-0 with 4:29 left in the 1st @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL pic.twitter.com/gRoovmy4JY
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) November 1, 2019
The score wouldn’t stay like that for long. On the following drive, a botched snap fumbled by Altimore in the backfield, would quickly be gobbled up by Jackson and taken in for 8. This touchdown, ironically a defensive one, would become Jackson’s 100th career touchdown in high school.
@fancy_34 with a STRIP AND SCORE makes it 14-0 after the 2 pt conversion 1:21 left in the 1st @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL pic.twitter.com/aWoAeVj1Gq
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) November 1, 2019
With the score 14-0, and with a minute left in the 1st quarter, the game already felt hopeless for the Centurions. The Pioneers defense was humming, and with the downfield rushing attack so potent for the Pioneers, it didn’t look as though the Centurions would be able to stop West Greene on the ground. To make matters worse for the Centurions, following what would be their first 1st down of the night, a pass across the middle to Luke Mazowieki, Austin Crouse would strip the ball out while tackling, taking the ball away, and running backward in for 7 more.
@austin_crouse14 said GIVE IT TO ME and took it all the way back for 7! @WGAthleticsPA leads 21-0 with 26.7 left in the 1st @AJWPIAL @WPAFootball pic.twitter.com/QSD2zemhyE
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) November 1, 2019
With the 2nd quarter just beginning, the game already seemed very much out of hand for GCC. Gavin Scott would fumble on a Pioneers drive, giving the Centurions a bit of hope, however, 4 quick stops would turn the ball right back over to West Greene, who would quickly drive down the field for 7 more (courtesy of Kolin Walker again) to go up 28-0 before the end of the half.
@Kolin_Walker41 takes in another one and now it’s 28-0 with 3:55 left in the half @WPAFootball @AJWPIAL pic.twitter.com/w58l71n6nh
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) November 1, 2019
In the second half, a 70 yard Ben Jackson run followed by a two point conversion ended the game in principle. West Greene would put in backup qb Nathan Orndorff to finish out the match over a running clock.
Takeaways: West Greene is not the same team that got eaten up by Clairton. Greensburg Central Catholic came into this matchup with a very balanced offensive attack of both outside running and passing downfield, and yet the Centurions didn’t even stand a chance. All year West Greene’s secondary has been a question mark, we knew that their defensive line was dominant, yet the secondary had never really been tested. Aside from a costly Nathan Orndorff PI call, the Pioneer secondary played out of this world against a potent receiving corps. Austin Crouse had the strip and score, and along with Wesley Whipkey, dominated between the hash marks. West Greene proved all season that if you were going to beat them you would have to stretch them out and throw the ball, but they proved in this game that you have the throw the ball and be really good at it too.
What’s Next?: West Greene will play Sto-Rox in what will be a highly anticipated 2 vs 3 seed matchup in the WPIAL semifinals
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