Raiders inch closer to playoff spot
JACKSON TWP — What happens when an effective gameplan is combined with near-flawless execution?
Seneca Valley spent Friday evening explaining it to Penn Hills.
The Raiders manhandled the Indians in all aspects of the game in posting a 32-7 victory at NexTier Stadium.
The win vaults SV (3-2, 2-2) ahead of the Indians (3-3, 2-2) in the Northern Seven Conference standings.
“Our guys knew how big this game was and I'm proud of the way they played for a full 48 minutes,” said Raider coach Dave Vestal.
The Raiders let the Indians know of their intentions on the first drive of the game, marching 81 yards in 12 plays to set up a 3rd-and-goal from the Penn Hills 2. Quarterback Jack Cook was then stopped for no gain. On fourth down, Vestal did not hesitate in keeping his offense on the field.
Cook took a shotgun snap and rolled right. Not able to find an open receiver, he turned back to the left and ran toward the end zone, over-powering two Indian defenders at the goalline to score a touchdown with 5:10 remaining in the opening period.
“It was really important for us to score a touchdown there,” Vestal said. “We said, 'Let's go for this and pound it in and set the tone for the game.'”
A bad snap on the extra point kept SV's lead at 6-0, but the Raiders were off and running.
On the team's third drive, a 36-yard screen pass from Cook to halfback Hank Royal sparked a 10-play, 64-yard drive that ended with Dylan Good's 38-yard field goal.
Good added a 31-yard field goal on the last play of the half for a 12-0 edge.
The Penn Hills offense, which put up lofty numbers against weaker teams in its three wins, crumbled against the SV defense.
By halftime, the Indians had a mere 45 yards of offense and three first downs. Their best scoring opportunity in the first 24 minutes came when a 31-yard kickoff return by Azeiryus Britt was followed by a personal foul penalty on the Raiders, moving the ball to the SV 35 with 5:12 left before halftime.
The Indians managed two first downs, but the drive hit a wall at the Raider 9. Erik Antonucci's 26-yard field goal attempt hit the left post.
Penn Hills quarterback Cameron Tarrant, who is also his team's leading rusher, had just 10 yards on six carries after two quarters. He was just 7-of-11 passing for 29 yards.
“Our defense played great,” said Vestal. “He (Tarrant) is a great athlete and we did a good job of containing and pressuring him.”
Cook ended the game with 81 yards rushing and two scores. He added a 22-yard scoring pass to Hank Royal in the fourth quarter.
Royal rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown.
“Hank had a great game, our offensive line had a great game,” said Cook. “It's hard to stop us when we're rolling like this.”
The win was Vestal's 100th career victory. The first 92 came as the head coach at Hopewell.
