Neigborhood Clash
CRANBERRY TWP — Public vs. private. Neighbor vs. neighbor.
Seneca Valley's 12U youth football team hosted the North Catholic Ironmen in a unique match-up Saturday night at Graham Park. It was the first-ever game between the two programs.
“The directors of both programs got together and made this happen,” Ironmen coach Jarrod Siket said. “We play in different leagues, but youth teams are declining and it's getting harder to fill out schedules.
“They have the same problem we have that way, so we decided to get together.”
The Ironmen play in the Greater Pittsburgh Diocese league while the Raiders compete in the Parkway League. Siket said 26 of his players are from Zelienople, Cranberry, Mars, Seven Fields, etc.
“I know a few of their kids,” SV coach Pat Brugos said. “One of them, Marc Pieto, played for our 7U, 9U and 10U teams. His mom was our team mother.
“We're always interested in playing good competition. But the game has to be competitive. A non-competitive game benefits no one.”
This game was certainly competitive.
Ironmen quarterback Jason Siket's third touchdown of the game — a 6-yard run with 9:14 remaining — gave North Catholic a 20-16 victory. The game was played in front of solid crowds from both sides.
Seneca Valley, which put together a 13-play, 63-yard drive to take a 16-14 lead on its previous possession, embarked upon a 12-play drive after the Ironmen took the lead.
The Raiders converted a pair of fourth downs and moved inside the Ironmen 40 with 2:22 to play. But Jason Siket intercepted a pass to end the possession and seal the win.The game marked the first of the season for both teams.“Beautiful night, playing under the lights on a high-quality grass field ... This was a great atmosphere,” Coach Siket said. “Any high school team would love to play on this field.“We'd love to make this an annual game. I think it's good for the community.”Jason Siket had 11 carries for 74 yards and scored touchdowns on runs of 3, 15 and 6 yards. He also completed two passes for 60 yards to Brady Koziara to set up scores.Luke Baker had a 79-yard interception return for a touchdown negated by a penalty. Troy Timko intercepted a pass to set up an Ironmen score as well.Kai West led Seneca Valley with 18 carries for 98 yards, He scored on an 8-yard run and returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown.Samy Bayer had 16 carries for 58 yards and recovered a fumble for the Raiders. Luke Challingsworth caught a pair of passes for 29 yards.Seneca Valley won the Parkway's Super Bowl last year, rallying from a 12-point deficit to defeat Oakdale, 15-12. The Raiders have nine players back from that team.“People think Cranberry kids aren't tough, but they are,” Brugos said. “Our kids don't quit. They'll play anybody.“They would play the high school team. They don't care. They just love football.”Brugos said the match-up would have to be potentially competitive for a series to develop between the programs.“It could be an annual game, as long as it's a competitive game,” he said.Coach Siket hopes Saturday's game was not a one-time occurrence.“A lot of these kids know each other through soccer and other sports,” he said. “The cheerleaders know each other through being on dance teams together.“It was just fun to play within the community, but across the school boundaries.”
