P-R handles Seneca Valley
JACKSON TWP — The forecasted lightning never showed up in the sky above NexTier Stadium, but Pine-Richland managed its own brand on the field.
Rams quarterback Ben DiNucci completed all 15 of his passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns as Pine-Richland crushed host Seneca Valley 64-35 Friday night.
DiNucci played just the first half, after which the Rams had 520 yards of offense and a 57-7 lead.
“This is a tough night to take when you're a competitor,” said Raiders' coach Don Holl. “You tip your cap to your opponent, but we also have to look at ourselves and ask, 'How did that happen.'”
Seneca Valley's defense forced a turnover on Pine-Richland's first drive — Sam Henson recovered Brendan Burnham's fumble on the Raiders' 33.
But SV soon had to punt and the fireworks began for the Rams, who drove 92 yards in nine plays, culminating in DiNucci's 17-yard touchdown pass to D'ondre Gastion.
It was the first of four touchdowns in the first quarter for Pine-Richland (5-0, 6-0).
The third score came on defense when linebacker Nick Bird intercepted a screen pass from T.J. Holl and returned it nine yards for a touchdown.
Late in the period, DiNucci connected with Burnham on a 94-yard pass play down the left sideline for another score.
“Seneca Valley is one of the best 1-4 teams there is because of their skill players,” said Rams' coach Eric Kasperowicz. “I challenged the players this week. We came out and kept our foot on the gas and crushed them. To be up 57-7 at the half, I'm proud of the kids.”
The Raiders got on the scoreboard with Holl's 22-yard scoring pass to Eric Mrkonja early in the second, but the Rams responded with four more touchdowns before halftime, including two more touchdown passes from DiNucci.
“You can't say enough about Ben and how he's progressed since he was a sophomore,” Kasperowicz said. “The offense gets the press, but our defense has been lights out. We're playing as a team right now and that's the big thing.”
“I'm not a big believer in momentum,” said Don Holl, “but when you get down by a certain margin and kids are scrambling and trying to cover for each other's mistakes, it makes it really difficult.”
Seneca Valley scored three touchdowns in the third quarter — Mason Dehart ran for one and caught one and Mrkonja teamed with Holl on another scoring play.
Corey Laskey added a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders (1-4, 1-5) host their second undefeated opponent in a row next Friday when they take on Central Catholic.
