Miele brings thunder
HAMPTON TWP — Austin Miele wasted no time letting Hampton's defense know what it was in for.
The Mars fullback's 81-yard touchdown run came on the Planets' first play from scrimmage and opened the door to a 28-6 victory over Hampton Thursday night at Fridley Field.
Miele ended the game with 214 yards rushing and three scores on just 16 carries.
It was the first Greater Allegheny Conference game for both teams.
"Any time you can win a conference game on the road it's big," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer.
Play was delayed 1 hour and 22 minutes by lightning early in the first quarter.
"It's kind of tough to get pumped up for a game and then just sit around waiting to play," said Miele, who has 458 yards rushing through three games. "Our offensive line played well tonight. (It) allowed me to get into the secondary and make some moves."
On his first carry, Miele bounced to the outside, then cut back across the field before racing down the left sideline.
Early in the second quarter, Miele fumbled into the Talbots end zone, resulting in a touchback for Hampton.
But the senior made up for it, scoring on a 7-yard run later in the period and again on a 73-yard scamper on the first play of the third quarter.
Ryan Gralish added the extra point that gave Mars a 21-0 advantage with 11:44 to go in the third quarter.
"Our offense is centered around Austin," said Heinauer. "Big-play capability is something he brings to the table."
Following Miele's third score of the night, Hampton embarked on its longest drive of the game.
Beginning at their own 24, the Talbots marched 70 yards in 14 plays. That march included a pass interference penalty on the Planets.
But on fourth and 2 from the Planets 6-yard line, Mars brought down Anthony Bianco a yard short of the first down.
The Planets' defense held Hampton to 59 rushing yards on 39 carries in the game."That was a big stop for us," said Heinauer. "Hampton could've gotten back in the game there.""That drive showed that our kids didn't quit," said Hampton coach Jacque DeMatteo. "I think we're getting better, but Mars just has the better team."Mars quarterback Eric Guzak completed just one pass, but it led to Aaron Lozzi's 68-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter.Hampton (0-3, 0-1) avoided a shutout when backup quarterback Scott Greer found Eddie Edwards with a 9-yard scoring pass with 37 seconds left in the game.<B>Notes:</B> The Planets (2-1, 1-0) intercepted Hampton starting QB Phil Powell twice in the second quarter, first by Jacob Wright and then by Josh Pinkerton on the final play of the first half. ... Mars hosts Indiana next Friday.<B>Mars 28, Hampton 6</B>Mars 7 7 14 0 — 28Hampton 0 0 0 6 — 6M H10 First Downs 1434-314 Rushes-Yards 39-5968 Passing Yards 1411-2-0 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 12-23-2382 Total Yards 2005-3 Fumbles-Lost 3-05-50 Penalties-Yards 2-10<B>First Quarter</B>M — Austin Miele 81 run (Gralish kick), 8:08<B>Second Quarter</B>M — Miele 7 run (Gralish kick), 4:23<B>Third Quarter</B>M — Miele 73 run (Gralish kick), 11:44M — Aaron Lozzi 68 pass from Eric Guzak (Gralish kick), 3:26<B>Fourth Quarter</B>H — Eddie Edwards 9 pass from Scott Greer (kick failed), :37<B>Individual StatisticsPassing:</B> Mars, Eric Guzak 1-2-68-0; Hampton, Phil Powell 8-19-77-2, Scott Greer 4-4-64-0.<B>Rushing:</B> Mars, Austin Miele 16-214, Josh Pinkerton 8-64, Eric Guzak 3-2, Ben Bair 3-25, Seth Geyer 1-5, Alex Smith 2-4, John Frasca 1-0; Hampton, Anthony Bianco 17-32, Ryan Gally 4-13, Phil Powell 9-(-6), Jacob Hart 3-11, Matt Hyre 2-3, Andrew Murphy 1-3, Scott Greer 1-(-1), Chris McAwley 1-3, Ben Foreman 1-1.<B>Receiving:</B> Mars, Aaron Lozzi 1-68; Hampton, Jacob Adams 1-4, Ryan Gally 2-21, Craig Bender 1-12, Tom Radziminiski 1-12, Noah Shulman 2-21, Matt Hyre 1-7, Ben Kraus 1-22, Evan Ek 1-4, Andrew DeMichiei 1-29, Eddie Edwards 1-9.
