Sharon shuts out Slippery Rock football as banged-up Rockets lose RB, QB to injuries
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Sharon football jumped out to a 27-point lead before half, and the Rockets could not rebound, falling 35-0 at their own Troy-Alan Stadium on Friday night.
Injuries are piling up for the Rockets (3-4), who nearly connected on a few big plays in the brisk weather.
“The fortitude and the toughness they have, fighting back,” head coach Steve Monteleone said, “they came out after halftime and I give them credit, they battled.”
Both standout running back Aden Shay and quarterback Jon Petras were removed from the game with injury. Shay was driven hard into the ground with force placed on his head. He was taken to AHN Grove City hospital. Petras was removed with a concussion.
A promising Rockets first drive ended up being indicative of the rest of the game. After reaching the Tigers’ 1-yard line on their opening drive, Slippery Rock could not score.
“We have to learn how to finish,” Monteleone. “We had a false start and more mistakes mounted up. We have to learn.”
Monteleone said the halftime conversation maintained a calm tone. He told his players the second half, and the trials that came with it, are in the past and it was time to focus on the next half.
“The second half I thought we played well,” Monteleone said. “We moved the ball down the field.”
After the break, the Rockets only allowed eight points and saw some offensive sparks, including a 15-play drive that got them to the Tigers’ 4-yard line. Already down by four scores, though, the Rockets needed a touchdown and failed the convert on fourth down.
“We got to learn how to put it in the end zone,” Monteleone said.
Shortly after, Dom Mineo intercepted a pass around midfield, giving the Rockets a chance for a score, but they could not take advantage.
“This team has to learn how to finish. We’ll get there. It’s just a matter of time,” Monteleone said.
One bright spot for Slippery Rock was Alex Cornelius, who took over as the bell cow after Shay’s injury. He amassed 43 yards, largely due to his 10 carries on the Rockets’ longest drive.
“You have to play a full game and that’s something we have yet to do,” Monteleone said. “We’re working and we’re learning, it will get better.”
Sharon 7 20 0 8 — 35
Slippery Rock 0 0 0 0 — 0
1st Quarter
S — Gha’Fir Lampkins 59 run (JJ Litman kick), 6:35
2nd Quarter
S — Marius Best 55 run (Litman kick), 7:34
S — Lampkins 21 run (Litman kick), 3:22
S — Cyleim Smith 19 pass from Lampkins, (Litman PAT blocked) 0:16
4th Quarter
S — Logan Perks 12 fumble recovery on 2 yard Best run, (Nick Fromm run) 9:48
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Slippery Rock, Jon Petras 6-13, Aden Shay 11-40, Derek Coyle 5-8, Peyton Reich 5-7, Alex Cornelius 13-43, Kristian Atwell 4-7. Sharon, Gha-Fir Lampkins 3-79, Marius Best 19-196, Cassius Hosey 3-39, Michael White 2-11, Travis Coonce 1-4.
Passing: Slippery Rock, Petras 3-5-39-0, Coyle 2-6-(-1)-1, Dominic Erdos 1-2-5-1. Sharon, Lampkins 5-9-63-1, Nick Fromm 2-3-33-0.
Receiving: Slippery Rock, Dom Mineo 1-23, Shay 1-9, Reich 2-2, Carter Rudish 1-5. Sharon, Hosey 2-39, Cyleim Smith 3-24, Coonce 1-0, Max Starkey 1-33.
