|
|
Philipsburg-Osceola defeated by Line Mountain, 56-0
Saturday, September 01, 2012
By Dennis Arnold Sports Correspondent
PHILIPBURG - Friday night marked the start of a new football season, and the Mounties of Philipsburg-Osceola started the year with many questions after losing a large number of starters from last year's squad and hosting a new opponent in the Line Mountain Eagles.
The Eagles traveled over two hours for the game, but the long trip did not seem to faze them as they downed the Mounties 56-0.
"They are a good team and took it to us," P-O head coach Jeff Vroman said. "But we were right there with them midway through the first quarter, but they decide to take over and we let them."
The Mounties did start the game on a good note, forcing a fumble on Line Mountain's opening possession but gave the ball right back with a turnover of their own.
With the Eagles driving into P-O's territory again, Ben Johnson forced another fumble and jumped on the loose ball, giving the Mounties great field position for the second time. But once again Line Mountain dodged a bullet forcing another turnover.
Cole Rickert picked off his second pass of the game, this time returning it 55 yards for a touchdown for the Eagles but they only led 6-0 as Mason Pryde blocked the extra-point attempt.
The score sparked Line Mountain as it forced another Philipsburg-Osceola turnover on the ensuing kickoff.
Four plays later the Eagles were on the scoreboard again as Dillan Michael ran it in from 9 yards out. With Rickert's pass to Erik Smeltz for the 2-point conversion the lead was 14-0 with 2:58 to play in the opening period.
"The interception for a touchdown and the fumble on the next kickoff really turned the tide in the game," Vroman said. "You can't give many teams, let alone a good team, chances like that."
Things did not get much better in the second quarter for the Mounties as they had three three-and-outs and lost two more fumbles in the period while the Eagles scored on five straight possessions.
Rickert and Michael had touchdown runs of 47 and 17 yards, respectively, while Austin Snyder, Cory Warford and Codi Morris also had runs for scores in the quarter. Snyder's five extra-point kicks, gave Line Mountain a 49-0 lead at the half.
"We gave them short fields to work from with all the three-and-outs and turnovers," Coach Vroman said. "We have to respond better than that."
With the clock running in the second half, P-O put together its best drive of the night on their opening possession.
Nick Gray had four carries for 24 yards on the drive, and Caleb Pepperday connected with Erik Smith on a 12-yard pass as the Mounties drove down to the Eagles 30-yard line. But the drive stalled and they turned it over on downs.
Line Mountain responded with a six-play 63-yard scoring drive with Rickert finding Michael on a 13-yard touchdown pass. Rickert ran for 40 yards and threw for 23 more yards on the drive. Snyder's kick pushed the lead to 56-0 with 42 seconds to play in the third period.
In the fourth after Philipsburg-Osceola recovered a fumble at its own 2-yard line, the Mounties put together another decent drive out near midfield.
Gray ran the ball three times for 11 yards, Todd Wilson had three carries for 36 yards and Kyle Hawkins toted the ball twice for 9 yards. Pepperday completed a 6-yard pass to Travis Arnold, but once again the drive stalled and P-O turned it over on downs.
"Some of the young kids did a nice job while they were out there," Vroman said.
The Eagles knelt on the next play and ran out the clock, ending the game.
"You have to be resilient in any athletic event, and you have to take pride in what you do," Coach Vroman said. "We preach it every day. We will have to work hard and bounce back."
The Mounties host rival Bald Eagle Area (1-0) on Friday. Line Mountain 56
Philipsburg-Osceola 0 Score By Quarters
Line Mountain 14 35 7 0-56
P-O 0 0 0 0- 0 First Quarter
LM-Rickert 55 Int. return, (kick blocked), 4:47.
LM-D. Michael 9 run, (Smeltz pass from Rickert), 2:58.
Second Quarter
LM-Snyder 1 run, (Snyder kick), 11:36.
LM-Rickert 47 run, (Snyder kick), 9:38.
LM-D. Michael 17 run, (Snyder kick), 8:53.
LM-Warford 27 run, (Snyder kick), 5:25.
LM-Morris 2 run, (Snyder kick), :57.
Third Quarter
LM-D. Michael 13 pass from Rickert, (Snyder kick), :42. TEAM STATISTICS
LM PO
Total First Downs 18 6
Rushes-Yards 39-306 32-97
Comp-Att-Int 8-11-0 2-13-2
Passing Yards 110 18
Total Plays-Yards 50-416 45-115
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 4-4
Punts-Avg 0-0 4-32
Penalties-Yards 9-80 7-65 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Line Mountain-Rickert 6-106, Warford 6-75, D. Michael 10-71, Snyder 4-29, Hojnacki 4-10, Foulds 3-9, Smeltz 1-6, Morris 2-2, Reed 1-0, J. Michael 1-0, Rebuck 1-(-2).
Philipsburg-Osceola-T. Wilson 3-36, Gray 8-32, D. Shuey 4-13, Pryde 3-10, Hawkins 2-9, Groff 3-6, Smith 5-3, Team 2-(-3), Pepperday 2-(-9).
Passing
Line Mountain-Rickert 7-of-10, 65 yds., TD; Reed 1-of-1, 45 yds.
Philipsburg-Osceola-Pepperday 2-of-12, 18 yds., 2 Int; Kost 0-of-1.
Receiving
Line Mountain-Smeltz 4-45, Bobb 1-45, D. Michael 2-18, Morris 1-2.
Philipsburg-Osceola-Smith 1-12, Arnold 1-6.
|  |
|
|
|
