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Curwensville bounces back with 55-6 win over Ridgway
Saturday, October 13, 2012
By Jaclyn Yingling Sports Editor
CURWENSVILLE - After suffering a stinging loss last week to Brockway, the Curwensville football team bounced back in a big way, upending visiting Ridgway, 55-6, on Senior Night on Friday.
The Tide's Josh Greslick and Zach Tibbens both went over 100 yards, and the Curwensville offense fell just short of a 500-yard game, finishing the night with 496.
"Our offense line did a fantastic job," said Tide head coach Andy Evanko. "Our fullback Brad Coudriet is our lead blocker, and he was absolutely devastating out there.
"They played well. We responded well. They executed well. We did have a lot of penalties that we have to quit doing, because that is killing us."
Curwensville opened up with a 6-play 51-yard scoring drive after forcing an Elker punt.
After getting down to the Ridgway 5, Greslick punched in the touchdown. An offsides penalty by the Elkers on the extra-point attempt allowed the Tide to go for two, and they handed it off to Greslick again for the conversion.
Curwensville held Ridgway on its next possession, but a roughing the punter penalty gave the Elkers back the ball in Tide territory.
But Ridgway fumbled the ball on its very next play, as Aaron McKnight scampered 23 yards before the ball popped out. It was recovered by Greslick, giving the Tide the ball at their own 12.
It took just four more plays to find the end zone again. Tibbens ripped off a run of 65 yards, then took the next carry four yards for the score.
Spencer Smeal added the PAT to put the score at 15-0 with 3:59 left to play in the first quarter.
The Elkers had one more shot at the end zone before the end of the first, as Ben MacDonald hooked up with McKnight on a 33-yard touchdown. But the score was called back for an ineligible receiver down field.
"They are a big football team," said Ridgway head coach Mark Heindl. "It's something we have to work on in the offseason. Our guys could've folded their tents numerous times.
"We came out in the first quarter there and we were in the red zone twice, and we just shot ourselves in the foot. But again those are the breaks of the game. We'll come back and get ready for Kane next week."
The Tide scored again to start the second quarter, as Greslick scored from seven yards out.
The Elkers got back to their passing game on their next possession, as MacDonald completed two passes to get Ridgway to the Curwensville 32.
"Our passing game was right there," Heindl said. "We say it week in and week out, if we give Ben time, he can throw the ball anywhere. He did that again tonight. There were times we were there, and we had that one called back that was in the end zone.
"Those are the breaks of the game."
MacDonald attempted to throw another pass downfield, but it was picked off by Kyle Johns.
Curwensville took over at its own 24. The Tide pushed down the field, quickly moving into Elker territory.
The drive wasn't flawless, as Curwensville got flagged for a late hit. But the team responded with a 29-yard pass play from Hunter McCracken to Jordan Russell to put them at the 1.
Coudriet took in score one play later, giving the Tide a 30-0 lead after a McCracken conversion run.
"There is something about this team," Evanko said. "Whether they get down or get behind or they do something to shoot themselves in the foot, they turn around and make the next play. I really enjoy these kids. They are just so resilient."
Curwensville added one more score before the half, as McCracken found a streaking Austin Jacobson down the sidelines for a 28-yard strike.
"We just wanted to get back to who we are, and we are a physical football team," said Evanko. "We were a physical team tonight. The last couple of days of practice has gone very well. I really like this group of kids.
"We've had great senior leadership. Nothing upsets them and nothing gets them down. They just keep working."
With a running clock due to the mercy rule to start the second half, Curwensville wasted little time finding the end zone.
Ridgway's Sam Delhunty kicked off to Russell, who ran it back 76 yards for the score. The Tide missed the extra point, extending their lead to 42-0 with 11:45 left in the third quarter.
Curwensville then forced the Elkers to a three-and-out on their next possession.
Tibbens got the handoff from McCracken and took off down the field for a 61-yard score. Tibbens finished the night with 110 yards on eight carries.
Greslick led all rushers with 118 yards on 10 carries.
"They are tough kids," said Evanko of Tibbens and Greslick. "They are absolutely outstanding athletes. It's a credit to them and to their work ethic and everything they put into this. They are tough kids. They run hard. I know we had a couple of decent blocks for them, but they break some tackles and do some nice things."
After both Greslick and Tibbens went over 100 yards, they spent the rest of the game on the sidelines.
The Tide picked up their final touchdown of the night with 1:02 left in the third, as Kyle Billings broke several tackles to take in a 19-yard touchdown. The conversion run failed, giving Curwensville a 55-0 advantage.
Ridgway finally got on the board in the fourth quarter, as McKnight scored on a 14-yard run.
A 13-yard pass from MacDonald to McKnight helped put the Elkers in Curwensville territory on the drive.
"That quarterback (MacDonald) has one of the strongest arms we've seen," said Evanko. "He threw a dart down there on his first completion there. It went 40, 50 yards down field. He can throw and he is accurate. That was a big concern for us coming in."
Curwensville turned the ball over on downs, but Ridgway was unable to capitalize and punted the ball away.
The Tide picked up a first down, then knelt on the ball to set the final at 55-6.
"It was a hold or a false start here or there, but it was things we did to ourselves," Heindl said. "Credit to Curwensville, they capitalized on both of our mistakes and came down and put it in the end zone.
"They are a good football team, and they will make a strong run in the playoffs."
The Elkers were led by 38 yards rushing and 30 yards receiving from McKnight.
MacDonald finished the game 5-of-17 with 65 yards. He was picked off twice by Johns.
"It was a big night for him," said Evanko of Johns. "He's back to doing his job, keeping people in front of him. And, good things happen when you do what you are supposed to do."
Ridgway fell to 1-6 overall. The Elkers host Kane on Friday.
Curwensville improved to 6-1 overall. The Tide host Elk County Catholic Friday.
"It's a big game," said Evanko. "We have to have a great week of practice and we need to come out as physical as we can possibly be. We have to clean up our mistakes and not have the penalties we are having.
"Hopefully, if we do the right thing, good things will happen." Curwensville 55
Ridgway 6 Score By Quarters
Ridgway 0 0 0 6- 6
Curwensville 15 21 19 0-55 First Quarter
C-Greslick 5 run, (Greslick run), 7:39.
C-Tibbens 4 run, (Smeal kick), 3:59.
Second Quarter
C-Greslick 7 run, (Smeal kick), 10:03.
C-Coudriet 1 run, (McCracken run), 5:29.
C-Jacobson 28 pass from McCracken, (kick failed), 1:19.
Third Quarter
C-Russell 76 kickoff return, (kick failed), 11:45.
C-Tibbens 61 run, (Smeal kick), 8:49.
C-Billings 19 run, (run failed), 1:02.
Fourth Quarter
R-McKnight 14 run, (kick blocked), 7:18. TEAM STATISTICS
R C
Total First Downs 10 22
Rushes-Yards 27-87 37-353
Comp-Att-Int 5-17-2 8-9-0
Passing Yards 65 143
Total Plays-Yards 44-152 46-496
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-0
Punts-Avg 5-28 0-0
Penalties-Yards 2-10 6-60 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Ridgway-McKnight 10-38, Delhunty 5-30, MacDonald 6-17, Lineberger 2-5, Wickett 3-0, Stark 1-(-3).
Curwensville-Greslick 10-118, Tibbens 8-110, Olson 3-55, Billings 6-36, Lancaster 5-14, Coudriet 3-12, Russell 1-9, Team 1-(-1).
Passing
Ridgway-MacDonald 5-of-17, 65 yds., 2 Int.
Curwensville-McCracken 8-of-9, 143 yds., 1 TD.
Receiving
Ridgway-McKnight 2-30, Himes 1-24, Wickett 1-13, Delhunty 1-(-2).
Curwensville-Russell 5-91, Jacobson 1-28, Coudriet 1-13, Olson 1-11.
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