Apollo-Ridge overcomes sloppy play to shut out Summit Academy

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 1, 2018 | 10:57 PM

Although Apollo-Ridge coach John Skiba feels there’s more work to do, the Vikings made big plays at crucial times Saturday afternoon.

Logan Harmon recovered two fumbles — one for a touchdown and another at the Apollo-Ridge 1 — and Jake Fello ran and threw for a touchdown as the Vikings (1-1, 1-0) won their Allegheny Conference opener 21-0 at Summit Academy.

Klay Fitzroy intercepted a pass, and Robby Harkleroad recovered a fumble as Apollo-Ridge took advantage of four Summit turnovers.

“We’re still sloppy as heck. I don’t know when they’re going to get it cleaned up,” Skiba said. “We changed things around coming into this one. I think we had a little bit better of an idea — I think we did schematically — but we still have to clean too much up. We’re sloppy all over the place.”

The Vikings lost the ball on a fumble at the Knights 3 early in the second half, and Jiyyir Cooper picked off a Fello pass to end the other Apollo-Ridge third-quarter possession.

Halfway through the first quarter, Harmon got a convenient bounce of a loose ball into his hands at the Summit 10 and went into the end zone untouched.

Later in the quarter, the Vikings took advantage of a snap over the Knights punter’s head and drove 37 yards in eight plays, with Fello finding Bradley Milko on a cross pattern from 8 yards. That gave Apollo-Ridge a 14-0 lead with 1 minute, 21 seconds left in the opening period.

Summit Academy fell to 0-2, 0-1.

With Summit quarterback Jelani Steward breaking his leg last week against Western Beaver, all-purpose back Tyrone Blakeney was pressed into action and responded with 95 rushing yards and 85 passing yards.

Sophomore linebacker Tristan Dykeman recovered an Apollo-Ridge fumble at the 3 and sacked Fello twice.

“I thought our defense did fine,“ Summit Academy coach Steve Scherer said. “We’re still not there yet. I say our kids have to learn to lose before they learn how to win. I don’t think Blakeley did a bad job for his first time. We have to work on some offensive things. We’re not ready yet.”

Summit looked ready to score its first touchdown of the season late in the game. Donte Gibson’s 21-yard run gave the Knights the ball on the Vikings 4.

But on the 12th play of the drive, Harmon recovered a fumble near the goal line with 3:32 to go, and the Vikings ran out the clock.

“We played well. Defensively, we shut them out,” Skiba said. “Our kids were working on ripping the ball out today, and that did help out. We had good field position. We need to take advantage of that.”

Summit committed 17 penalties for 127 yards, many on procedural caIls.

“There were a few times we weren’t set long enough on the punts,” Scherer. “We have some guys in here who have never played before.”

Fitzroy had a 58-yard pass reception for the Vikings and Keighton Reese a 40-yarder.

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Summit Academy