Greensburg Central Catholic gets back on winning track with win over Leechburg

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 14, 2018 | 10:27 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

After last week’s 40-0 loss to Clairton, it was important for Greensburg Central Catholic to get off to a fast start Friday night at home against Leechburg.

That’s exactly what happened as the Centurions (3-1, 2-1) scored on their first two possessions en route to a 29-0 win over Leechburg at Centurion Field.

On their opening drive, the Centurions went six plays and capped things when senior quarterback Max Pisula connected with junior wide receiver Ben LaCarte on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

The touchdown drive was ignited by a 30-yard run by senior Brando Ciccarelli on the first play from scrimmage.

On Leechburg’s opening drive, the Centurions were called for a personal foul penalty that brought the ball into Centurions territory. However, GCC stopped the Blue Devils (1-3, 0-2) when senior Jacob Reihart picked off Leechburg sophomore Dylon Cook.

The Centurions took advantage and marched down on a seven-play drive to take a 15-0 lead on a Pisula 11-yard run off a shotgun snap.

“It was good to get the confidence up there with the offense. It seemed like we were clicking on all cylinders,” Greensburg Central Catholic coach Aaron Smetanka said.

The second drive for the Centurions was aided by a 22-yard run by junior running back Tom Voelker. The Centurions, who rushed for 157 yards, reached the end zone three plays later.

In the second quarter, the Blue Devils picked off Pisula twice, but the Centurions defense held their ground as they only allowed 7 yards in the first half. Leechburg finished with just 80 total yards, 54 rushing.

Late in the second quarter, Pisula was picked off by Leechburg senior Nico Venanzio. The Blue Devils started the drive on the Centurions’ 28-yard line with about 2 minutes left, but the drive was halted by a Centurions interception.

After a punt by the Centurions, the Blue Devils had another opportunity with a minute remaining, but the Centurions again stood firm.

The Blue Devils defense caused four turnovers: three interceptions and one fumble.

“We created some opportunities for ourselves on defense,” Leechburg coach Mark George said. “We can’t shoot ourselves in the foot. When we create opportunities for ourselves, we have to learn how to take advantage of them and we didn’t at all tonight.”

After a shaky start for the Centurions in the second half, Pisula connected with junior wide receiver Brandon Brown on the second drive for a touchdown to build a 22-0 lead. Pisula found Brown running down the left side on a 37-yard touchdown pass.

Pisula, who was 9 for 21 for 166 yards and added 65 yards rushing, factored in all four touchdowns for the Centurions — two in the air and two rushing.

The Centurions are back in the win column after starting the season by beating Tuscarawas Central Catholic (Ohio) and Riverview. The Centurions head into a big matchup next week at home against Imani Christian.

“We left a lot of points on the board, and we had a ton of penalties. We were just shooting ourselves in the foot,” Smetanka said. “I know they (Imani) will be ready to go. We definitely know from last year when they gave us a pretty good pounding.”

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Leechburg