South Fayette pounces early, defeats Greensburg Salem

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 14, 2018 | 10:48 PM

Greensburg Salem learned the hard way it isn’t easy walking into another lion’s den.

No. 2-ranked South Fayette roared out to an early lead en route to a 51-28 win over Golden Lions in a Class 4A nonconferene showdown.

“We knew they had some good skill guys,” South Fayette coach Joe Rossi said. “We jumped on them, and I think we took the foot off the gas a little bit. And that’s kudos to them. They have a good football team. They are going to win some games this year.”

Since 2012, South Fayette (3-1) holds a 32-0 home record during the regular season.

The game started in near-disaster for Greensburg Salem. On the first offensive play, the snap went over quarterback Trent Patrick’s head and into the end zone. South Fayette’s Peyton Tinney made the recovery for an early 7-0 lead. South Fayette added to the lead on its first possession as RayQuin Glover cut through the Greensburg Salem defense on a 32-yard touchdown run.

Glover added a 65-yard punt return for a 21-point lead with 5 minutes, 9 seconds to play in the first quarter.

“I said to the kids, ‘When you play a good football team like that, you can’t make mistakes,’ ” Greensburg Salem coach Dave Keefer said. “And we made mistakes early. We start the game with a missed snap for seven. We give up a return on a punt for 14. You can’t spot teams 14 points.”

Greensburg Salem didn’t go away as a pair of big plays helped the Golden Lions cut into the deficit. On its opening drive of the second quarter, Greensburg Salem moved inside the 5-yard line on a 40-yard run by Kenneth Shea. One play later, Aaren Putt pounded it in from 3 yards.

On its next possession, Greensburg Salem only needed one play as Patrick connected on 47-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Williams. The Golden Lions were boosted by four sacks by its defense in the first half.

“After we got up 21, I think we let up a little bit,” Rossi said. “And they settled in and ran some plays. They hit a nice home-run ball on us. It happens sometimes. It’s high school football.”

The Lions opened the second half with three scoring drives to put the game out of reach. Andrew Franklin opened the third quarter with a 45-yard run before powering his way through the Greensburg Salem defense on a 5-yard touchdown run. Jamie Diven hit Ryan McGuire on a 53-yard touchdown strike on the ensuing drive.

Temple-bound kicker Ryan Coe added a 33-yard field goal to round out the South Fayette third-quarter scoring.

Diven led South Fayette with 190 passing yards and three touchdowns. Franklin led the team on the ground with 122 yards.

Greensburg Salem (1-3) was led by Patrick’s 121 yards through the air and two touchdown passes. The junior added a third touchdown on the ground.

“I like our offense,” Keefer said. “I think we have kids who can do some good things. Our scheme is developed to attack the whole field. And I think we did that tonight. Our big thing is we can’t make mistakes. We are our own worst enemy.”

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.

Tags: Greensburg Salem, South Fayette