Greensburg Salem uses big second half to hold off Laurel Highlands

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 8, 2017 | 10:48 PM

Greensburg Salem broke open a close game with three second-half touchdowns to defeat Class 4A Big Nine Conference foe Laurel Highlands, 32-15, Friday night at Mustang Field.

The Golden Lions improved to 2-1, 2-0, and the Mustangs fell to 2-1, 0-1.

In what had the makings of an explosive offensive display, visiting Greensburg Salem and Laurel Highlands battled like a pair of middleweights in a first half that ended with the Golden Lions on top 12-6. Instead of an offensive onslaught, the teams combined for 128 yards on the ground and 119 through the air.

Greensburg Salem opened the scoring at 7 minutes, 10 seconds of the first quarter when Aaron Putt scored on a 20-yard run. Putt's second score came on a 5-yard run in the second quarter, and he finished the scoring with a 22-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Putt topped all rushers with 171 yards on 23 carries.

“Aaron has the talent,” GS coach Dave Keefer said. “We put the load on his back tonight, and he responded. What else is a plus is that he is a sophomore, and he will be back for two more years.”

Laurel Highlands took the lead at 1:43 of the first quarter when Chad Petrush scored on an 8-yard run. Alec McLay's point after gave the Mustangs a short-lived 7-6 lead. Petrush finished with 64 yards rushing to lead the Mustangs.

Starting the final possession of the first quarter, the Golden Lions drove to the Mustangs' 3-yard line as time expired. On the first play of the second quarter, Putt scored on a 5-yard run.

In the opening half, Greensburg Salem quarterback Jacob Hoyle completed 7 of 8 passes for 70 yards. He finished with 10 completions in 13 attempts for 138 yards and one touchdown, a 41-yarder to Kevin Braswell in the third quarter.

“Jacob is a special player,” Keefer said. “He made the plays, especially in the second half, scrambling on the ground and finding his receivers. And we made several tweaks in our offensive scheme that opened some holes for us in the second half.”

Hoyle scored on a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter to give the Golden Lions a 25-7 lead.

Greensburg Salem's Joseph Williams batted down a potential Mustangs touchdown pass late in the first quarter.

“We could not generate any consistent offense tonight,” Laurel Highlands coach Zach Just said. “Greensburg Salem's defense did some different things, and we had trouble adjusting. We were never in any good rhythm, and Greensburg moved the ball on us. We were worried about Hoyle, and Putt killed us all night.”

Just then added with a slight smile, “Aaron is a family friend, and it was good to see him have a solid game. I just wish it was not against us.”

For Laurel Highlands, Ian Edenfield completed 6 of 17 passes for 106 yards, including a pair of touchdown passes to Jacob Dukman for 41 and 36 yards.

Les Harvath is a freelance writer.

Tags: Greensburg Salem, Laurel Highlands