Saturday Morning Quarterback – Week 7

Cathedral Prep and McDowell picked up big wins on Friday as the season hits the home stretch. The Ramblers knocked off previously unbeaten Aquinas Institute 16-13 behind a record night from John Chereson, while the Trojans knocked off North Hills 23-22 on a late field goal.

The Ramblers earned some payback after being routed by Aquinas last fall. Chereson drilled three field goals to tie Noah Ackerman’s school reocrd for field goals in one game. His first field goal from 52 yards is a school record and his second kick from 46 yards out tied the old record. Chereson, a junior, has five career field goals and is 10 away from Ackerman’s career record of 15. Delton Williams added a touchdown and had 84 yards on 17 carries. Billy Lombardi led the Little Irish, who were ranked No. 1 in Class A – New York’s second-highest class – with 131 yards on 29 carries. Cory Benedetto tossed two touchdown passes for Aquinas.

McDowell found itself in a tough situation. The Trojans needed a win Friday to stay out of a low playoff seed. McDowell had a 30-yard field goal from Zack Baker with a little more than two minutes left become the difference. Greg Garmon carried the ball 19 times for 148 yards and scored on a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for the Trojans. McDowell finished the season perfect at home and should win their final two games. Shaler was upset by Seneca Valley 28-21 on Friday, which could help McDowell. The Trojans will likely finish 4-2 in conference play and still could end up in second place with some help. The difference between second and third place could be the difference between a home playoff game and a road game in Pittsburgh.

Wilmington and North East locked up shares of their respective region titles on Friday. The Greyhounds routed Titusville 41-7 behind three touchdowns from Anthony Derrick, while the Grapepickers took care of Northwestern 34-14 as Tyler Johnson went over 1,000 yards. Johnson finished with 141 yards on 11 carries, while Alex Svetz led the way with 37 carries for 169 yards and three touchdowns. Wilmington has a chance to take the Region 3 title outright next week against Sharon, while North East will have to wait until Oct. 28 at Seneca to grab the Region 4 title outright.

For more on Friday’s games, click below.

– Tom Reisenweber

-DeShawn Coleman is in his first year of high school football. He is really enjoying the ride so far. Coleman went over the 1,400-yard mark on Friday in a 42-14 win over Slippery Rock. Coleman carried the ball 20 times for 373 yards, the eighth-best single-game performance in District 10 history, including five touchdowns for the Hornets. Coleman scored on runs of 30, 14, 45, 89 and 78 yards. Coleman has established himself as one of the top running backs in D-10 this season.

-Mercyhurst Prep put together another game of three 100-yard rushers in a 26-0 win over Cochranton. Cornelius Barclay led the way with 143 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, while Thomas Higgins had 22 carries for 131 yards and two TDs. Dwayne Canady contributed with 127 yards on 14 carries.

Mercyhurst’s next opponent will be a tough one as Saegertown comes to Veterans Stadium on Thursday to take on the Lakers in their Homecoming game. The Panthers routed Iroquois 44-6 on Friday and can still win the Region 2 title if they win out.

-Joe Sanford picked up his first win as Union City’s head coach on Friday. The Bears routed Maplewood 32-13 behind two touchdowns from Kyle Hetrick and Josh Reinke.

-General McLane and Fort LeBoeuf picked up thrilling non-region wins on Friday. The Lancers held off a speedy Meadville team 38-28, while the Bisons knocked off Sharon 38-36. McLane received 119 yards on seven carries from Matt Astorino, while Josh Ponsoll had 19 carries for 105 yards and Chad Kulka had 95 yards on nine carries. Ponsoll scored twice, while Brian Suminski added two TDs. Fred Epps countered for the Bulldogs with 244 yards on 22 carries, including three touchdowns.

LeBoeuf received big efforts from several players, including two touchdowns from Joe Bugdon and a late game-winning field goal by Kevin Gardner from 28 yards out. Mike Hall finished with 99 yards on 13 carries, while Bugdon had 99 yards on 27 carries. Jake Holes contributed with five carries for 91 yards and a 58-yard touchdown run.

-The Mercer-Sharpsville showdown was delayed by a day when the visiting-side light blew out on Friday night. The two teams will meet today at 1 p.m. with the winner taking control of Region 1.