Football Lancers win by hoops-type final

By MIKE COPPER

Mike.copper@timesnews.com

EDINBORO — Saturday night’s District 10 Class AA football game between General McLane and Greenville was held at Edinboro University’s Sox Harrison Stadium.

Its final score, though, was suited for the basketball court across the street at McComb Fieldhouse.

The Lancers outlasted the Trojans 54-32 in a quarterfinal that saw the at-large teams combine for 12 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards in total offense. Quarterback Josh Ponsoll contributed to McLane’s final count of 650 with 134 rushing yards and another 82 via pass completions.

Ponsoll’s response to the game’s lack of defense wasn’t exactly a revelation.

“Our offense, and especially our offensive line, played real well,” the senior said. “But our defense needs to step it up, especially (we) in the secondary. I know I do. That’s what hurt us tonight.”

Coach Jim Wells also warned the Lancers in their postgame huddle that Saturday’s gaudy numbers aren’t likely to be repeated against Wilmington, their next opponent. McLane (9-2) will face the Greyhounds, the Region 3 champions, in a district semifinal at a site and time to be announced.

Greenville bowed out at 4-6 despite the superior passing of Tyler Gentile, who completed 13-of-22 attempts for 215 yards. Gentile threw three touchdowns to wide receiver Nico Zahniser, who caught seven balls for 151 yards.

But Greenville’s inability to consistently contain McLane’s backs is what led to its season’s demise.

Ponsoll was one of three Lancers who surpassed triple digits on the ground. Matt Astorino topped the winners with 149 yards and a touchdown, while Brian Suminski was good for 120 on 19 carries.

McLane never trailed after Suminski’s 3-yard touchdown and two-point conversion runs made it 14-7 late in the first quarter. The senior scored three times, all in the first half.

Chad Kulka nearly left McLane with four 100-yard rushers. The senior rumbled for 82 yards and two scores.

MIKE COPPER can be reached at 870-1614 or by e-mail.

G           GM

First downs            18           25

Rushes-yards        25-172   63-568

Com-Att-Int         13-22-0  4-5-0

Passing yards        215         82

Total offense        387         650

Penalties-yards     7-51        9-75

Fumbles-lost         3-2          2-0

Greenville              7              6              7              12           -  32

General McLane  14           19           14           7                -  54

First quarter

GM – Brian Suminski 1 run (kick failed)

Gv – Nico Zahnisher 5 pass from Tyler Gentile (Braden Gladysz kick)

GM – Suminski 3 run (Suminski run)

Second quarter

GM – Chad Kulka 1 run (kick failed)

GM – Suminski 1 run (run failed)

GM – Matt Astorino 5 run (Jacob Hewitt kick)

Gv – Zahnisher 26 pass from Gentile (pass failed)

Third quarter

Gv – Corey Douglas 2 run (Gladysz kick)

GM – Aidan Graham 27 run (Hewitt kick)

GM – Quinn Thompson 36 pass from Josh Ponsoll (Hewitt kick)

Fourth quarter

GM – Kulka 19 run (Hewitt kick)

Gv – Zahnisher 41 pass from Gentile (pass failed)

Gv – Gentile 1 run (kick failed)

Individuals

Rushing

Greenville: Tyler Fattman 11-71, Douglas 6-57, Gentile 6-15, Trey Vanaken 1-15, Zahniser 1-14.

General McLane: Astorino 10-149, Ponsoll 13-134, Suminski 19-120, Kulka 12-82, Graham 3-63, Thompson 2-11, Tyler Hendricks 3-8, Marcus Erdman 1-1.

Passing

Greenville: Gentile 13-22-0-215.

Greneral McLane: Ponsoll 4-5-0-82.

Receiving

Greenville: Zahniser 7-151, Fattman 4-22, Luke Houpt 1-35, Randy Perkins 1-7.

General McLane: Astorino 2-41, Thompson 1-36, Suminski 1-5.