HERSHEY -- Earlier this week, Lancaster Catholic head coach Bruce Harbach put a challenge to his football team: Be more physical than Mount Carmel. On Saturday afternoon, the Crusaders were more physical than Mount Carmel, and then some.
"Coach challenged us this week, saying they were more physical than us," said Lancaster Catholic lineman Nicholas Schmalhofer.
The Lancaster Catholic offense amassed 600 yards of total offense and scored 41 points against a Red Tornadoes defense that had allowed just 21 points in this year's playoffs through three games.
The physical play began up front with the Crusaders offensive line, then carried over to all aspects of the game Saturday.
"We wanted to prove that we could be more physical and control the trenches," said Schmalhofer, who added seven tackles and two sacks from his defensive end spot.
"We felt we could run the ball on them."
The Crusaders rushed for 297 yards, including 147 from sophomore tailback Jordan Stewart, who dashed for three touchdowns to bring his season total to 15.
"Our ability to run the ball early really helped open up the passing game, and we were able to make some plays versus man-to-man coverage," said quarterback Kyle Smith.
Smith, who threw for 303 yards, could see the improvement of the offensive line.
"Our offensive line is getting better and better every week. We are definently peaking at the right time."
The Crusaders offensive line gave Smith protection all day, allowing just one sack and three tackles for loss.
They also opened up big holes for running backs Stewart, Alan Berlucchi, and Quinn Houser.
"Our offensive line did a great job today. I couldn't be more proud of them," said Harbach.
"We take huge pride in our play," said Schmalhofer. "We know we may not be scoring the touchdowns, but we know we will be congratulated for good blocks and giving Kyle time."
Defensively, the Crusaders had to be just as physical to stop a potent Mount Carmel offense that was led on the ground by James Demetrius. The Crusaders held Mount Carmel to 148 yards rushing on 24 attempts.
"Our defense did a great job stepping up today," said Smith.
Linebacker Neil Fox led the Crusaders with 10 tackles and defensive end Andrew Heise pitched in with two sacks.
Collectively, defensive ends Schmalhofer and Heise combined for 10 tackles and all four of Lancaster Catholic's sacks.
"The defense really came out today and set the tone. They played great," said Smith.
A big key to the game for the Crusaders was containing Mount Carmel quarterback Marcus Wasilewski.
"Our plan was to take away the outside and get in the quarterback's face and make him uncomfortable.
"We needed to force him out of the pocket," said Schmalhofer.
Lancaster Catholic won despite committing 17 penalties for 158 yards.
Sports
Crusaders were more physical than Red Tornadoes
- Sports
-
-
College Lacrosse: Bucknell men prepare to improve upon great season
LEWISBURG -- It started a handful of years ago, when the Bucknell men's lacrosse team put a big 'X' on the national map in Central Pennsylvania with an upset of No. 1 Maryland. From that point on Bison coach Frank Fedorjaka has had a difficult time getting big-time opponents on the schedule, even with Bucknell opting to travel under the worst of circumstances.
-
High school football: Pratt says Kutztown the right fit
SUNBURY -- When Shikellamy's Tyler Pratt joins the Kutztown University football team as a free safety next fall, he will already have a good feeling for what his position coach will expect from him. Pratt, who signed a national letter of intent this week to accept a scholarship offer to play for the Golden Bears, will be under the tutelage of his father's high school football coach.
-
Todd Stanford On high school boys basketball: Increasing the refs' workload
If two heads are better than one, does that mean six eyes are better than four? Not necessarily, according to some Heartland Athletic Conference officials. There is a move afoot in the HAC to cut the number of basketball referees from three to two for part of the season beginning next year.
-
High School Roundup: Greenwood boys complete perfect TVL season
Greenwood capped off an unbeaten 2011-12 Tri-Valley League season by crushing Halifax 61-38 on Thursday Night.
-
Shikellamy Braves pull away from Shamokin
SUNBURY — Tyler Pratt kept Shikellamy in the game in the third quarter Wednesday, scoring all seven of the Braves’ points. He then got some help in the fourth.
-
High School Roundup: Selinsgrove tops Jersey Shore
JERSEY SHORE — With the game tied at 32 at the half, the Selinsgrove boys basketball term went on a big run in the third quarter to open up the game and take a 65-56 Heartland Athletic Conference Division I win over Jersey Shore on Wednesday.
-
Shikellamy Braves rally to stay alive
SELINSGROVE — With 11 losses, the Shikellamy girls basketball team is teetering on the brink of elimination from the District 4 Class AAA playoffs. And on Wednesday night, it looked like the Braves were going to go quietly into the offseason when Selinsgrove built a 14-point lead early in the third quarter.
-
They learn to be tough young
It's difficult to recall exactly how the sequence unfolded because it happened so darn fast. Shikellamy made a couple baskets, and the crowd began to stir. It was still anybody's game, and the Braves had some momentum late in the third quarter of a recent run with Danville.
-
Motorsports: Selinsgrove, Lincoln speedways to host 360 sprint series
MECHANICSBURG -- Mach 1 Chassis of Mechanicsburg will be the title sponsor of the Mid-Atlantic 360 Sprint Car Championship Series, a $120,000 six-race tour that will include five shows at Selinsgrove Speedway and one event at Lincoln Speedway in 2012.
-
Girls basketball: Records fall, Red Tornadoes stay unbeaten
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT -- An overflow crowd zealously cheered Tierney Pfirman's pursuit of the South Williamsport scoring record throughout Tuesday's game, until their breathless faces matched the Mounties' royal blue.
- More Sports Headlines
-
