Greensburg Central Catholic can’t keep up with Charleroi

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 22, 2017 | 11:00 PM

Visiting Charleroi had no problem taking care of Greensburg Central Catholic on Friday, defeating the Centurions, 50-3, in nonsection play.

Hunter Perry had 127 yards rushing, a touchdown and 21 yards receiving for Charleroi (4-1).

Quarterback Geno Pellegrini went 7 of 10 for 133 yards and two touchdowns, and he added 48 yards rushing and another touchdown.

Travis Lytle finished with 69 yards rushing and two touchdowns along with 39 yards receiving.

The Cougars opened the scoring on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Pellegrini followed by a 2-point conversion pass to Dakota Romantino to make it 8-0.

The Centurions' first drive had promise. Tom Voelker ran seven times for 38 yards to set up Ethan Slyke's 32-yard field goal to make it 8-3 game with six minutes left in the first quarter.

However, the Cougars then rattled off 42 straight points.

“We started out running the ball well, but then it was probably after our second possession we couldn't move the ball again after that,” said GCC coach Aaron Smetanka, whose team dropped to 1-4. “I don't know what happened with our front there. They had some confusion picking up blitzes.”

After a Charleroi drive that saw Lytle haul in a 39-yard pass and then run for 29 yards two plays later, Romantino caught an 11-yard touchdown. The Centurions' punt on the ensuing drive was blocked by Mike Polinski, who returned it into the end zone to make it 23-3 with 2:42 left in the first.

“Defensively, we were flying around,” Charleroi coach Donnie Militzer said. “We called a timeout after that first series to kind of get everything together, and things kind of fell into place after that.”

Charleroi's defense intercepted Centurions quarterback Max Pisula three times and recorded four sacks. The Cougars offense provided more than enough help.

With just over six minutes left in the half, Perry broke off a 67-yard touchdown run to take a 37-3 lead. On the next drive, Perry danced his way out of the backfield, breaking multiple tackles on his way to a 56-yard run that set up Lytle 10-yard touchdown run.

“Coach Smetanka does a great job,” Militzer said. “I think they are going to be a really good football team. They are just young. You know we are pretty experienced. We have some skill guys. We are a tough football team to defend.”

Greensburg Central Catholic faces conference foe Leechburg next week.

“I'll be in early (Saturday) to start watching film and get ready for next week,” Smetanka said.

Alec Italiano is a freelance writer.