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Greensburg Central Catholic football team defeats Riverview

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Saturday, August 31, 2019 | 6:41 PM

Earlier this year, the famous Oakmont Bakery moved to its facility across the street from Riverview.

That seems appropriate because the host Raiders featured plenty of turnovers in their season opener Saturday.

Three interceptions and a fumble ended drives, provided short fields and led to a score as Greensburg Central Catholic pulled out a 32-13 win over Riverview (0-1, 0-1) in an Class A Eastern Conference opener.

“That’s what we said,” Riverview coach Todd Massack said. “In the first half, we were able to overcome the interception and the high snap that gave them good field position. But in the second half, we just couldn’t overcome it.”

Facing a third-and-long on the team’s first possession, Riverview junior quarterback Ryan Aber tried to hit a quick slant that Greensburg Central Catholic senior defensive back Brandon Brown stepped in front of and returned 20 yards for a touchdown.

First-year coach Bret Colbert knew the Centurions would suffer on special teams with their two kickers out because of illness and a soccer recruiting trip. On their five touchdowns, GCC failed on four 2-point conversions.

In the second quarter, Zach Dlugas scored on a 1-yard plunge that increased the Greensburg Central Catholic lead to 12-0.

Late in the second, Riverview capped off a nice drive with a 4-yard scoring run by senior Zach Hanlon that made it 12-7 after the PAT.

With time running out in the half, Greensburg Central Catholic was stopped and forced to punt. Riverview did not call a timeout, and the clock wound down to less than a half-minute left. An errant Centurions punt snap gave the Raiders the ball at the GCC 15-yard line with 15 seconds left.

Aber’s pass on first down was intercepted at the goal line as the first half ended.

“We know that our defense has speed, and we’re conditioned well enough to stay with our speed,” Colbert said. “We know our defense is going to carry us quite often.”

The Raiders started to drive on their first possession of the second half, but a holding penalty wiped out a big play into GCC territory. Then an apparent mix up in the backfield led to an Aber fumble that was recovered by the Centurions.

Greensburg Central Catholic took advantage of the short field when quarterback David Altimore scored on a 10-yard run around the left end.

Another nice Raiders drive ended with a Joe Blahovec interception deep in Centurions territory.

That possession ended when Altimore hit senior Luke Mazowiecki on a short pass that, after several broken tackles, went for a 31-yard touchdown that put the Centurions in control.

“I think everyone really woke up at halftime,” Altimore said. “We really picked the energy up.

“We heard some of their players saying we were tired, so that really fueled everyone to show them that we can keep going for a whole game.”

Altimore completed 11 of 16 passes for 140 yards with two touchdown tosses and a scoring run.

Greensburg Central Catholic (1-0, 2-0) will be challenged next week as it hosts winless Clairton in an Eastern Conference contest.

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