Greensburg Salem routs Yough, steps toward playoff spot

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, October 18, 2024 | 11:08 PM

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Cole Savage was in the mood for a big-man touchdown. His team is in the mood to make the WPIAL playoffs.

Savage had a scoop-and-score, one of four turnovers forced by the Greensburg Salem defense, and the Golden Lions were efficient on offense as they thumped Yough, 37-8, on Friday night in a Class 3A Interstate Conference game at Cougar Mountain Stadium.

Greensburg Salem (6-3, 2-2) moved closer to its first WPIAL playoff berth since 2018 as quarterback Brody Chismar rushed for 97 yards and threw a touchdown pass, and Dom Rosensteel had an interception and a rushing touchdown.

The opportunistic Golden Lions cruised to spoil Yough’s homecoming night.

“I’ve been waiting for that to happen for four years,” Savage said of his 5-yard fumble return that helped increase the lead to 30-0 late in the third. “It was really exciting. We want to win for coach (Rich Bowen).

“We’re on the doorstep (of the playoffs) now.”

Yough dropped its seventh game in a row and fell to 2-7 overall and 0-4 in conference.

Raidon Kuroda threw for 100 yards and ran for 68 in the loss. He attempted 20 passes and rushed 18 times.

“Turnovers snowballed,” Cougars coach Ben Hoffer said. “We’ve got to be better, and that starts with me. I thought we would play better tonight. We had leads against Mt. Pleasant and Southmoreland in the fourth quarter. I just want us to get a win next week, for the seniors.”

Chismar also threw for 88 yards on 9-of-15 passing. He connected with seven receivers.

Yough turned the ball over on its second possession, and the Golden Lions pounced.

Rosensteel intercepted Kuroda down the far sideline and returned it deep into Cougars’ territory. On the next play, Chismar tossed a 17-yard strike to Max Topper for a touchdown.

Tanner Schmidt gave the Golden Lions a 10-0 lead with a 23-yard field goal to cap a 61-yard drive late in the second quarter.

The Golden Lions, operating out of a hurry-up offense, added another score later in the first half on a 1-yard run by Kai Brunot to make it 17-0.

A pass interference call and a 12-yard run by Brunot helped to set up the score. Greensburg Salem held the Cougars to 41 yards in the first half.

“There is a lot to play for,” Greensburg Salem coach Ty George said. “A winning record, playoffs, Rich’s (Bowen) passing. It all has motivated our guys.”

After another Yough turnover, Brady Smith added a 14-yard touchdown run late in the third.

Keegan Young recovered a fumble by Kuroda, then caught a 25-yard pass from Chismar to set up Smith’s score.

“Week in and week out, Brody continues to show he is dynamic,” George said. “His confidence is growing.”

Tyreese Lewis had an interception for the Golden Lions in the third.

Yough’s points in the final second of the third, just after Savage’s score. Kuroda, who was named Yough’s homecoming king, threw a 65-yard bomb over the top to Aidan Shaffer.

Jaiden Dixon-Bretzel caught the 2-point conversion to make it 30-8.

Shaffer had four receptions for 92 yards.

Rosensteel capped the scoring when he took off for a 31-yard touchdown with just more than three minutes left.

“Like coach Bowen always said, get the ball to your playmakers,” George said. “We know we have a bunch of guys who can make plays. We try to get them the ball in the flow of the game.”

Before the game, Yough honored late coach Rich Bowen, who coached the Cougars from 2001-05. Coaches and players wore special T-shirts and presented his widow, Denise, with a plaque.

She was an honorary captain for the coin toss.

There also was a moment of silence.

A widely respected coach, Rich Bowen died last week after a battle with cancer. He was in his second season as an assistant at Greensburg Salem and also coached at Serra Catholic, Elizabeth Forward, Hempfield and Waynesburg University.

Bowen led Yough to the playoffs in his final season on the mountain.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg Salem, Yough