Hampton junior RB Evan McAneny enjoys breakout

By: John Grupp
Saturday, September 28, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Hampton coach Steve Sciullo was content to settle for overtime after Chartiers Valley scored a game-tying touchdown with under 40 seconds to play Sept. 20.

Hampton running back Evan McAneny had other plans.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound junior broke loose for an 83-yard touchdown run on the next play, giving the Talbots a thrilling back-and-forth 34-27 victory to snap a three-game losing streak.

“It was crazy,” Sciullo said. “We were going to play for overtime. I wasn’t comfortable putting the ball in the air at that point. I wanted to make sure the kids came out with a chance to win the game, and they did. It was incredible.”

McAneny took the handoff on an inside zone run, broke into open space and outraced the Chartiers Valley defenders for one of the Talbots’ most dramatic touchdowns in recent years.

“I think everyone in that stadium thought we were going to pass the ball and try to go deep,” McAneny said. “All of their guys were blitzing off the outside and trying to get pressure on the quarterback, and that left a lane wide open. The line did a great job. … When I evaded that first linebacker and I started pressing vertical, I didn’t think anyone could catch me.”

McAneny, a first-year starter on offense, finished with 228 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries as the Talbots gained much-needed momentum heading into Greater Allegheny play. He also scored on runs of 5, 8 and 15 yards for the Talbots, who opened conference play against visiting McKeesport on Sept. 27.

The game-winning touchdown run served as redemption for McAneny, who had lost a fumble deep in CV territory in the Talbots’ previous possession, leading to the Colts’ game-tying TD.

“I didn’t want to let myself give away that game,” McAneny said.

“I wanted to stay in there and battle.”

Hampton (2-3 as of Sept. 26) led 27-12 in the second half before Chartiers Valley rallied. But the Talbots, who had suffered several key injuries in the previous two weeks, prevailed. Following McAneny’s long TD run, Porter Kelly forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff to seal the win.

“We were all talking that we just can’t let them come back,” said McAneny, who, himself, was playing with a sprained wrist. “We can’t let them do this to us.”

After playing last season behind career 3,300-yard rusher Brock Borgo, McAneny has taken over the role as the Talbots’ lead back. He also plays defensive back.

“He’s got fantastic strength and speed,” Sciullo said. “When he gets into those open-field scenarios, there’s a good chance he’s not getting caught. We need to continue to work on him accelerating his feet through contact.”

McAneny rushed for a combined 163 yards and three touchdowns in losses to WPIAL Class 5A schools Armstrong and Shaler, but he injured his wrist making a tackle in the first quarter of a 62-7 loss to WPIAL Class 5A No. 3 Upper St. Clair and missed the rest of the game. He returned the following week against Chartiers Valley and, despite his injury, had more carries in one game than he had all of last season (24).

“The kid is one of the strongest players on the team and one of our fastest guys,” Sciullo said. “He’s a natural running back. We’re just trying to fine-tune his game. He’s been working on it. … The proof is in the pudding.”

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