Kiski Area uses big 3rd quarter to pull away from Latrobe

By: Bob Orkwis
Friday, October 4, 2024 | 10:26 PM

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Kiski Area traveled to Memorial Stadium in Latrobe on Friday lugging a five-game losing streak and looking for its first Big East Conference victory. The homestanding Wildcats were looking to rebound after losing at home last week to Woodland Hills in conference play.

Up by two points at halftime, the Cavaliers (2-5, 1-4) scored on all three of their drives in the third quarter en route to a 36-13 victory over the Wildcats (4-3, 1-3).

“After game, I told the guys, you’re one or two plays away from possibly being undefeated,” Kiski Area coach Sam Albert said. “These kids are right there every game, and they don’t quit.”

Just over a minute in, the Cavaliers got the game’s first points courtesy of their defense. Carter Brown tackled Latrobe quarterback John Wetzel in the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 lead.

Kiski Area then scored after the free kick, driving 59 yards, and Landon Kucic scored his ninth touchdown of the year on a 3-yard run.

The extra point was missed, but the Cavaliers had an 8-0 lead.

Latrobe got on track offensively on its next drive, and it was Wetzel with the big play. The Marshall recruit took off around the left end, and after making a tackler miss, he raced 63 yards to the end zone. The Wildcats tried for a 2-point conversion, but the pass failed and the score remained 8-6.

Kiski Area answered on its next drive with its own splash play. Quarterback Carson Heinle found Aven Shirley behind the secondary, and, after making the catch and keeping his balance, the junior raced to the end zone for a 70-yard score. Austin Beck’s extra point put Kiski Area in the lead 15-6.

Wetzel answered with another big play, this time through the air. He hit Andy Tatsch on a post pattern, and, after breaking a tackle, Tatsch ended up with a 63-yard touchdown reception. That brought the Wildcats within 15-13 at halftime.

Albert again pointed to a letdown on the two Latrobe touchdowns.

“On their two scores, we make mental mistakes,” he said. “On the second one (the touchdown pass), we’re in prevent defense and they let the receiver get behind them.”

Kiski Area took the second-half kickoff and drove 68 yards in just more than 6 minutes, with Kucic scoring his second 3-yard touchdown of the game.

On the next possession. Wetzel fumbled while scrambling, and Brown recovered at the Wildcats 26-yard line. Again, it was the Heinle-to-Shirley combination that found paydirt for Kiski Area, this time from 25 yards, and the Cavaliers led 29-13.

Heinle, who set the Kiski Area career passing yardage mark last week, completed 7 of 9 passes for 137 yards and the two scores to Shirley. Shirley had three receptions for 95 yards. Heinle rushed for 104 yards, and Albert heaped praise on his senior signal caller.

“To me, what sets him apart is his toughness,” Albert said. “He runs the ball when there are no holes. He just runs and goes when nobody’s open. And he throws the ball extremely well, as you saw tonight.”

The Cavaliers looked to Kucic to close out the quarter with another score on the next drive. The senior added his third 3-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter making the score 36-13.

Kucic rushed for over 100 yards for the first time since the season opener, finishing with 36 carries for 131 yards.

“Listen,” Albert said referring to Kucic, “he’s tough as a nails. He might run to the wrong hole, but he runs hard, and he did a great job on both sides of the ball tonight.”

With the loss, Latrobe has dropped three of its last four games. The Wildcats visit Pine-Richland next week for a nonconference matchup.

With the win, Kiski Area kept its Class 5A playoff hopes alive. The Cavaliers visit Armstrong next week to face the Riverhawks in conference action.

“I’ve never been prouder of a group, because, again, these kids fight and battle every game,” Albert said.

Tags: Kiski Area, Latrobe