Landon Kucic runs for 4 TDs as Kiski Area dominates Knoch in opener
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Friday, August 23, 2024 | 10:36 PM
Kiski Area’s Aven Shirley returns the opening kickoff against Knoch for a touchdown Friday.
Kiski Area’s Aven Shirley and Andrew Finney break up a pass intended for Knoch’s Wyatt Fraser on Friday.
Kiski Area quarterback Carson Heinle is wrapped up by Knoch’s Wyatt Fraser during the first half Friday.
Kiski Area’s Aven Shirley defends Knoch’s Keaton Oprosky as he catches a pass during the first half Friday.
Kiski Area’s Andrew Finney (4) defends as Knoch’s Wyatt Fraser makes a catch during the first half Friday.
It didn’t take Kiski Area long to jump into the 2024 football season.
After making the playoffs last year in 4A, the Cavaliers moved up a classification. They traveled to Saxonburg on Friday to take on Knoch, which also moved up in classification after qualifying for the 3A playoffs in 2023.
Junior Aven Shirley returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown 13 seconds into the game, and Kiski Area never looked back on its way to a 42-7 victory.
“You know, the first game, you worry about special teams,” Kiski Area coach Sam Albert said. “Aven actually said before the game, ‘Coach, I’m taking it back first time I touch (the football) tonight,’ and he delivered.”
Knoch answered with a nice drive, moving into Kiski Area territory, before Teagen Shirley intercepted his first of two passes on the night.
The Cavaliers then drove eight plays before senior Landon Kucic scored from 1 yard to put Kiski Area in front 14-0.
Kucic, who led the Cavaliers in rushing last season, ran for 182-yards and four touchdowns.
“He had a great offseason for us,” Albert said of his running back. “We knew coming in and hoped coming in that would pay off. You saw tonight, when you get in his way, he’s going through you. But he showed some bursts as well.”
On Kiski Area’s next play from scrimmage, Kucic scampered 72-yards for a 21-0 lead.
Knoch got its only touchdown when Codi Mullen scored on a 5-yard run to make it 21-7.
But Kucic scored on a 3-yard run 2:31 before halftime, and Carter Brown added a 6-yard touchdown run just before halftime to put Kiski Area up 35-7.
Kucic’s fourth touchdown on a 5-yard run in the third quarter put the mercy rule in effect, making the score 42-7.
Junior quarterback Colt Sprankle, who transferred to Knoch from Armstrong, had an impressive debut for the Knights, completing 29 of 43 passes for 230 yards. Mullen had 11 catches for 58 yards to lead the way for Knoch.
“When you move every two years, it’s hard to build rivalries,” Albert said. “Our conference, (the Big East), top to bottom is I think the hardest in 5A. But we’re excited for that, and hopefully we can compete with two 6A teams.”
Knoch (0-1) hosts 3A North Catholic next week.
Kiski Area (1-0) plays 6A Norwin next week before hosting 6A Hempfield during a four-game homestand.
Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.
Tags: Kiski Area, Knoch
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