McKeesport’s triple-option too much for Kiski Area

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 12, 2018 | 11:54 PM

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It wasn’t pretty for McKeesport, but it didn’t need to be to look good on the scoreboard.

On what felt like the first fall night of the season, the Tigers showed up Friday with plenty of big plays in their back pocket.

McKeesport used splash plays from running backs Devin Sims and Devari Robinson and a handful of fourth-down stops early to overcome a litany of penalties and turnovers to beat visiting Kiski Area, 66-6, in a nonconference game.

After a quick strike and a stop had the Tigers up, a botched exchange by McKeesport (7-1, 4-1) gave the Cavs an early opportunity. Quarterback Ryne Wallace, the leading passer in Class 5A, found favorite target Jack Colecchi to tie the score. But Kiski Area (3-5, 2-3) would miss the PAT and never threatened again once McKeesport’s triple option got rolling.

Sims, a senior tailback, scored on a 53-yard run up the gut before showcasing his passing skills on the next possession on a flea flicker to a wide open Lance Robinson for a 67-yard score.

“Our offensive line,” said McKeesport coach Matt Miller, “we have two first-team all-conference guys coming back and one second team. We knew that was going to be a strength. They’re tough kids and create the holes.”

Though senior quarterback Kenota Gaskins only factored into one rushing touchdown, he kept Kiski off-balance with the triple option.

“We played undisciplined,” Kiski Area coach Sam Albert said. “When you play the triple option, it’s assignment football. You have dive, quarterback and pitch. If you don’t do that, they’re going to run them down the field.”

Kiski Area can still earn a playoff berth by winning its final two Class 5A Northern Conference games.

“These exhibition games don’t matter to us,” Albert said. “They don’t get us to where we want to be. Mars and Armstrong, that’s our season.”

If the Tigers had any obstacles, it was mistakes. On one first half possession, it had two touchdowns called back on penalties.

On another apparant score, Gaskins connected with Deamontae Diggs for a 51-yard gain, but he fumbled at the 1-yard line while fighting to get to the end zone.

“I was very angry at halftime and very angry during the game,” said Miller, who drew a 15-yard sideline misconduct penalty in the first half. “I thought we came in a little lackadaisical and it showed on the field. We weren’t ready to play. I’m just trying to get them focused. … In a closer game, that’s going to bite us in the backside.”

Everything else came easy for McKeesport, however, including a stout defensive front and strong pass rush that contained Wallace.

The Tigers ability to control the line of scrimmage on two critical fourth downs early on helped seal the game, and Wallace struggled to connect on his passes, going 7 for 22 for 54 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Robinson got in on the fun late in the second quarter, breaking out a 26-yard run, followed by a 10-yard touchdown. He started off the second half with a 76-yard touchdown run to put the Tigers up by 42.

The Cavaliers struggled on the ground as started running back Drew Dinunzio-Biss, along with four other starters, sat out with an injury.

“(McKeesport) is a great football team. They have skilled athletes, but we had some kids in there that just aren’t ready to be out there yet,” Albert said.

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.

Tags: Kiski School, McKeesport