Well-rounded Southmoreland routs Laurel Highlands

By: Jim Downey
Friday, September 5, 2025 | 11:52 PM

The Southmoreland defense bookended touchdowns, and the offense did its job with six scores in between as the Scotties rolled to a 54-7 nonconference win over Laurel Highlands at Russ Grimm Field on Friday.

Both teams entered the conference opener with 2-0 records.

“It’s really exciting to see how the guys competed today,” said first-year coach Dustin Shoaf. “You put 54 points up, it’s a lot.

“At the end of the day, our kids came out and competed. We challenged our kids today to strive for success and to get better.”

Shoaf added, “When you win 54-7, you play all three phases of the ball.”

The Mustangs were short-handed with quarterback Noah Lion and running back Gio Guerriere sidelined with injuries suffered in the first half of last week’s home game against Ambridge.

“Hats off to Laurel Highlands. They’re a good program. They’re a good football program and have a good staff,” Shoaf said.

The Southmoreland defense made the most of an errant snap on the first offensive play of the game. The ball sailed towards the end zone, and Luke Stinnett gathered the ball under his body in the end zone at 11 minutes, 45 seconds. The 2-point attempt failed.

The Southmoreland special teams returned the favor when, after the defense forced a punt, the bouncing ball hit a blocker and was recovered by Laurel Highlands at the Scotties’ 4-yard line.

Nicholas Crouch bounced off tacklers for a 3-yard scoring run at 9:36. Jackson Nairn’s point-after spotted the visiting Mustangs a 7-6 lead.

Quarterback Dawson Wolfe set up the go-ahead touchdown with a long run to the Laurel Highlands’ 2-yard line. Wolfe finished the drive with a short touchdown run at 7:37.

Southmoreland survived another fumbled punt midway through the first quarter and used the momentum for a touchdown.

Averyon Darnell capped the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run with 1:27 left in the quarter. Liam Smith’s point-after gave the Scotties a 20-7 lead.

The lone score of the second quarter was Ty Whoric’s one-handed, 34-yard touchdown reception with just 11 seconds left in the half for a 27-7 advantage.

Wolfe was tough to bring down for most of the game, but notably in the second half with a 43-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.

He showed a nice passing touch with a 17-yard toss to Jackson Mickens not quite two minutes later. The scoring play was set up by Cam Lee’s interception.

Wolfe’s 5-yard run with 2:51 remaining in the third quarter invoked the mercy rule.

Wolfe carried the ball 14 times for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He also completed 9 of 12 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns.

Jake Hull capped the scoring when he scooped up a mishandled pitch and sprinted 21 yards into the end zone.

The Southmoreland amassed 418 total offensive yards but also committed a number of penalties on both sides of the ball — as did Laurel Highlands — and had a couple of mishandled balls on special teams.

“We have to get back to the drawing board and clean up some things,” Shoaf said. “I can tell you that’s not us, and we will get it fixed.

“We did enough to play a good offense. We moved the football. We played good defense.”

Southmoreland has the week off from Interstate Conference play Friday when the Scotties are on the road at Blackhawk.

“We need to continue with the sense of urgency. Week in and week out, we challenge our kids. It’s a 1-0 mentality,” Shoaf said. “We’re super excited to go up to Beaver County and play a good Blackhawk team.”

Tags: Laurel Highlands, Southmoreland