Short-handed Norwin no match for Seneca Valley in conference opener

By: Friday, September 13, 2024 | 10:30 PM

Norwin might be improved, but the Knights found out the hard way that nothing is going to come easy in Class 6A.

Turnovers plagued them early in their conference opener, and it snowballed from there in a 26-6 loss to Seneca Valley in the conference opener Friday night at Norwin Knights Stadium.

"We were on Cloud 9, now it's back to rock bottom," Norwin coach Mike Brown said. "We didn't make plays tonight, and we were undisciplined. We have to play a full 48 minutes."

Banged-up Norwin (2-2, 0-1) fell behind early and could not recover against the Raiders (1-2, 1-0), who did not get to play a game last week because of a weather postponement. They looked fresh from the kick.

"They were disappointed they couldn't play last week," Seneca Valley coach Ron Butschle said. "Norwin is a tough, physical team. They had two wins coming in, and we had zero. Now we have one."

Seneca Valley, which lost 50-14 to Bethel Park and 13-6 to North Hills, forced three turnovers in the first half and produced points on each one to take a 17-0 lead into the break.

Speaking of breaks, Butschle said his team finally got one.

"We had two pick-6s in the first quarter (in Week Zero) and had maybe five turnovers (in two games)," Butschle said. "The first two weeks, we were on the other side. It was time to change the trajectory."

After the Raiders had a lengthy drive sawed off by a lost fumble — Sauly Guyaux recovered for the Knights — Norwin gave possession right back.

Tristyn Tavares fumbled at the Raiders' 26, and Josiah Edwards recovered and took it back 74 yards for a touchdown.

The scoop-and-score got the Raiders rolling, and they were crisp from there.

"Seneca Valley had a great game plan," Brown said. "They have some big, strong kids. We have to look in the mirror and look at the things we can do better. Our guys know we let one go."

More trouble followed for the Knights on the ensuing drive. Josh Falco not only blocked a punt, but also recovered it early in the second quarter.

Two plays later, Cayden Parker scored from the 5 to make it 14-0.

Parker ran for 98 yards on 18 carries, and Chase Mazanek added 95 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

The Raiders piled up 250 yards on the ground to Norwin's 137.

"We wanted a steady dose of No. 4 (Parker) and No. 5 (Mazanek) tonight," Butschle said.

A late first-half drive ended with a sack, and the Knights also muffed a punt to give the Raiders another chance at points.

JT Wolfe recovered on the miscue.

Kicker Max Eisenhut then sent a 46-yard field goal — the first of two three-pointers — through the uprights to make it 17-0.

"He's our MVP of the year," Butschle said of his kicker. "He bangs it through in practice and hits big punts for us. He's one of these kickers who loves the weight room."

The Raiders picked up where they left off to open the second half, using six runs to increase their lead. Mazanek cut through the middle for a 50-yard touchdown.

Jake Sincak blocked the extra point, and the Raiders led 23-0.

Norwin tried to live up to its second-half team label but could not rally as the Raiders pumped time off the clock with their running game.

Tavares hit Cooper Wilson with a 38-yard touchdown strike late in the third, but the 2-point run failed.

The Raiders kept the ball on the ground before Eisenhut hit again early in the fourth. His 41-yard field goal gave Seneca Valley a 26-6 advantage.

A reverse pass from Brayden Wise to Jayden Price moved the ball into Knights' territory.

Norwin played without five starters because of injuries or illness, including key lineman Lucas Altier (foot) and wide receiver/safety Michael Crnkovic (knee).

The Knights already were missing lineman Maxsym Fierle, who tore his ACL in Week Zero.

"It's tough when you have so many guys playing both ways," Brown said. "We have to have (backups) step up and be confident in their assignment. We don't have the depth of these other teams."

Norwin drove to the Raiders' 18 on its opening drive, but Evan Pfeifer missed left on a 35-yard field goal attempt.

Tavares rushed for 60 yards but was 10 of 22 passing for 130 yards.

Wilson had four catches for 63 yards in the loss.

"We're going back to the drawing board," Brown said. "These kids will fight. I know it."

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at .