Spartans, Pats Face Spirited Opponents
Friday, September 10, 2004 Page: 1B
Pittston Area coach Steve Armillay viewed it as relentlessness. Wyoming
Valley West coach Ed Michaels determined it was scrappiness.
Now the chore is to eliminate those characteristics.
Pittston Area gets its crack at 7 p.m. today, hosting a Scranton squad that
pushed Valley West to the limit last Friday.
“They played hard for 48 minutes,” Armillay said of Scranton, which
rallied from a 21-point deficit before falling 36-33 to Valley West last
Friday. “That’s the kind of program (Scranton coach) John (Marichak) runs
there.”
Then at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Valley West travels to The Pit in Clarks Summit to
play Abington Heights, which is fresh off a 14-7 upset of Hazleton Area.
“No doubt about it,” Michaels said when asked if he was surprised by the
outcome. “They aren’t a really big, physical team, but they are a scrappy
bunch. They played a whale of a game against Hazleton.”
So did Scranton after a slow start against Valley West. The Knights gave up
a touchdown pass on their first defensive play, turned the ball over on their
second offensive play and fell behind 28-7 midway through the second quarter
before regrouping.
Tailback Mike Latorre sparked the comeback attempt that cut Valley West’s
lead to 30-20 at halftime. The District 2 Class 3A 100-meter champion set up
one touchdown with a 65-yard kick return and dashed 76 yards for another
score.
“He is a quick kid,” Armillay said, “but he’s not a tackle-to-tackle
runner. He is more of a draw or toss player.”
Pittston Area expects to see more of Scranton tailback Joe Gorton, who had
just 12 yards on seven carries last Friday, and fullback Dave Cottone, who
added 36 yards on six rushes. Circumstances prevented both from toting the
ball more. Knights quarterback A.J. McKenna was 15-of-28 for 208 yards and
three touchdowns in his debut, but misfired on a couple long passes in the
second half.
Armillay was pleased with the defensive effort in last Friday’s 22-7
victory over Valley View, but expects more from the offense. That could be
difficult with big-play threat Dalen Broussard sidelined with a dislocated
ankle.
“We not going to make up for his loss,” Armillay said. “He is a great
kid and we’ll miss him as both a person and a player. Coach (Terry) Karg will
figure a way to get everyone to contribute. We still have Tom Grayson, who is
a workhorse, and Jeff Anderson, who give us some speed.”
The Patriots also have Jack Stankoski, one of the Wyoming Valley
Conference’s best quarterbacks.
Abington averaged less than 3 yards per carry vs. Hazleton Area, but a
fumble recovery and a fourth-down stand in the fourth quarter proved to be the
difference. Running back Devin Hewlett and quarterback Jeremy Jayne paced the
offense.
Since Michaels became head coach in 1998, the Spartans have won four of six
meetings with Abington. However, both of the losses came at Abington on
Saturday afternoons.
“I think it’s tough on us because we’re used to playing Friday night,”
Michaels said. “Plus, there’s the setting and atmosphere up there and we’re
so geared up to play Friday.”
Today’s games
(7 p.m.)
Coughlin (0-1) at Meyers (0-1): The city schools’ first meeting since 1988
won’t be a barn-burner, but maybe a shed-burner.
Hanover Area (1-0) at Crestwood (1-0): Comet coach/county commissioner
Skrep wanted a mean mascot to roam the sidelines, but could only come up with
a teacup poodle. A close game between programs moving forward.
Northwest (1-0) at Nanticoke (1-0): The Trojans dedicate their refurbished
stadium tonight. Rumor has it that they even have yardline numbers on the
field. Now that’s progress.
Speaking of progress, how about the job Northwest coach Randy Yaple has
done off Route 239.
Pocono Mountain West (0-1) at Lake-Lehman (0-1): Lehman coach Greg Myers
goes for his first career win in two tries. Not bad. West coach Jim McCarroll
goes for his second career win in 24 tries. Not good.
Scranton (0-1) at Pittston Area (1-0): Big state points game for the
winner.
Tunkhannock (1-0) at Berwick (1-0): If the figures are right, Tunkhannock
coach Steve Jervis was in seventh grade the last time the Tigers defeated
Berwick.
Williamsport (0-1) at Hazleton Area (0-1): Williamsport’s 15-game losing
streak started with a 29-26 loss to Hazleton Area in 2002. Looks like it may
continue.
Wyoming Area (1-0) at Pocono Mountain East (0-1): The Warriors travel to
the Poconos minus two of their standouts, which is two more than East usually
has.
Tomorrow’s games
(1 p.m. unless noted)
GAR (0-1) at Dallas (1-0): GAR coach Tony Khalife was pretty steamed about
his team’s performance against Tunkhannock. But it’s safe to say Dallas coach
Ted Jackson wasn’t all smiles after squeaking past Coughlin.
Wyoming Valley West (1-0) at Abington Heights (1-0): Not much noise was
made when Abington Heights dropped to Class 3A this season. A victory here
could make the district’s 3A powers take notice.
Cardinal Brennan (1-0) at Bishop Hafey (0-1): Cardinals have more power
than bishops in both football and Catholicism.
Kiski Prep (0-0) at Wyoming Seminary (0-0), 1:30 p.m.: Seminary knocked the
tar out of Kiski the last three meetings, but you never know about prep
football.
Old Forge (1-0) at Bishop Hoban (1-0), 7 p.m.: A rare chance to see two of
the area’s best players – Hoban’s Brian Ostrowsky and Old Forge’s Dom Uhrin –
run their butts off.
Bishop O’Hara (1-0) at Bishop O’Reilly (0-1), 7 p.m.: O’Reilly’s only
victory last year came when O’Hara forfeited because of an ineligible player.
The Queensmen try to win this one between the lines.
