JOHNSTOWN —
Johnstown hadn’t trailed in Friday night’s game against city rival Bishop McCort at Point Stadium, but suddenly, the Trojans found themselves in a pinch.
McCort – which had won six straight games in the series and was 10-1-1 since the programs resumed playing in 1989 – had marched 74 yards in 13 plays to close within a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
The Crushers flawlessly executed a gutsy fake punt near midfield to extend the drive.
This was a turning point. McCort was poised to complete the comeback against undefeated Johnstown.
But on the next play from scrimmage, Trojans quarterback Gervon Simon ran 80 yards for a touchdown. Johnstown had hoped to chew up some clock, but coach Tony Penna Jr. gladly took the 15-second scoring jaunt that sealed Johnstown’s 27-14 victory.
“These kids believed in themselves,” Penna said after Johns-town defeated McCort for the first time since 2003. “They came out here and played their hearts out. What you see different about this team than years past is every time the chips are stacked against them, somebody steps up and makes the play.”
Simon was involved in all four touchdowns. He rushed for 100 yards and scored twice, including a 1-yard plunge that made it 14-0 in the first half. The junior completed a 26-yard fade pass to Dwight Andrews in the end zone for Johnstown’s first touchdown, and he hit Marc Watson with a 6-yard scoring pass in the third quarter.
“It was just a matter of us staying focused all week and forgetting about all of the hype,” said Simon, who passed for 113 yards. “It was a surreal night. It was crazy. It was absolutely amazing. There is so much pride and tradition in this program.”
Johnstown is 7-0 for the first time since the 1988 Keystone Conference-champion Trojans won their first 11 games before losing to Blackhawk in the WPIAL playoffs.
The Crushers’ (4-3) four-game winning streak ended.
“I thought the game boiled down to the few big plays we gave up on defense combined with the big turnovers we gave up on offense,” Bishop McCort coach Ken Salem said.
The Simon-to-Andrews touchdown, and the first of three Michael Brooks extra-point kicks gave Johnstown a 7-0 lead at 7:08 of the opening quarter.
“Our line gave us enough time for my three-step drop and it was a perfect fade to Dwight Andrews,” Simon said. “He made a phenomenal catch. I actually was on my back. I heard the crowd go crazy.”
The Trojans defense forced punts on McCort's first three drives and limited the Crushers to only a pass interference penalty for a first down in that span.
But McCort's defense tightened after Johnstown’s initial score. the Crushers gained some momentum while moving 57 yards to the Trojans 13-yard line in seven plays. Johnstown stopped the drive, which ended in Jordan Spangler's 30-yard field goal attempt that went wide left 7:36 before halftime.
The Trojans later capitalized on Shon Brantley's fumble recovery on Zach Varga's fumble at the McCort 24. Simon’s touchdown on the keeper made it 14-0.
The Crushers defense pinned Johnstown inside its own 10 and forced a punt on the first drive of the second half. Anthony LaRue's 43-yard punt return set up his own 3-yard touchdown run. Spangler's extra-point pulled McCort within seven at 14-7 at 6:21 of the third.
“This is exactly what we expected from McCort,” Penna said. “Coach Salem is an unbelievable coach. He’s won all these games for a reason.”
Johnstown answered with Alkwan Williams' 55-yard gain on a third-and-13 screen pass. The big play set up Simon's 6-yard scoring pass to Watson to make it 21-7 late in the third.
Jesse Cooper's 12-yard TD pass to a wide-open Christian Leech on third-and-goal pulled McCort within 21-14 with 7:03 to play.
The Crushers used a fake punt on fourth-and-3 from their own 46. Varga gained 21 yards to keep the scoring drive going.
“I thought our team played very well,” Salem said. “We just cannot turn the ball over against good teams. Johnstown has big playmakers, and that’s why they’re 7-0.”
That was evident on Simon’s 80-yard dash.
“That just turned the whole game around,” Simon said. “It took the energy out of them and gave it right back to us. We got all of that intensity back.”
Added Salem, “Gervon is a big playmaker. He made a big play when Johnstown needed it. We had the momentum. We were driving the ball. That’s what they’re all about. They’re a big-play machine. We thought we did a good job of eliminating those big plays. But they live on the big play, and that’s the difference in the ballgame.”
McCort had two more chances but Johnstown’s Calvin Anderson had his ninth interception of the season and another possession ended on downs.
The large crowd at the Point included NFL connections from both schools. Arizona Cardinals running back and special teams player LaRod Stephens-Howling of Johnstown and former Cincinnati Bengals/New England Patriots defensive back Artrell Hawkins of McCort each were on their team’s sideline.
“The support from the community was overwhelming and unbelievable,” said Penna, whose team outgained McCort 290-205 but was hurt by 13 penalties for 97 yards.
High School Sports
Related Photos
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Greater Johnstown running back Alkwan Williams (5) is brought down by Bishop McCort’s Jordan Spangler during the second quarter on Friday night at Point Stadium in Johnstown. Williams reached the 1-yard line to set up the Trojans’ second touchdown in their 27-14 victory over the Crimson Crushers. Todd Berkey
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Bishop McCort running back Zach Varga looks for running room as Johnstown defenders Luke Kmett (42) and Brock Eisenhuth close in on the play. Todd Berkey
Discussion
Simon’s 80-yard run seals Johnstown’s win over McCort
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