SOMERSET —
Give the Greater Johnstown Trojans an inch, they’ll take six points. Take that inch away and the Trojans’ athleticism may get that inch back and then some.
It was a lesson learned by the Somerset Golden Eagles Friday night as Johnstown used its big-play capabilities on its way to a 46-7 win at Somerset. Johnstown (5-0) popped off six plays that covered more than 20 yards with five of those plays resulting in touchdowns.
“We’re really blessed,” Johnstown coach Tony Penna Jr. said. “We have 55 men on the roster, and we have some great athletes. They came out and did a great job (Friday). Somerset had a great gameplan, but our boys played well.”
On their opening drive, the Trojans needed just two plays to find the end zone as Gervon Simon connected with Dwight Andrews on a 54-yard touchdown pass. Michael Brooks’ extra point made it 7-0 just 2:14 into the contest.
Thanks to runs of 37 and 5 yards by Justin Schrock, the Golden Eagles (0-5) marched to the Johnstown 14 on the ensuing drive before a 3-yard loss by Philip Ickes preceded a fourth-down sack of Brendan Urbain, giving the Trojans possession at their own 22. Johnstown moved the ball down the field in seven plays, cashing in when Simon teamed up with Alkwan Williams on a screen pass from the 23. Williams danced through the Somerset defense on his way to the end zone.
After turning the ball over on consecutive possessions, Johnstown ran its lead to 21-0 with 6:26 left in the second when Simon launched a 49-yard pass to Andrews, who was wide open on the left side of the Somerset defense.
Johnstown delivered another long score when Tyler Arsenault raced 85 yards to the end zone. Arsenault carried the ball six times for 105 yards.
“Athletes. Athletes. Athletes. All over the field,” Somerset coach Steve Costea said. “A lot of the first half, we were in position and got to where we needed to be. Athleticism took over and (Johnstown) made big plays.”
Simon, who was 11 of 19 for 208 yards and five touchdowns with another 81 yards coming on four rushes, helped the Trojans spread their lead to 34-0 early in the third by scrambling for 51 yards three plays before he hooked up with Williams from 13 yards away.
Johnstown marched 34 yards in four plays with a 22-yard pass to Andrews from Simon acting as the payoff with 5:19 remaining in the third. Andrews was Johnstown’s leading receiver, catching four passes for 138 yards.
“In our spread offense, we’re going to take what you give us,” Penna Jr. said. “(Somerset) was packing a lot of guys in the box to take away our running game. With the receivers we have, if you’re going to do that, you’re going to take a chance. We did try to test their corners, and our big-play guys made some big plays.”
Somerset prevented the shutout late in the fourth as a 67-yard march was capped off by Michael Flyte’s 14-yard pass to Tyler Funa. Tanner Sarver, who rushed for 35 yards on the drive, added the extra point.
“That’s good to see (Funa) get a ball,” Costea said. “He’s a senior, he’s new to the game, hasn’t played for a couple years and it was good to see him get a touchdown. It was a high point for him and it was a high point for the team ... He can tell his grandkids about that.”
Schrock led Somerset with 82 yards.
The Trojans scored 14 seconds later when Alex Merriman scooped up the ensuing kickoff and returned it 84 yards. Johns-town took a knee on the conversion try.
High School Sports
Big plays power Johnstown win
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Pitcher's 'bad day' results in no-hitter
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Westmont, Somerset represented at PIAA Class AA tennis tourney
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Corridini’s hit propels Shade
Tasha Corridini had been having a tough time at the plate on Wednesday.
The Shade leftfielder had struck out twice in her prior two at-bats against Shanksville-Stonycreek pitcher Kayla Stockenus.
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