In a game that tested the limits of the bend-but-don’t-break defensive philosophy, Westmont pulled off a 13-7 upset of host Richland in a Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference matchup.
The Hilltoppers (2-5) used an inspired performance from T.J. Keklak who rushed for 296 yards on 39 carries. Keklak also scored both Hilltoppers touchdowns on runs of 69 and 74 yards.
The numbers came as no surprise to Westmont coach Matt Glennon who praised the performance of his workhorse but stressed there was more than a little help along the way.
“He gets the ball. We want to control the ball and the clock, and he is going to get a lot of work. He knows it coming in and the other team knows it, too,” Glennon said. “But our offensive line knew they had to make it work up front (Friday night), and they stepped up. It was just a remarkable game for them and the way they played.”
Keklak’s first score came shortly after the Rams had been stopped at the Westmont 1-yard line. A fumble on first-and-goal was just the beginning of Richland’s red-zone woes.
The Rams (3-4) also were stopped at the Westmont 8-yard line on a fourth-down play and the Westmont 9, again on fourth down in the first half.
The Rams’ first scoring threat of the second half also ended inside the Hilltoppers’ 10-yard line on a fourth and goal.
“That is exactly it, more trouble in the red zone and it killed us,” Richland coach Brandon Bailey said. “You get down there and you make mistakes or penalties or dropped balls and it takes its toll. But they (Westmont) were out there trying to win a game, too, and they made plays when they had to.”
Richland tied it at 7 in the second quarter when quarterback Gino Ramires connected on a 30-yard scoring strike to wideout Tim Ripple.
Ramires, who is leading the state in passing yardage, had reeled off 96 yards with a 16-for-25 performance in the first half but was injured on the Rams’ final drive of the half and never touched the ball again.
“We don’t know the full nature of the injury just yet but he just could not go in the second half,” Bailey said. “It was to his throwing shoulder. It is not an excuse mind you, but when you lead the state in passing and then lose your quarterback, it is really tough to do the things you usually do.”
Backup quarterback Ryan Sylvia needed the third quarter to settle into the position.
“He stepped in and did a nice job,” said Bailey. “With the number of snaps he gets in practice during the week though, it took some time for the offense to get going again.”
The Rams defense also played inspired despite the big run numbers for Keklak.
The Hilltoppers managed only 11 more rushing yards than their feature back’s total and they completed just three passes.
But the margin of error was too thin, with one more break coming with just 5:24 remaining in the game.
Keklak sprinted for his second long score of the day.
“He is that kind of kid,” Glennon said. “He just keeps going, and sooner or later he will bust it off. This was a good win and an effort by the entire team that earned it.”
The Rams managed a final drive, but the final pass of the night was intercepted, fittingly inside the Westmont 10-yard line.
“Yeah that is how the night went,” Bailey said. “But these kids fought back and in the end they had a shot.”
High School Sports
Keklak powers Westmont past Richland
- High School Sports
-
-
Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. -
Young takes silver in state triple jump
Chestnut Ridge senior Michael Young capped six years of triple jumping with a silver medal Friday on the first day of the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Seth Grove Stadium on the campus of Shippensburg University.
Young had a career-best leap of 45-9¼ just behind Jared Horne of Schuylkill Valley whose winning jump was 46-9. -
Forest Hills’ Smay places fifth in Class AA long jump
Brooke Smay is moving on up.
The Forest Hills junior earned a fifth-place position in the Class AA long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 3 ½ inches Friday on the first day of the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University. -
Bishop McCort wins District 6-A baseball crown
Bishop McCort truly won the District 6 Class A baseball championship as a team on Friday at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
There were more than a few huge plays. Of course a number of individuals stepped up to secure a 3-1 victory over LHAC rival Bishop Guilfoyle. -
Somerset denied 6-AAA baseball title
Hollidaysburg pitcher Dom Viduya and his Golden Tigers teammates beat defending champion Somerset 3-1 in Thursday’s District 6 Class AAA championship game at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
-
Pitcher's 'bad day' results in no-hitter
Bridgit Yothers struggled on the mound on Thursday.
But the Chestnut Ridge right-hander was able to persevere through her issues, throwing a no-hitter against Bedford in their District 5 Class AA semifinal and helping the Lions to a 5-0 victory. -
Local athletes look to shine at PIAA track and field meet
Each of the nearly 50 area athletes who will be competing at this weekend’s PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University, will be looking for his or her best performance of the season, but only the top eight finishers in each event for both boys and girls will stand on the podium in front of the crowd at Seth Grove Stadium.
-
Westmont, Somerset represented at PIAA Class AA tennis tourney
The PIAA Class AA tennis tournament showcases the top players in the state, which includes three area athletes, when it begins today at the Hershey Racquet Club.
-
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.
But in the bottom of the seventh of a scoreless game with Kaily Karl on first, Corridini clubbed a triple out to the fence, scoring Karl and giving the Panthers a walk-off 1-0 win over the Vikings in a District 5 Class A softball quarterfinal. - More High School Sports Headlines
-
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
