It took second-seeded Greater Johnstown until the second quarter to get its motor in gear at Trojan Stadium on Friday night.
The Trojans spotted third-seeded Indian Valley a first-quarter touchdown before reeling off five consecutive scores to defeat the Warriors 35-7 in a District 6 Class AAA semifinal.
Trojans fullback Quadir Christian tallied two rushing touchdowns, quarterback John Siciliano threw for a score and ran for another before Johnstown capped its win over the defending district champions when Calvin Anderson picked off an errant William Long pass for a touchdown.
“We got off to a slow start. We were sluggish,” Trojans coach Kevin Marabito said. “It could have been attributed to some nerves.
“The positive thing is the kids bounced back and we just took it to them. We believed all along we could do this. We started out slow, but good football teams can find ways to make things happen, and once we got going it was tough stopping us.”
The Men of Troy had two touchdowns called back – one in each half – on holding penalties, something Marabito knows his team will have to shore up.
“The only thing that hurt us (Friday) was the penalties,” said Marabito, who is in his second season at Johnstown. “We’ve got to cut down on those.”
Johnstown (8-3) will face No. 1 seed Hollidaysburg (9-1) on Nov. 14 at Altoona’s Mansion Park for the district championship.
“You get there, it’s just icing on the cake,” Marabito said. “We’ve just got to go out and play hard and whatever happens. If we can get the District 6 title, that’s what you shoot for.”
The lone score for the Warriors (4-7) came with 14 seconds left in the first quarter, when Michael Fultz hauled in a pass from Long, who threw three interceptions, and found his way into the end zone from the 27.
Christian scored from the 1 after Siciliano passed to LaQuinn Stephens-Howling for 50 yards on a 3rd-and-24 from Johnstown’s own 49. Jon Maurizio booted the first of three point-after kicks, tying the game at 7.
“We started out very well,” Indian Valley coach Tom Shearer said. “We had some momentum and we slowly lost it. I think that long pass took a little bit out of us. It was a great play on their part.”
Siciliano, who was 4-of-9 passing for 101 yards, then hit Jordan Jefferson from the 10 to give Johnstown a 13-7 lead at halftime.
Christian found the end zone from the 16 with 10:10 left in the third quarter to break open the game. Carlton Wyatt pulled in the two-point conversion pass from Siciliano for a 21-7 lead.
“We came out a little sluggish,” said Christian, who finished with 64 rushing yards on 12 carries. “Our line bounced back and the receivers did a good job blocking when I ran the ball. We ran a little bit, and that opened up our passing.”
Siciliano scored from the 8 with 11:04 remaining in the fourth quarter, and Anderson’s 27-yard interception return down the left sideline with 10:14 left set the final.
“It was a great win for the community, the school and the team itself,” Marabito said.
High School Sports
Trojans punch ticket for District 6 title game
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UPDATED Bedford advances in PIAA wrestling in odd way
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Bedford goes to Class AA quarterfinals by thumping first-time participant Western Wayne
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A closer look at Thursday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
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High School Basketball in Brief
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[VIDEO] Cory Berchick sets Township school mark, but Somerset wins the match
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High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Tuesday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
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High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Monday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
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Mifflin County bests Westmont Hilltop in District 6 Class AAA semis
Mifflin County finished Saturday’s District 6 Class AAA semifinal with a flourish – both in the dual meet and individual matches – on the way to a 36-26 victory over Westmont Hilltop.
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Bedford captures District 5 crown
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[VIDEO] Bishop McCort avenges earlier loss to Richland
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