BY RYAN GEORGE
NEW FLORENCE — Homer- Center broke a seven game losing streak against Laurel Valley Saturday afternoon with a 20-14 win in Heritage Conference play.
The Wildcats (5-2) matched the Rams in points in the first half but managed to keep the hosts off the board in the second half, control the clock with a solid running game and manage the game-winning score moments into the closing quarter.
“It feels very good to win today but it’s just another win during the course of the season,” said Homer-Center coach Greg Page. “We had to approach the game just like any other Heritage Conference contest.”
For the hosts, another home loss left Laurel Valley head coach Charles Nanassy disappointed in his team’s ability offensively to produce in the second half.
“They outplayed us in the second half, there’s no question about that,’’ Nanassy explained.
“We didn’t get the offense going in the second half, although we did a little bit right, it wasn’t quite enough.”
The winning drive amassed 66 yards on 17 plays with key runs from Homer-Center backs John Elliott and Ryan Mlaker, both of whom had key runs on the scoring drive and the following possession which failed to allow Laurel Valley another opportunity offensively.
Elliott scored from a yard out for the Wildcats, and although the point after attempt resulted in a botched snap, the touchdown won the contest.
“We came out focused in the second half and have to give a lot of credit to our offensive line,’’ Elliott said following the win. “We knew what we had to do to win the game.”
Page also saw his team’s focus at the half.
“We came out with more determination in the second half to win this game.”
Laurel Valley took the opening kickoff. On the second play from scrimmage, Chris Morrow failed to take the pitch out from quarterback Adam Miller and the ball ended up on the ground in the hands of Homer-Center.
Starting at the Rams 32, the Wildcats quickly produced the opening score of the contest. Quarterback Stephen Nymick scored from a yard out. Eric Cusimano added the point after for the 7-0 Homer-Center lead at 6:12 of the first quarter.
The Rams quickly rebounded on their next possession. Charles Miller dashed 42 yards to the Homer-Center 11-yard line for the Rams and were within moments of the tying score. Kegan Hall finished the drive with his first of two touchdowns on the day for the Rams, this one came from 2 yards out. Miller kicked the point after to tie the game 7-7.
Laurel Valley attempted to regain possession on the ensuing kickoff by booting an on-side try but, the ball ended up in the arms of a Homer-Center up man and the Wildcats again were given excellent field possession.
Moments into the Wildcat possession Nymick floated a pass over the head of three Ram defenders into the arms of Zach Galasso for a 47-yard touchdown pass. Cusimano added the point after for the 14-7 lead.
The only score of the second quarter proved to be Laurel Valley’s most decisive drive. The Rams went 70 yards and benefited from a roughing the punter penalty, which allowed the drive to continue inside Homer-Center territory.
Hall finished the drive later with a 5-yard touchdown run and Miller kicked the point after to tie the contest going into the half.
