BY ROBERT IGOE
ALTOONA — Greater Johnstown wanted to use the final three games of the season to make a statement to potential playoff opponents.
Johnstown quarterback John Siciliano needed a little more than a half to make that statement in leading the Trojans to a 42-0 win over Bishop Guilfoyle Friday night.
The senior ran for 105 yards and was 9-for-11 for 152 yards and two touchdowns for the Trojans (5-3).
“It’s do-or-die time,” said Trojans coach Kevin Marabito. “Even when you know you’ll make the playoffs, you want to go in on a high note and put a streak together.”
It was Johnstown’s third straight victory.
Siciliano opened the game with a 30-yard run, then went 22 yards on his second carry for Johnstown’s first touchdown.
The Marauders wasted a 48-yard kickoff return by Eugene Ehredt to turn the ball over on downs at the Trojans 36 when a fake punt failed. A 43-yard pass from Sicilano to Ryan Sisco set up Johnstown’s second touchdown when Dajour Morris scored from the 2.
LaQuinn Stephens-Howling scored on a 10-yard run, dragging several Marauders in with him, then Siciliano took to the air for two touchdown passes. His first came on an 18-yard pass to Richard Agurs, and his next came on a drive in which he was responsible for all of his team’s offense. He combined a 12-yard run with a 4-for-4 passing performance that racked up
41 yards, including a 9-yard pass to Jordan Jefferson.
“He’s a special athlete,” Marabito said. “He was at the top of his game, and he ran well and threw the ball well. He stayed relaxed in there and he took off when he wanted to.
“Everybody did a great job, from the line to the receivers to our backs.”
Siciliano credited his offensive line with his big numbers, which allowed him to run when he wanted to, not when he had to.
“I stayed in the pocket, and when I found a hole I took it,” he said. “My line blocked really well, and I just let my feet do the rest.”
Even when Siciliano left the game with an injury, the Trojans assault continued.
Backup quarterback Gervon Simon took a quarterback draw 77 yards for the final touchdown. The Trojans’ backup offense also got solid performances from Javon Vukovich and Gerald Jones, who had a 45-yard run called back on a pair of holding penalties.
As little trouble as Siciliano and the Trojans were having gaining yards, that’s how much trouble the Marauders had gaining them. It was not until Stefan Beard gained 8 yards on a run with about six minutes left in the third quarter that Bishop Guilfoyle’s offense finally gained positive yardage for the game. Two plays later, Beard had a 9-yard run, which was the Marauders’ longest play from scrimmage of the game, to give them the second of their two first downs of the game, and the only one not earned by a penalty.
The Marauders finished with 2 yards total offense and one pass completion.
Defensively, the Trojans got an interception from Daniel McKinley and a fumble recovery from Isaiah Haselrig.
“We’ve been banged up, but our defense has been playing strong all year,” Marabito said. “That was just a great defensive effort.”
For the Marauders, one game is left to try to improve their own playoff chances.
“They were a better football team,” said Marauders coach Marty Georigiana. “We just have to regroup and be ready to play next week. Let’s forget about this one and get ready to go.”
