1-1
|
Past Editions
Knights
Slay Canes
Next Game
@ North Allegheny 9/17
Sign
the Red Hurricane Report Guestbook
View the Red Hurricane
Report Guestbook
So far this year the Hurricanes are following last seasons blue print to a tee. But that is not necessarily good. Tonight the Canes duplicated last years loss to a Norwin team it seems they should have beaten.
With Corey Lemmon playing his first game at quarterback they managed to accumulate over 300 yards offense but four turnovers by the Canes and two big plays by the Knights spelled defeat for New Castle tonight. Norwin pinned the seasons first loss on the Canes again, 27-20.
New Castle took the opening kickoff and moved to midfield before a sack forced the Canes to punt.
The Knights who lost to North Allegheny last week and operate in the run and shoot offense took over at their own 17. Seven plays into the drive the Norwin had a second and 10 at the Cane 33 yard line when senior linebacker Dustin Elliot sacked Norwin QB Jim Cooper for a seven yard loss. After and incomplete pass the Knights were forced to punt.
A nine yard return by John Rosati gave the Canes the ball at their own 15. Two plays later Lemmon fumbled and Norwin recovered at the Cane 22.
The Knights hurt by two penalties were unable to move the ball and turned it over on downs at the Cane 16. Three plays later the Canes were forced to punt.
Norwin QB Cooper also returns punts and returned this one 64 yards for a score with just 17 seconds left in the first period.
The Canes managed only one first down on the ensuing possession and punted back to the Knights.
New Castle’s defense held Norwin on three plays highlighted by a tackle for a loss by 6’3" 205 lb. freshman Alan Billyk and quickly the Canes had the ball back in good field position at their own 42.
A 30 yard pass from Lemmon to Elliot who is the tight end on offense got the Canes in deep at the Norwin 28. However a fumble by Justin Sheldone gave the ball back at the 20.
Once again the defense held and after three plays Norwin punted again.
The Canes took over right at midfield. This time four yards by Lemmon, a 29 yard run by Sheldone and three by Rosati and the Canes had a 2nd and 7 at the 14. A sack for a six yard loss gave New Castle a 3rd and 13. On the next play Lemmon scrambled and tossed the ball towards the endzone however it went into the arms of a Norwin player and the drive ended with 3:15 to play in the half.
Norwin took over at the seven and four plays later were at the three with the help of a sack by the Canes’ Jhamall Payne. Norwin’s punter kicking from his endzone got off only an 24 yard punt and with 1:45 to play before intermission the Hurricanes took over.
Lemmon to Elliot for 17 yards and Lemmon himself for 7 more and the Canes were at the doorstep. After a one yard pass the Canes faced a fourth and goal. Lemmon took it the last two yards and after Pasquale Romano’s PAT the score was tied at 7.
Norwin took the second half kickoff and in five plays, highlighted by a 57 yard pass and run play, punched it into the endzone taking a 14-7 lead with only a minute and a half gone in the half.
John Rosati took the ensuing kickoff at the 15 yard line and broke through the defense and ran to daylight. But, behind the play there was an obvious clip by a Cane and the TD was called back. Instead of seven and a tie New Castle took over at their own 48. The Canes though did not waste any time and marched down the field in seven plays with Sheldone running it in from three yards out for the score. Romano was good again and it was 14-14 at the 6:35 mark of the third.
Norwin moved into Cane territory to the 41 before turning it over on downs on their next possession. While the Canes could manage only one first down on their next series and gave the ball back to the Knights about midfield as the fourth period was beginning. Norwin again couldn’t mount a drive and punted back to the Red Hurricanes.
Taking over at their own 27 they were sitting at their own 45 when Rosati broke loose again. This time breaking in the open with nothing in his way he tripped an fell at he one yard line. A 54 yard run set up Sheldone bulling his way into the endzone and the Canes led for the first time 20-14 with 7:03 left to play. Romano’s PAT was low and outside for his first miss in seven tries so far this year. (Note: For those of you familiar with Taggart Stadium, one of Romano’s earlier kicks this evening at the Ben Franklin end went through the uprights so perfectly and hard that it hit high on the flag pole and nearly bounced straight back to the field) However danger now lurked with only a six point lead.
The Red Hurricane defense held and the Knights got off only a 17 yard punt giving New Castle field position at the Knight 44.
On third and two, however, the Canes fumbled and Norwin recovered at their own 35. With only 3:29 to play the Knights lined up three receivers split wide right. The Canes sent three defenders over to cover. Before the snap the runningback went in motion to the side the receivers were lined up on. The quarterback took the snap and threw to the back that was in motion. With three guys lined up in front of him it looked like the perfect screen pass. It was however the perfect ruse. As the Cane defenders headed through the screen to get to the ball carrier he dropped back and hit one of the receivers that had slipped down the field. Touchdown Knights and Norwin took the lead 21-20 on the PAT.
The Canes ensuing possession got them to the 50 but they turned it over on downs with only 1:35 to play.
Norwin had to run only four play this time to get in the endzone but maybe it was too quickly as there was still 1:13 to play. The Canes charged hard on the PAT and blocked it keeping the Knghts margin at seven points.
The squib kick was handled by an up man and the Canes were hoping for something good to happen beginning at their own 41. New Caste managed one first down and got across midfield but four straight incompletions sealed their fate.
Same as last year 1-1 after two. Lets hope the history continues to repeat as next week the Canes play North Allegheny who the Canes beat twice last year.
Lemmon finished 7 for 11 passing for 100 yards while he rushed for 61.
Rosati rushed for 74 yards and caught a pass for a yard while Sheldone rushed for 62 and caught a pass for 23 yards. Elliot caught seven passes for 76 yards. Andy Fry added 25 yards rushing on six carries while Ralph Calhoun had one carry for four yards.
1999 Schedule
.
Season Statistics
Conference Standings
.
Team Roster