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Saturday, 04 September 2010 10:38

Written by Mike White

This is a live blog from the Rally at the Wolvarena - four games played at Woodland Hills' stadium in Turtle Creek.

FINAL SCORE: MANATEE 39, WOODLAND HILLS 16

Final stats, notes and thoughts:

*Not that we already didn't know this, but Florida football is pretty darn good. In two games against WPIAL teams, Florida teams outscored WPIAL, 82-23. But I can't say I'm surprised. Florida football is that good. Too much speed and Manatee has some size to go along with it.

* Manatee's standout running back Mike Blakely might have said it best after the game when talking about playing Woodland Hills: "It was a very physical game. Where we're from, a lot of teams try to spread us out. ... Every play [Woodland Hills] hit us, hit us and hit us. We weren't used to that. But we had to show that we had a little toughness in us. On top of that, we had the speed."

* Woodland Hills RB-DB Lafayette Pitts did not play in the second half after injuring his knee late in the first half. Pitts is a Pitt recruit and Woodland Hills coach George Novak said he's not sure of the extent of the injury, but Pitts will have an MRI Tuesday.

* Woodland Hills linebacker Ejuan Price also missed much of the game with an ankle injury, but Novak said he should be OK for next week's game against North Hills.

* Novak said Manatee's defensive front might be the best he's ever seen. He compared it to North Hills' defensive front in 1987, the year the Indians were ranked No. 1 in the country in USA Today.

* The WPIAL finished 1-3 in this event. Central Catholic got the only win over Akron Buchtel.

* Manatee QB Cord Sandberg, only a sophomore, finished 15 of 22 for 329 yards.

* Manatee coach Joe Kinnan said it would've been a much closer game if Lafayette Pitts didn't get hurt.

10:34 p.m. - Manatee coach Joe Kinnan said earlier this summer that Division I colleges are saying Cord Sandberg is one of the top sophomore QBs in the country. I can see why. Sandberg just threw another TD and it's now 39-10. Sandberg, a 6-foot-2 left-hander, has completed 15 of 22 for 329 yards.

10:26 - It's turned into a blowout!!!! Woodland Hills had the WPIAL's back for a while in this game, but now it's turned a little ugly. Woodland Hills QB Jevonte Pitts tackled in end zone for safety. Then Manatee gets another TD pass from sophomore Cord Sandberg. Suddenly, it's 32-10 midway through the fourth quarter.

10:07 p.m. - End of the third quarter and Manatee still leads, 24-10. Manatee ball.

10:00 p.m. - My how this game has changed quickly. Woodland Hills took a 10-9 lead with 10:10 left in the third. All of a sudden, it's Manatee ahead, 24-10. After an INT, Manatee scores on Mike Blakely's 13-yard run. Blakely lined up at quarterback and took the snap.

9:57 p.m. - Another interception thrown by Woodland Hills QB Jevonte Pitts. Manatee now on Woodland Hills 33.

Manatee scores here, Woody High in deep trouble. I say it's over if Manatee punches this one in.

Wow. Mike Blakely is fast for Manatee.

9:55 p.m. - Just received word Lafayette Pitts is done for the night for Woodland Hills. Pitt recruit in street clothes on the sideline, limping some.

9:51 p.m. - Woodland Hills had the ball. And just like that, in two plays, they lost the ball - and the lead.

Jevonte Pitts throws an interception. On the next play Manatee gets a 52-yard touchdown pass to Quenton Bundrage. Bundrage also catches the two-point conversion and it's Manatee on top, 17-10. 5:39 left in the third.

9:47 p.m. -Still no Lafayette Pitts for Woodland Hills

Woodland Hills still ahead. Manatee just went for a 51-yard field goal and Nicolas Tankersley was short with 6:35 left in the third.

9:42 p.m. - And they finally let Blakely touch it (shovel pass) and he makes a big play.

9:40 p.m. - Mike Blakely is definitely a talented running back for Manatee. Ranked among the top 20 running backs in the country. So why doesn't he get the ball more?

Since the first few drives, he's barely touched it.

9:36 p.m. - Woodland Hills leading!!!!!!!

First possession of the second half, Jevonte Pitts hits Devon White for a 54-yard touchdown pass and Sam Scifo kicks the extra point to give Woodland Hills 10-9 lead.

Pitts, in his first game as starting quarterback, has looked pretty good. Nice arm. Throws a good deep ball.

9:31 p.m. - Second-half underway. Interesting development. Near end of first half, Wood. Hills RB Lafayette Pitts left the field limping a little. Pitts, a Pitt recruit, did not start the second half.

9:16 p.m. - Rutgers assistants were here today. Pitt's Cam Saddler was here, too.

In first half, Manatee RB Mike Blakely had little less than 60 yards. Nothing fantastic, but he's good. On other hand, Woody High has done well against him. Woody High come close to hitting a big pass play. Just missed a few times.

9:08 p.m. - Just after Woodland Hills tied it up, it took Manatee only two plays to go back ahead. Sophomore QB Cord Sandberg throws a perfect touch pass about 25 yards and Anthony Lauro turns it into a 54-yard touchdown play. Extra point no good with 27 seconds left in the half.

HALF ENDS: MANATEE 9, WOODLAND HILLS 3

8:56 p.m. - Woodlands Hills has tied it, 3-3. Sam Scifo kicks 28-yard field goal with 1:12 left in the half. Three facemask penalties on Manateeon drive that started at Woodland Hills 12.

8:48 p.m. - Helped by two Manatee facemask penalties, Woodland Hills is on the move. Now at the Manatee 38-yard line.

8:43 p.m. - Woodland Hills' offensive line, pretty much new from last season, is performing well. It's been pretty much an even game so far. Manatee leads, 3-0.

8:33 p.m. - Manatee is on the board. Nicolas Tankersley 37-yard field goal and Hurricanes lead Woodland Hills, 3-0, with 9:40 left in the half.

8:27 p.m. - End of the first quarter and it's 0-0. Manatee just hit a big play, though, and the ball is at Woodland Hills' 27.

8:26 p.m. - Sam Scifo misses a 37-yard field goal for Woodland Hills late in the first quarter. Still 0-0.

8:22 p.m. - Lafayette Pitts runs fake punt 30 yards for Woodland Hills and WH is at the Manatee 20.

8:19 p.m. - For Woodland Hills, Pitt recruit Lafayette Pitts looks just as fast and athletic as anyone on Manatee's team.

8:15 p.m. - OK. Woodland Hills has looked OK. It moved the ball a little on its first possession and now just held Manatee to a 3 and out.

Boy does this Manatee QB Cord Sandberg look like he has a nice future. 6-2, 1186 with a good arm and also runs fairly well. Definite D-1 type.

8:07 p.m. - Manatee looks awfully good. They were breezing through Woodland Hills' defense when star halfback Mike Blakely fumbled and Woody High's Alfonzo Strozier recovered.

Now a big question. Can Woodland Hills move the ball against this terrific Manatee defense? Lot new OLinemen for Wood. Hills.

8:05 p.m. - The Manatee-Woodland Hills game is under way. Manatee looks like it has good size - and very fast. Real suprise, huh?

FINAL SCORE: COCOA, FLA. 43, THOMAS JEFFERSON 7

Cocoa held Thomas Jefferson to 106 total yards, including 9 rushing.

7:14 p.m. - I wonder if Bill Cherpak has ever lost a game this bad? Cocoa scored again, added a two-point conversion, and it's now 43-7.

7:00 p.m. - Well, strike one up for the Sunshine State. Cocoa is running away from Thomas Jefferson. Chevelle Buie 8-yard touchdown run and Cocoa now leads, 35-7, early in the fourth quarter.

Thomas Jefferson has no offense. The Jaguars' only touchown came on interception return. Thomas Jefferson shouldn't be ashamed, though. Coach Bill Cherpak talked earlier in the summer about how good Cocoa was. And it's simple. Just too much speed for TJ. But Cocoa also is well-coached.

10 minutes now left.

For first-half thoughts and highlights, look below. But first, a couple photos.

Central Catholic coach Terry Totten gives a salute to his team after it defeated Akron Buchtel, 35-6.

Central Catholic's Louis Taglianetti, below, answers some questions from the media while standing next to a "champion" trophy from the Rally at the Wolvarena. Taglianetti, by the way, is the brother of Pitt player Andrew Taglianetti, who also played at Central.

Louis Taglianetti blocked two punts for Central against Buchtel.

6:13 p.m. - You knew Cocoa was good. The Tigers have won 25 in a row, you know. They are not an overpowering team with size. After all, they play in class 2A in Florida.

They do have that speed throughout the team. But it's not so much that TJ is getting blitzed by the speed. The Jaguars just haven't played very well and have made some costly mistakes (fumble returned for at touchdown). Yes, Cocoa is better than Thomas Jefferson. That's obvious by the 28-7 score. But the game was deadlocked, 7-7, until the final three minutes when TJ buckled like an old card table.

TJ coach Bill Cherpak had said this is the most rebuilding he has had to do in years. The Jaguars will be in the Class AAA race, but I think they're out of this one.

Cocoa running back Chevelle Buie is headed to Rutgers, and he is obvioulsy good. But not overwhelming. He has 18 yards on 12 carries, for goodness sake. He's rated fairly highly on a national level but no way will he be a running back in college. Too small. He's 5-9, 165 pounds. Maybe a slotback in the future.

6:06 p.m. - Thomas Jefferson is getting handled. It's now 28-7. Cocoa's Benny Taylor just fielded a punt that was tipped and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown.

6:05 p.m. - Let's get caught up. Was busy writing a story for newspaper side. Late in the first half and Cocoa leads Thomas Jefferson, 21-7. It was 7-7 not that long ago. Cocoa just scored when TJ quarterback Ryan Crouse fumbled while trying to run, Grady Redding picked it up and returned it 3 yards for a touchdown.

Caputo update

Just spoke with the mother of West Allegheny star Mike Caputo, who sustained a dislocated left ankle in his team's season opener last night. Cindy Caputo said her son had surgery this morning at Montefiore Hospital.

But there might be good news on this subject: Cindy Caputo said doctors are saying there is a chance her son might be able to play again this season.

"They said there is a good chance he'll be back," Cindy Caputo said. "You know he'll do everything to get back."

FINAL SCORE: CENTRAL CATHOLIC 35, AKRON BUCHTEL 6

Central Catholic broke open a close game late in the third quarter and crushed Akron Buchtel, 35-6.

Thomas Jefferson vs. Cocoa, Fla., at 5 p.m. I thought they might have trouble, getting these games to start on time. But TJ should start on time.

4:09 p.m. - Now I know why I heard so much about Central's freshman RB last year as an eighth grader. He's very good for a freshman.

4:07 p.m. - Massillon is a storied program in Ohio. But Massillon lost last week to Buchtel. Considering that Buchtel trails now by 29 points, what does that say about the state of Massillon?

4:02 p.m. - Central Catholic has turned this into a blowout. The Vikings answered Buchtel's score with a 15-play, 65-yard scoring drive. Freshman Luigi Listan-Brinza capped the march with a 2-yard run.

A freshman? Yes. I heard about Listan-Brinza last year and how he was such a good football and basketball player as an 8th grader. I believe he's from McKees Rocks.

It's a long name, but remember it. You'll probably hearing it a lot more in the future.

After that score, Central Catholic blocked a Buchtel punt and Brandon Farrell recovered in the end zone for a score.

On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Central Catholic intercepted a pass. Next play Anthony Nixon caught a 28-yard TD pass from Perry Hills with eight seconds left in the third. That was three touchdowns in two minutes, 28 seconds.

Damion Jones-Moore then scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter. It is now 35-8, Central Catholic. Blowout city. So the WPIAL will get at least one win here.

3:27 p.m. - Central Catholic fumbled the ball away on its first possession of second half. Two plays later, Buchtel QB Tyler Jones ran 34 yards for a TD. Buchtel failed to convert on a pass for two-point conversion. It's 7-6, Central

Final score from Harrisburg: Bishop McDevitt 23, Gateway 0

Brad Everett reports:

3:52 p.m. - Central Catholic is running away with it. Freshman Luigi Listan-Brinza scored on a 2-yard run to cap a 15-play drive. After the kickoff, Central Catholic blocked a Buchtel punt and Brandon Farrell recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.

After the kickoff, Central Catholic intercepted a pass. On first down, Perry Hills threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Nixon with eight seconds left in the third quarter. Just like that, in a span of two minutes, 28 seconds, Central Catholic scored 21 points and turned this into a blowout. It's now 28-6 at the end of the third quarter.

3:12 p.m. - Judging by what I see in the press box, they take their football pretty seriously at Manatee High School in Florida. There are two spots reserved for "Manatee Radio." Manatee, in case you didn't know, is in Florida. And they're traveling all the way up here to broadcast the game. Wow.

2:55 p.m. - Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri in the house - supporting his alma mater. Check out the T-shirt.

Sunseri was the quarterback of  a state championship team at Central Catholic.

2:44 p.m. - Update from "Sergeant" Everett, who is covering Gateway at Bishop McDevitt (Gateway's offense non-existent):

2:42 p.m. - Buchtel has some beefy linemen, but they aren't tall. Central Catholic's linemen look to be in better shape and better conditioned. That might mean something.

2:37 p.m. - Rally at the Wolvarena director Ken Halloy said Steubenville sold 1,000 tickets presale. Then more of their fans bought tickets here.

Halloy said he would "love" to get 10,000 total here today. He might. get it. Now let's see: 10,000 at 18 dollars a ticket. That's $180,000. Even if expenses are $100,000 like Halloy said, that's a pretty good profit. I think I'd take it.

2:31 p.m. - End of the first quarter and Central Catholic leads, 7-0. I say Central wins this one by at least 14 points. They just look like a better team. Damion Jones-Moore, I say, gets at least 150 yards today.

2:19 p.m. - After Central Catholic blocked a Buchtel punt, Central takes over at the Buchtel 10-yard line. On second down, Damion Jones-Moore runs 10 yards for the touchdown. Kick is good and Central leads, 7-0, with 2:25 left in the first quarter.

2:11 p.m. - Buchtel took the opening kickoff and drove to the Central Catholic 31 before throwing an interception. Now we get to see Central running back Damion Jones-Moore, who ran for more than 1,000 yards last year as a sophomore. Jones-Moore looks a little different this year. It looks like he has put on some weight - and he has a new number. He's now No. 2.

2:03 p.m. - This game is underway. But first some pregame views.

Isn't Central Catholic the Catholic school? Buchtel the public school? Well, every Buchtel player warmed up in a black T-shirt with a message on the back. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but check it out:

Below is Akron Buchtel coach Ricky Powers, talking with Steubenville coach Reno Saccoccia after Steubenville defeated McKeesport. Powers has turned around Buchtel, which was a loser before he took over a few yeras ago. Buchtel is Powers' alma mater. He went on to a nice career at the University of Michigan. Doesn't Powers look like he could still run over a defender or two?

1:54 p.m. -Update from Gateway at Bishop McDevitt, from Brad Everett.

Halftime score -- Bishop McDevitt 13, Gateway 0 - McDevitt scored 10 points in the final 2:27 of the half, including a 10-yard touchdown run by quarterback Matt Johnson, a senior headed to Bowling Green

FINAL: STEUBENVILLE 7, MCKEESPORT 0

1:19 p.m. - Not exactly a great start to the Jim Ward era at McKeesport. Steubenville shuts out McKeesport, 7-0.

McKeesport defense did well, but offense forgot the season started today. McKeesport completed 3 passes for a total of 4 yards.

1:07 p.m. - Interesting call by Steubenville. 2:30 left in the game and it leads, 7-0, but faces a fourth-and-one from its own 40. Steubenville goes for it and gets the first down. Steubenville will win this one.

McKeesport has no offense. Wonder when the last time McKeesport was shut out? Might have to go searching to the record books.

12:54 p.m. - Not only are Steubenville's fans large in numbers, they are loud!!!!!!

12:51 p.m. - This from "Sergeant" Brad Everett of PG, who is covering the Gateway at McDevitt game:

McDevitt leads, 3-0.

After putting together a 15-play drive that ate up 7:16, Bishop McDevitt gets held to a 32-yard field goal. Gateway has done a great job of containing Jameel Poteat, who has five carries for 11 yards. Gateway's Armstead Williams drilled Poteat on one play, knocking Poteat's helmet off in the process.

12:44 p.m. - Steubenville just had a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown called back because of a block in the back.

12:39 p.m. - Steubenville just scored to take a 7-0 lead. And talk about a family affair. Anthony Pierro's 40-yard pass to Blake Carroll set up Steubenville at the McKeesport 6. Two plays later, Pierro's brother, Jo Jo, scored on a 3-yard run. Their father, Joe, is Steubenville's defensive coordinator.

12:35 p.m. This Steubenville team nowhere near as good offensively as the Steubenville team that shut out Woodland Hills in the opener last season.

12:33 p.m. - McKeesport is starting to lose some discipline. On this Steubenville drive, McKeesport has three offsides penalties and one unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

12:32 p.m. - Hate to be the fashion police, but why can't McKeesport's coaches tuck in their Nike coaches shirts? Would look a lot better.

12:29 p.m. - What a terrific weather day for the first Saturday of the season. It's actually a little cool. Feels like an October day.

12:27 p.m. - Third quarter and McKeesport intercepted Steubenville on first possession of second half. McKeesport turned the ball over on downs at the Steubenville 16 with 6:53 left in the third.

Will either of these teams score? Steubenville's offense has been non-existent. McKeesport isn't exactly tearing it up, either.

12:13 p.m. - "Noooooooooo doubt about it." Lanny Frattare in the press box, doing play by play for MSA Sports on this game. Bob "The Workhorse" Orkwis color commentary.

Below, Lanny enters the press box for start of second half.

12:03 p.m. - "Sergeant" Brad Everett is covering the Gateway-Bishop McDevitt game for the Post-Gazette. It's in Harrisburg, and "Sergeant" Everett will give us his impressions later on McD. running back Jameel Poteat, a Pitt recruit.

I've been to McDevitt's field before. It's an interesting place. It sits right behind the school. In the summer, I've seen weeds growing on the field. Here is McDevitt warming up for today's game on the field.

12:02 p.m. - Most interesting first-half statistic Steubenville has minus-5 yards rushing.

McKeesport has 95 yards. It's scoreless at halftime.

Noon - Here is Rally at the Wolvarena director Ken Halloy. Check out the jacket he wore today. But hey, he does live near Columbus.

Halloy is running another event in Steubenville later this month. The feature game is Glenville vs. Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)

11:55 a.m. - I've always heard about Steubenville's great fan following. You can see it here. They've filled their side of the Wolvarena.

Organizers of this event and Woodland Hills coach George Novak said they were hoping to get 10,000 TOTAL for the four games today. It looks like they are well on their way.

11:53 a.m. - Halftime of McKeesport vs. Steubenville and it's scoreless, 0-0. McKeesport still running a lot of triple option offense, similar to what George Smith ran for years before resigning after last season. This is coach Jim Ward's first game.

Late in the second quarter, McKeesport and Steubenville are scoreless in the first game of the Rally at the Wolvarena.

11:45 a.m. But before we get to the live blog at the Wolvarena, first an update on West Allegheny star Mike Caputo, who sustained a dislocated ankle in last night's game at South Park. He was taken from the field on a stretcher and taken to the hospital.

Myself and Don Rebel of MSA Sports had West Allegheny coach Bob Palko on our "Post Gazette High School Football Show" this morning on The Fan (93.7). Caputo's status is a little up in the air still. The ankle (left) was definitely dislocated and Palko set it was reset last night and Caputo is resting comfortable. But Palko said it has not been determined where things go from here.

Palko said Caputo and his family are supposed to meet with doctors today to determine what happens next. He might need surgery. He might be out for the season. Then again, Palko said, that is conjecture.

"We just don't know at this point until we get the doctor's report," Palko said.

Caputo, the Post-Gazette Player of the Year in 2009, was injured in the first half of the game while making a tackle. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season and led the team in tackles.

"He's handling things pretty well," Palko said.

Check out The Fan's web site later today. You can hear the interview with Palko.

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