West Scranton at Hazleton

Recap

HAZLETON AREA 40, WEST SCRANTON 0

Sophomore tailback Xavier Heck was instrumental in getting Hazleton Area coach Scott Sacco his first victory as the diminutive back rushed for over 200 yards and three touchdowns, and also contributed a pass interception which he returned for a touchdown as Hazleton defeated West Scranton 40-0 at Harman Geist Field.

West Scranton took the opening kickoff and marched in impressive fashion to the Cougar 29-yard line, getting three first downs on their way. But the Invader drive stalled there on downs, a familiar refrain for Coach Jake Manetti’s team as they moved the ball well in the middle of the field all night long, only to see penalties and mistakes bring the drives to a halt.

After the teams traded punts, Hazleton Area closed out the first quarter on the move. The Cougars went 71 yards on 6 plays, the key play being a 35-yard swing pass from quarterback Freddy Corrado to Heck. Of course, it was Heck who did the honors on the touchdown, carrying the football in from 8 yards out with 11:21 remaining before the half.

On their next possession, facing a 3^rd down and 4 situation from their own 33-yard line, the Invaders’ junior quarterback was intercepted by the ubiquitous Heck, who returned the ball 34 yards for his second touchdown of the night. The second failed extra point of the evening left the score at 12-0 with 9:51 left to play before the intermission.

West Scranton was forced to punt and the Cougars drove the ball to the West Scranton 29-yard line where they lost the ball on downs. As the Invaders attempted to drive quickly as the half approached, DeLuca was once again picked off, this time by Logan Genaro who timed the pass perfectly and raced untouched 53 yards for the touchdown. Gianni Turse’s extra point attempt was on the money, giving Hazleton a commanding 19-0 lead at halftime.

Once again, West Scranton drove the ball deep into Cougar territory in the third quarter. But on 4^th and 7 from the Hazleton 20-yard line, DeLuca was sacked for a 7-yard loss, ending the Invader threat. The Cougars then went 73 yards in 6 plays. Heck notched a 43-yard run on the first play of the drive, which he finished with his third touchdown of the evening, this time from 6 yards away, making the score 26-0 with 4:29 left in the quarter.

West Scranton then drove from their own 5 to the Hazleton 16, much of that coming on a 56-yard pass from DeLuca to senior running back, Cameron Cole. Again, the drive stalled as the Invaders could not complete a pass inside the Cougar 20.

Hazleton Area then covered 84 yards in 3 plays. Heck notched his third rushing touchdown of the evening from 30 yards out, sidestepping an Invader tackler at the 10 on his way to the end zone. Turse’s kick made it 33-0 with 1:25 left in the third frame.

Hazleton’s final touchdown came from Corrado who sneaked over at the 1, finishing off a drive that traversed 56 yards in 6 plays, providing the final score of 40-0.

Hazleton will host undefeated Berwick next weekend while West Scranton will participate in the annual Bell Game against city rival Scranton High School.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER

None

2ND QUARTER

HAZ – Xavier Heck 9-yd run (Kick failed) – Hazleton Area 6-0

HAZ – Heck 39-yd interception return (Run failed) – Hazleton Area 12-0

HAZ – Ashton Karlick 58-yd interception return (Gianni Turse kick) – Hazleton Area 19-0

3RD QUARTER

HAZ – Heck 6-yd run (Turse kick) – Hazleton Area 26-0

HAZ – Heck 30-yd run (Turse kick) – Hazleton Area 33-0

4TH QUARTER

HAZ – Freddy Corrado 1-yd run (Turse kick) – Hazleton Area 40-0