Sometimes, the best quality comes from quantity.
By the time that Tucker Kushner had crossed the goal line with the go-ahead touchdown late in Saturday’s District 6 Class AA quarterfinal at Trojan Stadium on the campus of Greater Johnstown High School, the Westmont Hilltop Hilltoppers had run 37 snaps in the second half compared to five by the West Shamokin Wolves.
The ball-control style helped fourth-seeded Westmont Hilltop snag a 16-12 win, and a date with top-seeded Ligonier Valley next week in a 6-AA semifinal.
Kushner, who rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries, was the Hilltoppers’ primary option in the second half, punishing the Wolves with 26 of those carries in the second half.
“Right side was getting some cave-ins and some good push,” Westmont Hilltop coach Pat Barron said. “We were having a little trouble on the left. We go with the hot hand, and Tucker was hot. While he was hot, Camden (Moors) was blocking hard, the line was digging in. I think the difference in the game was pad level in the second half.”
All of those factors led to the program’s first postseason win in 16 seasons.
“You want to get that stigma off,” Barron said. “The fans were hungry for a win. They really pushed us in for that final score. Just a credit to the community, the kids and the coaches. They did a fantastic job this week.”
Westmont Hilltop held the ball for 19 minutes and 31 seconds in the second half, but found itself behind soon after Brandon Kaesler booted a 28-yard field goal to put the Hilltoppers ahead 9-6.
West Shamokin’s Aaron Gray returned the ensuing kickoff to the Westmont Hilltop 36, where the two-play drive was capped off by a 32-yard dash by Jacob Szul. The West Shamokin conversion pass failed, leaving the score at 12-9.
“They had that many plays (in the second half),” West Shamokin coach Jon McCullough said. “We also scored in two plays. I don’t care if we score in one, or 15 … Whatever it takes.”
West Shamokin then warded off a 10-play drive that moved the ball to the Wolves’ 16 when Kaesler pushed a 33-yard field-goal attempt wide to the left. A three-and-out by West Shamokin gave possession back to the Hilltoppers, who steadily marched 57 yards in 10 plays with Kushner plowing in from the 4 to push Westmont Hilltop ahead to stay.
West Shamokin’s last-gasp drive ended with 19 seconds remaining when Gunnar Hockenberry picked off a Devin Fairman pass, one snap after Ian Valente broke up a deep pass intended for Szul.
“We do what we do,” Barron said. “Credit the defense for the big stand at the end. It’s about staying calm in pressure situations. Our kids rose above, and we’re moving on to a very tough opponent next week.”
The Hilltoppers, who also saw Moors rush for 80 yards on 21 carries, methodically marched down the field on their opening drive; scoring when Kushner punched the ball in from 3 yards away. Kaesler’s point-after kick was blocked, leaving the Hilltoppers’ lead at 6-0.
Following two drives that ended in punts, West Shamokin finally broke through when a four-play, 45-yard drive was finished off by Szul’s 4-yard burst.
A 35-yard scamper by Fairman on the opening play of the possession gave the Wolves a promising start on the short-field journey. Szul’s point-after try was blocked, keeping the score knotted at 6.
Two go-ahead attempts by the Hilltoppers were for naught as their first drive was halted by an interception by Szul with 3:31 left in the second quarter.
After forcing a three-and-out, Westmont Hilltop took the ball to the West Shamokin 18 before the clock ran out in the first half.
Fairman rushed for 79 yards to lead the Wolves, who ran 34 total plays compared to 74 by Westmont Hilltop.
“My concern was that we were getting worn down out there,” McCullough said. “That may have happened at the end.”
Shawn Curtis is the sports editor for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at (814) 532-5085. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnCurtis430.?
Photo by Tami Knopsnyder
