Friday October 10, Point Stadium - Johnstown, PA
Bishop McCort 38 (7-0), Johnstown 7 (4-3),
 

Bishop McCort's line play on both sides of the ball made the difference in the Crushers' 38-7 victory over Johnstown High.  McCort needed only six plays on its opening drive to cover 74 yards with Isa Wadley scoring on a 41 yard run.  Dane Domonkos point after made it 7-0 with just 3:12 elapsed in the game.

"I was really pleased with the intensity of the offensive and defensive lines from the start of the football game," said head coach Ken Salem.  "I thought we opened up some excellent lanes.  I thought we were getting some great blocks out of our backfield and receiver positions, and when you give Eric Lowry and Isa Wadley seams, they are going to make plays."

The Crushers picked up another touchdown less than a minute later when Josh Seidel picked off a pass and carried it 27 yards into the endzone.  Wadley scored his second TD of the game with a 12 yard run which capped off a 35 yard drive after a short Johnstown punt.  The Trojans went three and out on their next possession and McCort started its next drive at their own 36.  The Crushers needed only three plays to score again with Lowry picking up all of the yardage with a 21 yard run and another of 43 yards for the touchdown.

Johnstown scored its only touchdown of the with a 70 yard drive on seven plays.  Quarterback John Siciliano connected with Quadir Christian on a 38 yard pass play.  Jon Maurizio kicked the extra point to make the score 27-7 with 7:03 remaining in the first half.  Lowry intercepted a pass and took it 78 yards for the score with no time left on the clock.  Wadley ran for the two point conversion to set the halftime score at 35-7.

The only score of the second half was a 30 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter by Domonkos, his sixth of the season.

"I am absolutely proud of the effort of our team between the lines in the first half," said Salem.  "We have been on these kids to play more complete football and not to take mental breaks and I thought we did an outstanding job of coming out and being physical up front and making plays.  I am really proud of the coaches and the kids.  We're getting better.  We're still not playing our best football yet, but that's what makes me more excited.  I think we have room to improve, but we are getting better each week and it's great to go 3-0 against the city rivals.

Salem continued to praise his offensive line consisting of Mike Bako, Steve Belskey, George Bealonis, Nick Bambino, Shane Rugg and Anthony Gibbs.  "Our offensive line is growing up.  Most of them are juniors.  They are working really hard up front.  We are doing a great job of picking up inside blitzes.  Johnstown came after us.  They packed the box, but we were still able to control the line and that's where the game is won and lost.  I'm really pleased with their effort and those kids want to continue to improve.

When asked about the Crushers' interceptions, Coach Salem complimented his coaching staff.  "The defensive coaches decided not to blitz against Johnstown's spread formation which put Seidel in position to make that play.  The coaches did a great job of scouting Johnstown.  They are a very tough team to defend this year because the quarterback is such an athlete and they have a bunch of guys with speed.  I was really pleased with our coaches and how well we executed the game plan.