PR falls to two time defending Ohio state champ Saint Edward's in close game. They Held lead in most of second half before Saint Edward's came back. They had 4 opportunities including off of three turnovers to try to score and win the game but couldn't come up. PR's kicker missed a XP in the first half and that ended up being the Kryptonite as this game could've went to overtime if he had made that. Also they had a 4th down at the ten and instead of kicking a chip shot which would've still had them ahead when Saint Ed's scored again they went for it and didn't get it, which I think has to do with coach K not trusting the kicker to be able to make it. Kicking game could be a issue for PR this year. PR looked very good on offense however, had long touchdown passes and good drives. Saint Edwards came out in the second half with defensive adjustments however, as PR was stopped 4 times from scoring and also gave up 4 sacks (I think they only had 4 or 5 all year last year). PR defiantly has reloaded on skill potions that graduated from last year and line did a good job for the most part. I think in the long run in the 90 degree heat Saint Edwards having more depth and not many if at all guys playing both ways was the big difference maker, PR guys looked gassed by the very end. Will be interesting to see what this year's team does in the WPIAL now. Overall however tough weekend for out of state games in the WPIAL.
Saint Edwards 28 Pine Richland 27
- Thread starter JACKY6996
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Lots of reasons you could point to for that loss, but PR offense couldn't punch it in on 6 straight possessions, including one at the 7 yard line. Coach K must have zero faith in his kicking game to not try a field goal in that case.
In the second half, the defense played great, but got completely worn out and had no lift from the offense converting. Also, it looked like at least 7 or 8 kids are two way players. They looked beat. Jurkovec looked good as would be expected, but later in the game, it didn't seem like the WR's were as open as they were earlier, or he just didn't see them. Dropped balls - I counted at least 4 - killed PR too. Up front, the new kid started at Tackle along with two other seniors (Weediman and Trant) and two sophomores (Kristofic and Katic). Hard to really tell, but I think they did ok. Besides Carrigan, the other 4 are 1 way players based on what I could tell.
Defense improved tremendously in the second half. Although in the first half it wasn't horrible - they allowed one TD when they didn't get the punt return team on in time, and then dropped an interception on the same drive. They looked solid and the play makers seemed to be at safety where the Falcone kid plays (also a stud WR) and the Jochem boy, who dropped the first INT, then had a spectacular pick on a roll out. Both had several key tackles on breakouts.
Overall, I think the defense will continue to gel, but they have to find a way to run the ball with Jurkovec carrying the load. Should be an interesting year for them.
In the second half, the defense played great, but got completely worn out and had no lift from the offense converting. Also, it looked like at least 7 or 8 kids are two way players. They looked beat. Jurkovec looked good as would be expected, but later in the game, it didn't seem like the WR's were as open as they were earlier, or he just didn't see them. Dropped balls - I counted at least 4 - killed PR too. Up front, the new kid started at Tackle along with two other seniors (Weediman and Trant) and two sophomores (Kristofic and Katic). Hard to really tell, but I think they did ok. Besides Carrigan, the other 4 are 1 way players based on what I could tell.
Defense improved tremendously in the second half. Although in the first half it wasn't horrible - they allowed one TD when they didn't get the punt return team on in time, and then dropped an interception on the same drive. They looked solid and the play makers seemed to be at safety where the Falcone kid plays (also a stud WR) and the Jochem boy, who dropped the first INT, then had a spectacular pick on a roll out. Both had several key tackles on breakouts.
Overall, I think the defense will continue to gel, but they have to find a way to run the ball with Jurkovec carrying the load. Should be an interesting year for them.
Thought it started the way you hoped it might for PR getting an early lead, then if they could hold for just 1 series....trade points. PR is built for that and St. Edward was replacing key skill at Qb, RB. (thought SE's Qb looked pretty good)
But who thought they'd allow a back 200+ yards which will destroy any concept. Game temps-depth per SE's rotation was evidently brutal.
Does Pitt CC have that kind of depth and what happens if they run into D'Andre Swift the way Szelesta tore into them? With the rebuilding, is next year projected to be the Rams year?
But who thought they'd allow a back 200+ yards which will destroy any concept. Game temps-depth per SE's rotation was evidently brutal.
Does Pitt CC have that kind of depth and what happens if they run into D'Andre Swift the way Szelesta tore into them? With the rebuilding, is next year projected to be the Rams year?
The offense needed to score at least 1 more time and had plenty of chances. With the number of 2-way kids, the defense couldn't hold up that last drive. The were physically and emotional dead IMO. But ya, can't give up 200 rushing to anyone.
Offense: 4 Seniors, 5 Juniors, 2 Sophomores
Defense: 4 Seniors, 6 Juniors, 1 Sophomore
I think they should be better next year, but I would hope they aren't thinking that way - got them into trouble with that attitude last year IMO - missed a great opportunity because they thought it would be a "rebuilding" year.
Offense: 4 Seniors, 5 Juniors, 2 Sophomores
Defense: 4 Seniors, 6 Juniors, 1 Sophomore
I think they should be better next year, but I would hope they aren't thinking that way - got them into trouble with that attitude last year IMO - missed a great opportunity because they thought it would be a "rebuilding" year.
I think szelesta tearing it up had to do with the conditions to be honest. Saint Edwards had more depth, and any team will get drained in 92 degree weather, add on top guys going both ways. If this was in the fall on Friday night I don't think he would have put those numbers up. He's a great player no doubt. The last drive they just looked dead like you said. Overall, however, before a lot of the guys got drained the offense picked up right up from last year if you ask me, I think they need to stop running jurkovec as much though and hand it off more, he took some hard hits. Also play calling could've been better, one situation 3rd and 1 and instead of running it they throw a screen which gets stopped for a a few yard loss.
PCC has depth but they have guys like Thorpe and Hinish going both ways. Not sure why they don't just keep Hinish on defense and Thorpe on offense than find someone to take thorpe's spot on defense and Hinish on Offense. I'm sure they can find guys that are good enough over there.
Another thing I noticed which I think effected jurkovec' play was how much pressure he got in the second half. He was running for his life it seemed. I think it had to do with the line being tired.
I don't think we'll see them get tired like this again, unless the conditions are the same which I doubt Friday night. They have a really good team and another opportunity this year. Falcone and cammino are both stud WR along with Crawford out of the backfield and other athletes all around on defense and offense. Hopefully more kids step up during the season so not as many don't have to go both ways.
PCC has depth but they have guys like Thorpe and Hinish going both ways. Not sure why they don't just keep Hinish on defense and Thorpe on offense than find someone to take thorpe's spot on defense and Hinish on Offense. I'm sure they can find guys that are good enough over there.
Another thing I noticed which I think effected jurkovec' play was how much pressure he got in the second half. He was running for his life it seemed. I think it had to do with the line being tired.
I don't think we'll see them get tired like this again, unless the conditions are the same which I doubt Friday night. They have a really good team and another opportunity this year. Falcone and cammino are both stud WR along with Crawford out of the backfield and other athletes all around on defense and offense. Hopefully more kids step up during the season so not as many don't have to go both ways.
Good points new2pa and JACKY. And wow, do they need a mugger in the backfield to take pressure off Qb, someone to blast out a few, soften their Dfront instead of pinning their ears.
Bottom line....good effort in an opener on hostile turf. St. Ed's is like St. Joe's, a lot of people dodge them. Wouldn't want to play PR down-line!
I think the fact that Saint Edwards had more size, depth, less or none kids going both ways, in that weather and then they only win by one point at the very end shows that PR is a top team. I believe we said on the other thread but I defiantly thought this game would show anyone who still doesn't believe PR is a top team in the state would show them otherwise. Getting the win would've been nice, however the way they played absolutely shows what kind of team they are. PR will be loaded next year for the rematch at home.
Speaking of the running back situation, they got some pretty good backs in Meckler and Crawford, but yeah I defiantly agree. I think that's what they were using Jurkovec for, and he was running some dudes over. However he took a lot of hard hits and it was affecting his play and the offense in the second half. Also he was always carrying the ball most of the time, so saint edwards eventually just zeroed in on him. They need to avoid that and be able to pick up those easy short yardage situations or run the ball in general with a reliable back. Can't win a title being one dimensional. A lot of young kids on the offense line, perhaps coach K wasn't confident enough with the line being able to get running room.
Speaking of the running back situation, they got some pretty good backs in Meckler and Crawford, but yeah I defiantly agree. I think that's what they were using Jurkovec for, and he was running some dudes over. However he took a lot of hard hits and it was affecting his play and the offense in the second half. Also he was always carrying the ball most of the time, so saint edwards eventually just zeroed in on him. They need to avoid that and be able to pick up those easy short yardage situations or run the ball in general with a reliable back. Can't win a title being one dimensional. A lot of young kids on the offense line, perhaps coach K wasn't confident enough with the line being able to get running room.
Watched the game again on TV. Just a side comment - whoever is their OL coach deserves a lot of credit. PR started 2 seniors with experience, 1 Sophomore (Kristofic) who was a QB last year, 1 Sophomore who I really hadn't heard much about (Katic) and Carrigan, who is big, but too my knowledge had never played OL before, much less in a game against a good team. I've gotta believe that that group will continue to get better - and hopefully the running game will improve.
In addition, I think they need to find another playmaker on the outside. Falcone needs some help - I didn't see one pass thrown too any other outside receiver - and I'm guessing its because they weren't open.
In addition, I think they need to find another playmaker on the outside. Falcone needs some help - I didn't see one pass thrown too any other outside receiver - and I'm guessing its because they weren't open.
I agree. I said the same thing last year, the o line did a good job last year when they only returned two starters. I also saw Dorundo and Scheller get in rewatching it, probably to just give the other guys a break.
For receivers they've got Camino and Defrancis Douglas, crawford out of the backfield, and also Tyler King was catching passes too and had a big 50 yard TD catch. I think they'll be fine with those guys they're all really good, seems like Falcone may be the go to guy however. I think guys not getting open and the offense becoming slower had to do with the conditions. They play a good Mount Lebo team with experience, should be another test for them.
For receivers they've got Camino and Defrancis Douglas, crawford out of the backfield, and also Tyler King was catching passes too and had a big 50 yard TD catch. I think they'll be fine with those guys they're all really good, seems like Falcone may be the go to guy however. I think guys not getting open and the offense becoming slower had to do with the conditions. They play a good Mount Lebo team with experience, should be another test for them.
