W. PENNSYLVANIA Sharon finds spark after flat quarter

Sophomore Kelvin Newby saw time for an injured player and responded by rushing for a pair of scores.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HERMITAGE -- Sharon football coach Bo Reichart didn't seem too concerned during the scoreless first quarter of Friday's district matchup with Girard. After all, he watched his troops play in similar fashion all season long.
In the second quarter, the Tigers roared to a 19-0 halftime lead in cruising to a 39-6 win over the Yellow Jackets in the opening round of the District 10-AA playoffs.
The Sharon win -- coupled with Slippery Rock's victory over Cambridge Springs -- sets up an all-MCAC district final next weekend.
Came out flat
"We did come out flat, and give Girard credit because they have a great offense," Reichart said. "Although we have a veteran group as far as being in the playoffs are concerned, I think we just needed to feel things out a little bit.
"All year long, we started out slow, but once we got things going, we were able to pick it up," Reichart said.
Pick it up they did as the Tigers scored three times in less than seven minutes.
Marcus Smith scored his first of two touchdowns on a 7-yard run.
T.J. Burke tossed a pair of touchdown passes, one of 55 yards to Dan Tomko. The other was a 7-yard connection to Leroy Taylor.
Smith finished with 62 yards on 17 carries while Burke completed six of 10 attempts for 109 yards.
"We were able to mix things up once we got going," Reichart said. "When you are able to do that, they can't sit on one thing to try and stop you."
Smith nursed a leg injury in the second half after having more than his share of problems hanging onto the ball. Reichart went to Kelvin Newby, and the sophomore responded by rushing for 53 yards on 13 carries good for a pair of scores.
"He has been in and out," said Reichart of Newby. "He got hurt at the beginning of the year, but he battled his way back."
Girard's score
Girard scored its only points after recovering a Tigers' fumble at the Sharon 23. However, that is when Newby and Smith both got into the act as Newby sandwiched his pair of six-pointers around one by Smith.
In the first quarter, Girard controlled the action as the Jackets ran off 15 offensive plays to just six for the Tigers.
"A couple big penalties just killed us," Girard coach Mina George said. "We stopped them twice, but we gave them a first down on a penalty. They are a good football team, but when that happens, what are you going to do?"
Following the Girard domination during the first period, Reichart and his staff made a few defensive changes.
"We knew coming in that they weren't going to pass very much, and if they did, they would be very little so we put nine guys in the box," Reichart said. "We rely on our defense and it has been strong for us all year long.
"When they took over, our offense got things going and scored 39 points."