MCAC Mercer turns things around, beats Sharon with 2 late TDs

Mercer coach Gary Krenzer reached into his bag of tricks.
MERCER -- After being locked three quarters in a defensive struggle, the Mercer and Sharon High football teams turned the final period into a 21-point offensive show with the Mustangs emerging as comeback winners.
After Sharon struck first for a 7-0 lead, Mercer rallied for two touchdowns -- both keyed by reverse plays -- to come up with a 14-7 triumph in a Mercer County Athletic Conference Class AA battle.
The Tigers (0-4, 0-2) took the lead on Kevin Newby's 1-yard plunge and Adam Listopad's placement with 10:56 remaining. But the Mustangs (2-1, 1-1) struck back on Luke Erdos' 18-yard scoring scamper to cut the lead to 7-6.
Then Mercer scored what proved to be the game-winning TD with 1:32 remaining on Alex Jack's 6-yard dash on a reverse play -- his second outstanding reverse run in the game -- while Erdos ran in for the conversion.
Erdos sparkles on ground
Erdos spearheaded Mercer's offensive attack with 233 yards rushing in 33 attempts. He ran the ball from scrimmage all of but 10 times. Jack added 42 yards in three attempts.
The Mustangs wound up with 274 yards rushing in 42 attempts, but were only 2-for-10 passing for 38 yards. They had 12 first downs.
Sharon's leader was Newby with 106 yards rushing in 32 carries. He accounted for all of the rushing except 1 yard as the Tigers ended with 107 yards in 45 attempts.
Sharon was 5-for-7 passing for 59 yards, and had eight first downs.
Mercer's defensive leader was Travis Bell with eight solo tackles, while Troy Holder added six tackles, including five solo stops; and Jay McNulty five unassisted hits.
Bag of tricks
After Sharon scored, Mercer's first-year coach, Gary Krenzer, said he reached into his bag of tricks for a reverse play that powered the Mustangs' first scoring drive.
"We got a big play on a reverse [by Jack]. We had been running the ball successfully all game. But we went into our bag of tricks and called a reverse, and Alex Jack, our flanker, had a 48-yard run to put the ball on the 18, and then Erdos scored on the next play at the 18."
Erdos spearheaded Mercer's winning drive.
"We got the ball at our 30 with about 4:00 left. We ran the ball every play. Erdos ran nine or 10 times. He carried the ball five successive plays to inside the Sharon 20, and then on the next play Jack ran a reverse for the TD," said Krenzer.
Two threats repulsed
Mercer had two threats repelled in the first half.
"We got inside their 20-yard line twice and they turned us away and we missed two field goals," said Krenzer.
He said Sharon made some offensive changes that helped the Tigers to score first.
"Sharon changed formations and went to an unbalanced formation that we had a difficult time adjusting to. They got about a 70-yard rushing drive going that was powered by their running game," said Krenzer.
And, "They blew us off the ball by giving the ball to their tailback, Newby, about six or seven times."