Thiel ends losing streak vs. Westminster

The Tomcats snapped an 18-game losing streak to Westminster, 28-0.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Tailback Stephen Minton rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback Darrell Satterfield threw for 133 yards and a score, as the Thiel Tomcats tossed a 28-0 shutout over the Westminster Titans Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
The victory was the first by Thiel (6-2, 4-1 President's Athletic Conference) over Westminster since 1950, and snapped the Tomcats' 18-game losing streak in the series.
"There is no question what this win means to the program," said Thiel coach Jack Leipheimer, a former Sharon High coach. "We came in wanting to control the line of scrimmage and dominate the football game and we were able to do that. Westminster is a good football team, but our kids went out there and played with a lot of heart."
Leipheimer's game plan was simple -- run the football.
"We wanted to establish our own running game and stop their running game," he said. "As it turned out, we were able to do both of those things well."
Dominated the line
Westminster (3-4, 1-2) coach Jerry Schmitt agreed that the Tomcats' domination of the line of scrimmage was a big factor.
"We are normally pretty good against the run, but they [Minton and Tom McEntire] are both very good runners and they have an experienced, veteran offensive line," he said. "They have been here for three or four years and they play very strong. Today they just came out and came right at us and we couldn't defend them."
The Tomcats scored on their first three possessions and four of their first five.
When that happens, it makes it extremely difficult to play catch-up football against a good team.
"We knew they have a very good football team and today, they were very efficient in everything they did," said Schmitt. "They played mistake-free today, and when you are playing a well-coached football that does that, it makes it even more difficult to get something going."
Minton credits blockers
Minton, a freshman, has 755 yards rushing for the season with two games remaining. He was quick to give credit to the Tomcats' offensive line, tight end Josh Haladyna, tackles Nelton Neal (Warren Harding) and Dave Hendricks, guards Rock Davis and Ricky Gable and center Robert Munch.
"Never in a million years did I ever expect to be doing this well coming out of high school," said Minton. "I have to give a lot of credit to the offensive line because without them, it wouldn't be possible. Week in and week out, they are able to get a good push and when that happens, it makes my job easy."
Satterfield completed 12-of-17 passes for 133 yards. His favorite target Brandon Chambers (Farrell) who caught five for 65 yards and the touchdown.
"We wanted to run the ball and we did that the whole game," said Chambers. "I had to block most of the time, but you know, we got the win."
As for his touchdown catch, Chambers said he had been there and done that before.
"The play was similar to the one against Grove City," said Chambers. "Satterfield and I have been staying after practice a little bit working on a couple of plays. The coaches keep telling us that every ball that is up in the air is ours and when he [Satterfield] threw a good ball, I just went up and got it."