Big Reds play big, advance

In the 38-19 win, West Middlesex turned the tables on Kennedy.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Two down and one more to go.
That is the situation facing West Middlesex as the Big Reds defeated Kennedy Catholic 38-19 to advance to the District 10 Class A championship game.
Kennedy entered the tournament as the defending district champion, the Golden Eagles owning a 25-6 victory over the Big Reds in last year's semifinals.
"Obviously we are very excited to have the opportunity to continue and play next week for the district championship," West Middlesex coach Brian Hoffman said.
In recording the win, the Big Reds (11-0) had good efforts from a number of players, but none bigger than the effort turned in by senior quarterback/defensive back Kolten Hoffman.
The Middlesex senior rushed for 48 yards and a pair of scores, passed for another 141 yards, picked off a pair of passes returning one for a score, recovered a fumble and blocked a pair of conversion attempts.
"Kolten Hoffman made a big play with an interception to start the game and that really got us rolling," the West Middlesex coach said of Kolten Hoffman's 28-yard interception return for a score. "Steve Andrusky made a big run and found the end zone in the second quarter, and Chachi Ruffo came up with some big punts for us when we needed them.
"Defensively, Cody Kilar was all over the place and Tyler Gilmore was in the backfield on a lot of plays. There were a number of guys who stepped up and played big in this football game."
The Big Reds will face Sharpsville next Friday for the district crown. Sharpsville was a 20-17 double-overtime winner over previously unbeaten Mercyhurst Prep in the other semifinal matchup.
"We know they [Sharpsville] are a solid program with a great coaching staff over there," Hoffman said. "They are a great group of kids and we are looking forward to the challenge of playing them for the district title. Our preparation will start tomorrow [Saturday], but right now, we are just happy with the win and to be in this situation."
Gaining momentum
With West Middlesex clinging to a 23-19 lead entering the fourth period, the Big Reds got the break that would shift the momentum back to their side of the ball.
Forced into a punting situation, the Middlesex punt was handled by Kennedy return man Ross Gargano, who fumbled the ball while fighting for extra yardage, and when Gargano received a big hit while fighting for extra yardage. Five plays later, West Middlesex scored the clinching touchdown on Kolten Hoffman's 9-yard run.
"That was gut check time for us at that part of the game," Hoffman said. "I felt like Kennedy was gaining some momentum, especially on the offensive end and we really needed to step up at that point in the game. As I said before, there were guys out there tonight making plays when we needed them and as coaches, you can't ask any more from your players than that."
Kennedy coach Mike Donato said turnovers and penalties were a thorn in the side of his squad most of the this season.
"It seems that we can't stand prosperity, so we dig ourselves a hole and tonight, we couldn't get out it," he said. "It was just a tough, difficult loss for us to end a difficult week. At times, we showed how well we could play and at other times, we just didn't play well at all. It is all about blocking and tackling, and tonight we didn't block or tackle."
For Kennedy, the loss brought down the curtain on a pair of outstanding athletes as Gargano and Lee Plotts, both of who eclipsed the 4,000-yard mark for their careers played their final games for the Golden Eagles. Gargano led all rushers in the game with 142 yards, while Plotts was held in check by the Big Red defense, showing 65 yards for his efforts.