Campbell vs Struthers

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Campbell vs Struthers

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

STRUTHERS

Last year, the Struthers Wildcats used a stingy defense and potent rushing attack to dispose of arch-rival Campbell Memorial in the season opener for both schools.

Almost a year to the day of that victory, the rushing attack and stingy defense (which helped them to a 9-3 overall mark and play-off appearance) — albeit rebuilt — remain just as deadly to the Red Devils.

A.J. Musolino rushed for two touchdowns, Auz Seifert added 91 of his team’s 209 ground yards and the Wildcats’ defense held the Red Devils to just 66 yards — all on the ground — as Struthers defeated Campbell Memorial, 34-8, in an All-American Conference, intra-division clash Thursday at Laddie Fedor Field.

The 86th game in the storied series also marked a return to the sideline for Red Devils head coach Ed Rozum, now in his fourth stint at the school as its head football coach.

It was also the 41st renewal of the Steel-Helmet Trophy (the Wildcats now own a 24-17 advantage) while the win assured Struthers of retaining possession of the rotating trophy.

“We lost quite a few starters on both sides of the ball from last year so to win the season opener, especially against our arch-rival was big as it now sets the tone of the season for us,” tight end Austin Yemma said. “The key was how our offensive line opened holes for our runners all night long and how the defensive line stopped the run and refused to give up any ground.”

The Wildcats scored first as Brett Nemeth raced into the end zone on a 14-yard run at the 1:27 mark of the opening period, giving Struthers a 6-0 advantage after the first 12 minutes of play.

Touchdown runs of 4 and 5 yards by Musolino then staked the Wildcats to a 20-0 halftime advantage.

“A win like this, especially when it comes against your arch-rival, is really a great confidence builder. We were able to run the ball, snuck in a touchdown pass and our defense didn’t give up very many rushing yards so to me, that was the key to our victory,” Cameron Suchora said. “This is one of the biggest rivalries in the Mahoning Valley and we didn’t want to be the team that gave up the trophy.”

The Wildcats (1-0) then made it 27-0 a little over two minutes into the third period when Christian Nemeth found Anthony Clark from 59 yards away, increasing their lead to 34-0 on a 6-yard run by Kashon Whited with 4:53 remaining in the quarter.

“We talked about field position all week and the fact that we couldn’t let Campbell Memorial be a four-down offense. I wasn’t happy about all of the penalties and that is something that we will address in practice as we prepare for the second week of the season,” Wildcats coach Curt Kuntz said.

“I have all the respect in the world for the Red Devils and coach Ed Rozum. He’s great for the kids and the entire community. They will be pleased with what they accomplish this season.”

The Red Devils (0-1) avoided the shutout when Terrell Neely found the end zone from a yard out with 6:57 remaining. Isaiah Williams added the two-point conversion run.

“Physically, they were stronger than us on both sides of the football. We couldn’t get anything established offensively and must now work even harder if we expect to get better,” Rozum said.

The Red Devils failed to register a passing yard while both teams combined for 19 penalties and 202 walk-off yards.

Williams had 31 yards on nine carries for the Red Devils.

Struthers has now won four straight in the series and nine of the last 11 outings.

Campbell Memorial, however, still holds a 45-39-2 overall advantage all-time.