Backup QB completes comeback for Raiders

August 27, 2016 at 12:08a.m.

By DAN HINER

Blitz Live | August 26, 2016

Podcast Episode

High school football has kicked off in the Valley. Relive week one as Corey Crisan, Greg Gulas, and Sean Ferguson provide insight into the week's …

NORTH LIMA

When South Range’s season opener kicked off against McDonald, Raiders backup quarterback Aniello Buzzacco thought he was going to get some playing time, but he didn’t think he was going to score the game-winning touchdown.

And he didn’t think he was going to score the final two touchdowns in South Range’s 24-14 win over the Blue Devils.

Facing a fourth-and-goal late in the fourth quarter, Buzzacco took the snap and pushed through the defensive line for a 2-yard touchdown and a 15-14 lead.

He was forced to play after starter Seth Morrow came up limping after getting knocked down on a pass attempt in the third quarter.

“I was 100-percent confident in myself and in our team. I knew if we executed our plays we could score some touchdowns and win the game,” Buzzacco said.

Morrow was able to return to the game in the fourth quarter, and came up with South Range’s only interception of the game when McDonald tried to drive down the field to retake the lead.

During the Raiders’ ensuing possession, Buzzacco converted another big fourth-and-goal when he found A.J. Baytos in the right corner of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown pass to put the game out of reach.

South Range head coach Dan Yeagley said he planned on playing both quarterbacks during the game and he had confidence both would be able to run the offense.

“We’re blessed — we have two really good quarterbacks. Obviously Seth is a really good quarterback and Aniello Buzzacco is also a really, really good quarterback,” Yeagley said. “Both of them have varsity experience, both of them have varsity time and both of them are also very good defensive players.”

Buzzacco was forced to play last season after Morrow went down with an injury. He said the playing time he got in 2015 helped with his confidence heading into the season.

“I kind of knew what Friday nights are like when you’re throwing the ball or running,” Buzzacco said. “I expect how to take hits, be smart, when to get the extra yards and not get the extra yards. It was a good experience.”

Buzzacco was 1 of 3 for eight yards and the TD to Baytos. He also contributed 21 yards on the ground.

Morrow went 5 of 8 for 46 yards and added 66 rushing yards, including a score.

South Range running back Nathan Daniszewski made his presence felt in the run game. Daniszewski carried the ball 19 times for 97 yards, with most of the yards coming between the tackles.

McDonald running back Mike Zarbaugh was the centerpiece of the Blue Devils’ offense throughout the game. Zarbaugh had 40 yards on the ground and two TDs, one rushing and another on a 13-yard touchdown reception.

South Range fought back from a 14-3 hole at the start of the fourth quarter. The Raiders responded with 21 unanswered points. Yeagley said the key to the Raiders’ turnaround in the closing minutes of the game came down to the players ability to take care of the football and continuing to chip away at the McDonald lead.

“They were in control the whole first half. We didn’t turn the ball over and things were going our way in the second half,” he said. “I’m very proud of our kids for not giving up and continuing to fight.”