Charleroi overwhelmed by McGuffey, 40-6

By DEAN DELLAMALVA JR.

MVI Sports

McGuffey head coach Ed Dalton wondered how his team would respond after one of its biggest wins in recent history.

The Highlanders’ defense stifled host Charleroi and two big special teams plays sparked McGuffey (2-0, 2-0) to a 40-6 win Friday at Myron Pottios Stadium.

A bad snap on a punt resulted in a first quarter touchdown for Rocco Falsok, who recovered the ball in the end zone. Later, a pass on a fake punt was intercepted by Philip McCuen, setting up a second touchdown.

“We were slow the first seven minutes that’s for sure,” Dalton said. “After the first special teams mistake, I think we settled down on the option. Sometimes it takes us a couple minutes to get our blocking patterns down.”

The Cougars’ defense played well early on, halting McGuffey on their its two possessions. 

“We can’t give teams like (McGuffey) gifts like we gave them tonight,” Cougars coach Brady Barbero said. “McGuffey is a solid team, they are physical and tough, have a good defense and they played their hearts out.”

The Highlanders got their ground game working in the second quarter. Kyle Brookman capped the first offensive scoring drive with a 1-yard run giving McGuffey a 14-0 lead. 

Charleroi freshman quarterback Gianni Pellegrini was intercepted on the next Cougars possession by Eric Donnelly, and a personal foul penalty set up the Highlanders at the Charleroi 13.

Three plays later, Falsok found Brookman in the end zone for a touchdown and a 21-0 advantage.

After forcing a punt, McGuffey went on a six-play, 51-yard drive. Jeremiah Johnson scored from 1 yard out, but the extra point was blocked by Darius Cooper. 

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