Gladiators ready for Warriors after crushing Brownsville

By Dean Dellamalva Jr.

MVI Sports

It was easy to tell where South Allegheny’s focus was after smashing Brownsville, 63-16, in Interstate Conference play Friday. 

As the Gladiators broke their postgame huddle, they shouted, “Beat EF!” in unison. 

The win against the Falcons sets up a conference showdown with the Warriors next week. 

“These kids have known each other — some even hang out with each other — for a long time,” SA head coach Frank Cortazzo III said. “It’s going to be a great matchup. Coach (Mike) Collodi has a great team over there; they have some great players.”

Senior running back Antonio Epps was crowned homecoming king and then dashed the Falcons for 149 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries. He also returned two punts for touchdowns — one for 66 yards the other for 65 yards — adding four touchdowns to his school record total.

“It was definitely a fun day for sure; the homecoming experience is one I’ll never forget,” Epps said. “I was just trying to take it all in and try to enjoy it as much as possible. To be able to come out and get a huge team win, it was great and I loved it all.”

The Gladiators (2-2, 2-2) started fast and put together a complete game a week after a dominating performance against Yough. 

A change in mentality helped lead the turnaround.

“Each week, we are building and getting stronger,” Cortazzo said. “We are taking a more business-like approach. The kids have bought into it. We come in on Mondays in full gear ready to go.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Saturday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.