Yough 2-0 after winning at Charleroi

The visitors rallied for a 21-9 victory after trailing 3-0 at halftime.

Some football experts say the most important drives in a football game are the ones right after halftime.

That proved to be true for Yough Friday night in its Week 1 matchup with Charleroi at Myron Pottios Stadium.

After being shut out in the first half, the Cougars of Yough flipped the switch and scored on their first two drives of the second half en route to a 21-9 victory over the Cougars of Charleroi.

“It was a very emotional halftime speech,” Yough coach Ben Hoffer said. “Our coaches got on our guys and we just expected a lot more from them after our season opener (a 41-0 rout of Brentwood). We lit a fire on our guys. We came out strong and to take a lead was huge for us on that very first drive.”

This is the first time Yough has started 2-0 since 2013.

“Any team in any sport wants to get off to a good start,” Hoffer said. “It means a lot for this program. One of my new assistant coaches was a senior on the last team that went 2-0. We haven’t been 3-0 since my sophomore year in 2007. We are trying to build this program, and it has been a good start for us.”

Raidon Kuroda was the catalyst for the visitors, as the senior quarterback rumbled for 176 yards on 24 carries, while adding 89 passing yards and the first two scores for Yough in the second half. Aidan Thornton had 69 rushing yards, while Aidan Shaffer hauled in four catches for 70 yards.

Charleroi (0-2) flexed its defensive muscle in the first half and held a 3-0 lead at intermission. But in the second half, the defense couldn’t get off the field and the offense only managed 27 yards before a long touchdown pass in the final minute.

Charleroi coach Tyler Aeschbacher echoed the same thoughts as he did after the season-opening loss to Monessen last week.

“I love the fight of our guys,” he said. “There is no quit in them. They show a lot of grit and they give me their best effort. The defense was solid in the first half. We just need to be a more consistent football team for all four quarters.”

Yough took a 7-3 lead at the 8:31 mark of the third quarter when Kuroda finished off a seven-play, 77-yard drive with a 2-yard quarterback keeper. Before the score, the 6-foot, 210-pound signal caller broke loose for a 39-yard run.

The home team looked to seize some momentum back on the ensuing kickoff when Noah Pletcher found space and broke loose for a 36yard return to the 43-yard line. However, Charleroi, turned the ball over on downs after gaining just nine yards on four plays.

Yough’s offense was at it again on its next series, marching 82 yards on 12 plays. Kuroda found pay- dirt with a 1-yard rushing score with 20 seconds left in the third quarter. The big play on the drive was a 28-yard completion to Shaffer. Kuroda had 46 rushing yards on the drive.

“Raidon is a tough kid, he is our best player,” Hoffer said. “As he goes, we go. I thought he was good in between the tackles tonight and really pushed the pile. Once he gets downhill, he is hard to tackle. I thought the offensive line was solid for us in the second half, too.”

The visitors extended their lead to 21-3 on a 30-yard scamper to the end zone by Thorton with 5:44 remaining left in regulation. Charleroi bounced back on its final possession as Jackson Keranko hit Braedin Lunger on a slant and the sophomore wideout broke loose for a 63-yard score.

Keranko finished with 125 yards on 10-of-22 passing with a touchdown and two interceptions to Yough’s Jaiden Dixon-Brentzel. Lunger finished with two catches for 70 yards, while Pletcher grabbed five receptions for 46 yards. Yough outgained Charleroi, 355-180.

Charleroi garnered points on its opening drive, taking nearly five minutes off the clock.

A 21-yard pass connection to Pletcher from Keranko on thirdand-eight continued the drive, and a 6-yard run by Connor Luckock picked up another first down on a key third-down play.

After two incomplete passes bogged down the drive at the 16-yard line, Landon Barcus and booted a 33-yard field goal for what proved to be the only points in the first half.

Yough was looking to offer a quick response on its opening possession. Kuroda hooked up with Ryan Sarver for a 14-yard complete on their first third down and then a couple of plays later Kuroda plowed for eight yards on a third-and-four play at the 43yard line.

Kuroda was looking to continue his steady production on the ground, but a fumble halted the drive and was recovered by Charleroi’s Bobby DiPiazza at the 18-yard line.

Three plays later and on the first play of the second stanza, Yough’s defense forced a turnover when Dixon-Brentzel picked off Keranko at the 25-yard line. The visitors would have enjoyed excellent field position, but a personal foul penalty backed then up towards midfield.

“Our defense was tremendous tonight, and that is something that has to be there for us,” Hoffer said. “We have only allowed nine points in our first two games. You are going to win a lot when you do that. But we will watch the film and look to get better for next week. Ringgold will be another tough test.”

Both teams will be at home Friday to continue their non-section schedules against Mon Valley foes. Charleroi entertains Bentworth, while Yough hosts Ringgold.