Gladiators drop wild shootout to South Park

South Allegheny scored on its first two plays from scrimmage, but couldn’t keep up with the Eagles.

After dominating time of possession a week ago in a 7-0 conference win over Steel Valley, South Park’s next meeting turned into a bit of a track meet, as the Eagles became the first team to down South Allegheny (4-1, 1-1) this season in a 48-38 victory at Gladiator Stadium.

“That was a roller coaster ride,” said second-year South Park head coach Brian Abbey. “We didn’t like to get the start we did defensively. We came out strong on offense and didn’t play perfect ball early, but our guys stuck with it. We have a veteran group and ultimately it was a good result for us.”

The hot start offensively for the Eagles (4-1, 2-0) was apparent. They marched down the field on the game’s opening drive, which was capped by the first of three Robert Lenzi rushing touchdowns as the quarterback took an option play 36 yards to the house.

It didn’t take long for the Gladiators to respond and build on the response. South Allegheny scored on its first offensive play, an 85-yard strike on a go ball to Drew Cook from signal caller Ryan Cortes, who’s amongst the WPIAL’s passing leaders this season.

After the ensuing kickoff, South Allegheny recovered a fumble and scored again on its second offensive play. Cortes hit Tyreeke Chatman for a 25-yard touchdown, making it 14-7 with the point after.

“We kind of expected a big start with big plays,” said Gladiators head coach Brian Hanson. “(After that) credit to (South Park’s) defensive line. Those twins and the other guy played tough.”

It was obvious. From there, South Park scored 41 of the game’s next 49 points, as the Eagles took a 28-22 lead to the break and at one point led 48-22.

The early barrage didn’t stop with South Allegheny up 14-7. The Eagles scored with 7:59 to go in the first on a one-yard run by Lenzi, drawing even and finishing a run of 28 points in the game’s first 4:01.

Eric Doerue scored on runs of 10 and two yards for the next two scores before Camden Lewis, who was named South Allegheny’s homecoming king prior to the game, scored on a 4-yard rush and then blocked a punt after a high snap that went for a safety as it rolled through the end zone.

South Park got a 68-yard receiving touchdown from Kenyan Brown, who had a strong night, from Lenzi as the third quarter’s only score. Brown then ran in from five yards out and Lenzi’s third score on the ground, a 72-yard run, brought it to 48-22.

“(Rob) is one of the most poised guys on our team. He’s been getting stronger each week and we like what he’s able to do,” said Abbey. “We’re built to run the ball, but we know we can play that style of game if we need to and I was very proud of his efforts tonight.”

The Eagles ran it 45 times for 313 yards while Lenzi led the way with 14 rushes for 184 yards and the three scores. Eric Doerue, who became South Park’s career leader in rush attempts on his fifth of 18 carries, ran for 73 and two touchdowns. The rushing attack outgained South Allegheny, 313-144.

“We have tremendous athletes and we’re proud of them, but when you have the line we have, it really helps us,” said Abbey. “Some of those guys have been on the line for four years. The Cunningham brothers, Ian Hanna, Antonio Loukas, Wyatt Markovich, Kaden Lemley… those guys are the identity of our team and they do the dirty work.”

South Allegheny won the passing game, 236-181, thanks to some late yardage. Cortes who was picked twice and threw two touchdowns.

South Allegheny added scores from Chatman on rushes of 18 and 50 yards and two-point conversions on runs by backup QB Malakai Myers to close the gap in the end. Drew Cook also caught six balls for 156 yards and the first quarter score.

It was a good measuring stick for the Gladiators in front of a packed homecoming house for a program off to its best start in nearly 50 yards, still … a measuring stick that Hanson said his team will learn from.

“It’s only really a loss if you walk away and don’t earn something,” said Hanson. “The kids aren’t too down right now. If this was last year, they would be kicking helmets around and doing crazy stuff. We’ve got half a season left and I think if we clean some things up we can be really good down the road.”

Winning the way the Eagles did gives them comfortability, according to Abbey.

“We know where we can be and we know where we’re at,” he said. “This conference is tough so we have to finish strong.”