From Ed Gaydosh
Yep, hard to get a ‘dub’ when you commit 6 turnovers …
Oil City rolled to a 47-14 win over the visiting Chucks in the opening round of the PIAA Class 4A playoffs Friday night. On the night, the Oilers scored 27 points off six Punxsutawney turnovers.
In fact, Oil City forced turnovers on Punxsutawney’s first three possessions – two interceptions and a fumble recovery – and turned those into 14 first-quarter points.
Senior RB Steven Heise scored four times and had two interceptions for the Oilers (10-1), while QB Cole Findlay added three touchdowns while intercepting a pair of passes – one that he returned for a score – and recovering a fumble.
Maddox Hetrick tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass from to Logan Moore (1 of his 11 receptions on the night) on the final play of a 21 play drive that ended the first half … Jordan Rutan scored a second half touchdown to cut the deficit to 34-14 with 10 ½ minutes left, but Oil City recovered the ensuing onside kick.
Maddox Hetrick went 15 of 29 thru the air, for 140 yards and a tuddy and ran for 32 yards on 16 carries; he was sacked five times. Logan Moore put up 121 yards on 11 catches, and Max Presloid added 44 yrds on three grabs, while Jordan Rutan was the Chucks top rusher with 50 yards on 13 carries.
Adam Muth and Sage Burkett each blocked a point-after …
The 14 points is the lowest output all season. Punxsutawney finishes (10-2).
But Punxsy head coach, Brandon Snyder told Explore Sportspa.com, after this season, his program plans on building on the experience … Snyder emphasized that this season was a turning point for his program.
“This is the first district championship in 16 years,” he said. “These seniors have helped us change the program. Now the expectation for the underclassmen has been set. We feel we’re a good football squad. We have a lot of guys coming back. I’m so proud of one through 40 on the roster.”
Oil City will face the WPIAL 4A champion, Aliquippa –a 21-12 victor over McKeesport on Sat– this weekend 11/21 at Slippery Rock, 7pm kickoff.
— EG … sources: D9 and 10 Sports.com, ExploreSportspa.com, the courier express.com, PIAA.org
