Kane – In a match up that has been won by Curwensville 7 of the last 9 times, the Kane Wolves had to love tonight\’s 32-0 shut out of the Curwensville Golden Tide.
An improved Golden Tide defense rolled into Paul R. Miller Stadium in Kane, PA undoubtedly stopping another game from ending under the mercy rule. But the Tide\’s offense, that seemed to have a rebirth last week, was no match for the Kane Wolves. They just could not find a groove nor the end zone.
Finding the end zone was not a problem for the Wolves who were extremely quick. Scoring each time they had the ball in their possession, Kane dominated the first half.
First possession – Kane, using their exceptional speed off the line, worked their way to the Tide 49 where it looked like Kane\’s Matt Mix would break away into the end zone. He was stopped by Tide\’s Andrew Starr at the Kane 20 yard line.
But the Tide couldn\’t keep the Wolves out of the end zone on their first possession as the persistent drive sent Dustin Moran in for his first score of the night from the 4 yard line. Zach Anderson kicked the point attempt for a 7-0 lead.
This was Moran\’s 9th rushing TD of the season and the first of 2 for the night.
Second Kane Possession – Curwensville had been forced to punt from their own 14. Fielded by Mike Punk, the return was taken back for a 45 yard TD return. Anderson\’s good kick made the score 14-0 Kane.
Third Kane Possession – Despite Tide\’s Cory Bloom and Nathan Russell stopping big plays for a loss, the Tide were not able to keep the Wolves from sending Moran in for his second touch down of the night. The score would be 20-0 with 0:26 to go in the first quarter.
Fourth Kane Possession – Kane\’s D.J. Horton had picked off David Kalgren for a 45 yard return placing the Wolves within striking distance. Four plays later John Bizzak broke free down the left side, grabbed a pass and went 33 yards for the score. A missed 2 point conversion and the score was 26-0 with about 6 minutes of play left in the half.
Fifth Kane Possession – Kane took over the ball at their own 30 yard line with 2:12 left in first half play. Moran and Anderson worked the ball down field in just 3 plays to the Tide 20 yard line. A Zach Anderson – John Bizzak connection made the score 32-0 with 1:04 left in the half.
After allowing Kane 32 unanswered points in the first half of the game the Tide shut out the Wolves in the 2nd half. While the Wolves continued to shut down any consistent Tide offense, the Tide defense accomplished the same.
David Kalgren intercepted Zach Anderson two times in the second half.
The second of Kalgren\’s interceptions was in the end zone stopping the Wolves from capitalizing on good field position following a short Tide punt from the end zone.
Seemingly dismantled the Tide were unable to capitalize on Anderson\’s key turn overs.
The Tide defense continued to stop the Kane offense the rest of the second half. A Tide goal line stand denied the Wolves the end zone again with just over 5 minutes left in the half.
Taking over the ball near the 3 yard line the Tide were forced to punt just 4 short plays later sending the Tide defense in for one last round of play. They held the Wolves to a field goal attempt which fell wide and right.
Still showing improvement under Coach Andy Evanko, the Tide avoided a mercy rule finish as they handed the Kane Wolves their 6th win in an undefeated season.
Final score: Kane 32 – Curwensville 0
Next week the Tide will travel to Smethport to take on the Wolverines.