Jesse Hoover has had a great season at wide receiver for the Curwensville Golden Tide, but it was his return ability that stood out on this night as Curwensville overpowered the Ridgway Elkers on Parents’ Night in a 47-6 victory.
“Jesse is a tremendous athlete,” says Head Coach Andy Evanko of his wide receiver who gained 170 all-purpose yards in the game.
The basic fundamentals of football were on display as both Ridgway and Curwensville ran for over 200 yards each. Curwensville had four different running backs score touchdowns in the game, while the defense forced five Ridgway turnovers. Passing in the game was hard to come by as both teams were a combined 6 of 21 passing. Ridgway’s only completion of the night was to Ben Jacques, but quarterback Joe Renaud threw three interceptions compared to Curwensville’s David Kalgren who only threw one. However, despite the great play of the defense, Coach Evanko says it was difficult to keep momentum in the game with the amount of early scoring.
“It was hard to get into a rhythm when you score quickly,” says Evanko. “When you score that many points, you can’t complain.”
Curwensville got the scoring started early and in a hurry as on their first play from scrimmage Ben McGary sprinted 51 yards for the touchdown. The extra point gave the Tide an early 7-0 lead.
Both Ridgway and Curwensville traded interceptions on the next two possessions, but Curwensville stood tall on the Elkers’ third possession, as David Kalgren intercepted Renaud and returned the ball 55 yards for the second score of the game, with the point after giving Curwensville the 14-0 lead. A one-yard run by Jed Greslick late in the first quarter gave the increased the lead to 20 heading to the second quarter.
It was then that Jesse Hoover provided the excitement for the home team. After a Ridgway three-and-out, the Elkers were forced to punt. At first, Hoover did not elect to recover, but after picking the ball off the grass, scampered down the sideline for a 76 yard touchdown return. The two point conversion gave the Golden Tide a 28-0 lead at halftime.
Hoover provided more excitement right at the beginning of the second half as he returned the kickoff 85 yards for his second special teams score in the game. The extra point was wide, leaving the Tide with a 34-0 lead. Nick Opaliski got his only score in the game on Curwensville’s third possession of the second half on a 36 yard run right through the Ridgway secondary.
Curwensville’s final score came in the fourth quarter on a one yard, Brian Lezzer run, capping off a 13 play, 76 yard drive that consumed over eight minutes. Ridgway did manage to score late in the game on a 65 yard run, which was the only big play given up by the Curwensville defense all game.
Ridgway (2-4) is hoping to get back on track next week as they host the Kane Wolves, while Curwensville (5-1) closes out their home schedule against the Elk County Catholic Crusaders.
GAME STATISTICS
RIDGWAY CURWENSVILLE
First Downs 8 10
Rush Yards 219 228
Pass Yards 14 51
Total Yards 233 279
Comp/Att/TD/INT 1/12/0/3 5/9/0/1
Fumbles/Lost 4/2 3/1
Penalties/Yards 1/5 4/10
Time of Possession 26:08 20:52
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: RIDGWAY- Eshbach-14 carries, 75 yards; Pontious-9 carries, 43 yards
CURWENSVILLE- McGary-5 carries, 65 yards, TD; Greslick-10 carries, 22 yards, TD; Lezzer-35 yards, 6 carries, 35 yards, TD; Opaliski-2 carries, 47 yards, TD
PASSING: RIDGWAY- Renaud-1/12, 14 yards, 3 INT
CURWENSVILLE- Kalgren-5/9, 51 yards, INT
RECEIVING: RIDGWAY- Jacques-1 catch, 14 yards
CURWENSVILLE- Dixon-1 catch, 32 yards; Greslick-2 catches, 11 yards; Hoover-1 catch, 9 yards
BOX SCORE
1st Quarter
Golden Tide-51 yard run by McGary (PAT good)
Golden Tide-55 yard interception return by Kalgren (PAT good)
Golden Tide-1 yard run by Greslick (PAT no good)
2nd Quarter
Golden Tide-76 yard punt return by Hoover (2 pt. conversion good)
3rd Quarter
Golden Tide-85 yard kickoff return by Hoover (PAT no good)
Golden Tide-36 yard run by Opaliski (PAT good)
4th Quarter
Golden Tide-1 yard run by Lezzer (2 pt. conversion no good)
Elkers-65 yard run by Dragone (2 pt. conversion no good)