- i a a inti i 1 FEE PTW SRE ESTEE * well,” Gorgone added. ered their receivers well. We came The Dallas Post The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, November 17, 1993 8 E] i SportsWeek HB School news HB Calendar HM Classified {HAULING IT IT - Lake-Lehman's Tim Waslick pulled down a long Mounts just too tough By DAVE KONOPKI Sports Writer They entered the game with a plan, confidence and emotions at the ready. But like so many of Dallas High School's opponents this season, the Lake-Lehman football team left the field after Saturday's 21-0 loss to the Mountaineers shaking their heads and wondering what went wrong. Actually it was easy to tell what went wrong. A suffocating Dallas defense created six Black Knight turnovers (three fumbles and three interceptions), scored one touch- down and set up another easy one as Dallas kept possession of the"Old Shoe” trophy. The win raised Dallas’s record to 10-1 and . kept their state playoff hopes alive. * The loss dropped the Black +» Knights to 6-5. Both teams will enter District 2 * Class AA playoffs this weekend. Dallas, ranked number three in the state in the Harrisburg-Pa- .triot News Poll, will travel to ‘Dunmore (ranked number two) * on Friday while Lehman will visit ‘Wyoming Area, the state's top ranked Class AA team. The shutout was Dallas's sev- .enth in 11 games this season and ‘gave them momentum heading . into the playoffs. Despite the loss, the Knights played an inspired “football game, led by a defense “which kept a potent Dallas of- < fense under wraps most of the ‘ game. “I thought we played a pretty good game,” said Lehman head coach Rich Gorgone. “We had two . super drives inside the Dallas 10 f (yard line) but we turned the ball “over. Give Dallas credit, though, “ they made some big plays. “I thought our defense played “We cov- ‘ into the game feeling that if we . didn't make mistakes and turn . the ball over, we would have a ‘ chance at beating them. Obvi- © ously, that didn't happen. We * turned the ball over six times and + we didn’t capitalize on our oppor- , tunities.” "The Mountaineers did, how- - ever, and scored two touchdowns ! in the opening period in a span of 16 seconds. Buddy Rhodes put pass from quarterback over Jared Cooney) in the early stages of last | week's Old Shoe Game. POST PHOTO/RON BARTIZEK | Playoff preview ll Mounts, Knights both in post season By DAVE KONOPKI Sports Writer After weeks of speculation, after dozens of scenarios were played out in the heads of coaches, play- ers, athletic directors, sports writ- ers and high school football fans, the playoff table has been set. And the big boys are coming to dinner. History will be made this week- end as both Dallas and Lake- Lehman take part in the District 2 Class AA playoffs. It will mark the first time the two schools will enter the football post-season in the same year. On Friday night, third-seeded Dallas (10-1) will travel to Gato Stadium in Dunmore to take on the number-two seeded Buck- horns (9-1). Number-four seeded Lake-Lehman (6-5) will travel to Wyoming Area to battle the top- seeded Warriors (10-1). Both kickoffs are set for 7:30 p.m. Dallas will be entering the play- offs for the fourth time during head coach Ted Jackson's nine years with the Mountaineers. Dallas won Eastern Conference titles in 1987 and 1988 and ad- vanced to last year’s EC title game before losing to evenutal PIAA Class AA state champion Valley View, 34-13. This will mark Lehman's first-ever trip to the post season. Lehman's inaugural visit to the playoff party should be a memo- rable one for head coach Rich Gorgone and the Black Knights. They will join the top three Class AA teams in the state, according to the Harrisburg Patriot News Poll. Wyoming Area is ranked first, followed by Dumore and Dallas. The winner of the District 2 tournament, with the exception of Lehman, will earn a berth in the e. POST PHOTO/RON BARTIZEK GAINING GROUND - Mike Pitcavage ran for several long gains, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Mounts. the Mounts on the board with an eight-yard run following a fumble recovery by Matt Willams. Wil- liams wasn't so gratuitous on Lehman's next possession as he picked up a fumble and rambled 11 yards for the score. A two- point conversion and aJeffKunkle PAT gave the Mountaineers a 15- 0 lead. ~The win was another in a string of big wins for Dallas over Wyo- ming Valley Conference Division un opponents. The Mounts posted ‘a perfect 7-0 record in the division ‘while they outscored their foes, 200-10. “I thought we played them (Lake-Lehman) very tough,” said Jackson. “We got a lot of breaks and we took advantage of them. But give Lehman a lot of credit. They did alot of nice things against us. We've been playing well. We dominated Division II in a way not many teams have done before.” Lehman started the second half with an impressive drive, led by sophomore tailback Mike Pitcav- age. But the drive came to a halt when Dallas defensive back Brian Brady picked off a John Oliver pass in the end zone. PIAA Class AA state playoffs. Here's a look at both matchups followed by the weekly predictions. After picking Dallas to beat Lehman by 20 last week (they: beat them by 21), the prognosti- cation record now stands at 17-5 for the season. Dallas at Dunmore As hard as it may be to believe, the possibility of playing the first and second-ranked teams in the state is just what Jackson and the Mountaineers wanted. Dallas could have taken the easy road and gone to the Eastern Confer- ence championships where they would have been the prohibitive favorite to capture their third EC title in seven years. But had they chosen that route, a possible trip to the state playoffs was all but out of the question. Like he has every year his team is faced with this decision, Jackson let the players decide the route of play. “The kids voted to take what- ever way it took to get a shot at states,” said Jackson. “This is definitely not the easy road. But you don't get these chances often in life. I think the kids made a good choice.” Dunmore enters the game with a 9-1 record, their only loss com- ing to North Pocono, 31-20 early in the season. In their eight other games, the Bucks surrendered less than 70 points and they fin- ished as co-champs in the Big 11 with Scranton Prep. On the field, the Bucks are led by senior quarterback Jack Dempsey. The three-year starter has completed 51-0f-87 passes for 562 yards this season and is the team's leading rusher, run- ning 130 times for 704 yards. An outstanding student as well, Dempsey is being recruited by Ivy League schools and has thrown nine touchdown passes and just two interceptions. Dunmore’s offensive line is anchored by the play of senior center Mike Barrett (5-11, 225), considered by many to be one of the best linemen in the Big 11. The Bucks have used as many as seven running backs this season. Senior Pat Coar leads the way with 420 yards and senior Greg left side. : Lehman on radio game. if you go to Dunmore Take I-81 north to Exit 54, Blakely Street. Follow that around and you'll pass a cemetery on the right. At the end of the fence sur- rounding the cemetery, turn right. The school and field are down the road approximately 300 yards on the right. Parking is on the The Lehman /Wyoming Area game will be broadcast on WARD- 1550 AM, with veteran sportscaster and Dallas resident Joe Gries doing the play-by-play. Bob Elias, a Back Mountain resident and former all-state quarterback at Meyers High School and Villanova University will do the color commentary. Jerry Elias will handle the statistics along with “Snoopy,” his self-designed, state-of-the- art computer program in which he enters statistics during the Dallas show they belonged at states By DAVE KONOPKI Sports Writer Don't be surprised if the follow- ing telephone conversation takes place sometime this week. “Hello.” “Mr. Ron Moran?” “Yes.” “Please hold for the President of the United States.” (Pause) “Hello, Ron. This is Bill Clin- ton.” “Yes, Mr. President.” “Ron, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?” “Me do YOU a favor?” “Yes. As you probablay know, I'm in the midst of the biggest battle of my presidency with the boys on the Hill. Despite Al’s fine showing against Ross Perot...(Pause). Yes, Ron, I do believe those are his realears. But like I was saying, despite Al's showing on Larry King Live, it looks as though we're still going to be a few votes short on passing the ‘North American Free Trade Agree- ment. That's where you come in.” “I don’t understand sir.” “Well, it’s pretty simple really. It looks as though passing NAFTA is a nearly impossible mission to accomplish and I understand that when it comes to achieving nearly impossible feats, you're right at the top of the list.” With a 1-0 loss to Springfield- Montco last Saturday afternoon, the curtain has come down on the 1993 season for the Dallas High School field hockey team. But not before the Lady Mounts, under the direction of Moran, captured the District 2 Class AA champion- ship and advanced to the PIAA state quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive season. Before the season began, you " RON MORAN would have had an easier time getting a Teamster to support NAFTA than you would convinc- ing alocal high school field hockey fan that the Lady Mounts would reach those heights. “These girls certainly rose to the occasion,” said Moran, who guided the Mountaineers to a 15- 4 record and who was assisted by Nancy Shaw. “After we got off to an 0-2 start, I never would have believed this was possible. But we've told the girls all year long that if you work hard, anything can happen.” The Lady Mountaineers ad- vanced to the state quarterfinals with a 1-0 win over Wyomissing the Tuesday before their loss to Springfield-Montco. Kelly Janosky's goal off a penalty cor- ner in the first half was all the Lady Mounts would need, thanks to a suffocating defense led by senior goalkeeper Abby Russin. That defense surrendered just seven goals over the last 17 games of the season. i Local Jr. Footballers will play in The Greater Pittston Junior Football Conference will hold its 10th Annual “Kids Helping Kids" Charity Bowl on Sunday, Nov. 21 at the Exeter Panther Complex (behind St. Cecilia's Church) in Exeter. The conference has planned two games which are slated to begin at 12 noon and 2 p.m. The first game will feature the North A (Wyoming Warriors, Duryea Wildcats, West Pittston "Rams, Exeter Panthers, Old Forge Bankers) vs. South B (Swoyersville Sailors, Edwardsville Eagles, Larksville Greenwave, Kingston Huskies, Forty Fort Flyers). The second game will pit the North B (Pittston Panthers, Plains Yankees, Wilkes-Barre Bears) against the South A (Dallas Mini- Mounts, Kingston Township Raid- ers, Lake-Lehman Knights, Ply- Simpson has rushed for less than 200 yards but has scored five touchdowns. Defensively, the Bucks are led by junior linebacker Mike LiBassi, who leads the team in tackles. Mike Barrett, who plays the “SAM” or linebacker position, is second in tackles while defensive tackle Derrick Figone (6-4, 240) is third. Jackson knows his team better come to play - both mentally and physically. “This game is going to be a war,” said Jackson. “Our players are going to have to raise their level of play up a notch. Dunmore is an outstanding team. They “match up with us and they are a very physical team. It's an advan- tage to them that we have to go up there to play.” Last year the Mountaineers traveled to Valley View for the EC title game, and according to Jackson, let the atmosphere get to them. “We have to go up there with a positive attitude,” said Jackson. “Last year I thought we were in- timidated. But I think we're a more mature team this year. The guys are not happy with what happened last year.” The Bucks are under the direc- tion of Jack Henzes, who is in his 23rd year as head coach at Dun- more. The veteran mentor has seen Dallas and has come away impressed. “Dallas is a big, strong, physi- cal team,” said Henzes, who has won seven Big 11 titles, and a state Class A championship in 1989. “Teddy has done a great job. They seem to play as a unit and I think they are an excellent team. My biggest worry is that See PREVIEW, PG 10 A Despite the loss in the quarter finals, Moran was pleased with the play of his team. “I thought our kids oe great game,” said Moran, who coach many of the same playe next spring during the girl's s cer season. “We had our chanc to win, but we came up a lit short. We gave up a little offense to strengthen our defense because they (Springfield-Montco) have outstanding fowards. The opportunity was there for us and it (the loss) obviously hurts. But our team did everything they could and never quit. I'm very proud of them.” Should Clinton decide to use Moran to help sell NAFTA 2 undecided congressmen, it's sure bet Moran will take his hl’ cabinet; a trio of outstanding seniors. Moran will be the first to tell you the Mounts never could have had such a successful season without them. “Our three seniors were great role models,” said Moran of Janosky, Russin and Cindy Maier. . “] always tell our seniors that they have to lead the way. That's ex- actly what they did. They did everything I asked them to do this season. They're very special.” Moran hopes the ion gained during the season will he his players off the field as well. « “I've told kids time after that if you work hard, good things will happen,” said Moran. “The same is true even in the class- room. What you do on the field will carry over into other aspects of your life. I think, or at least’] hope, that one of the most valu- able lessons we taught the girls is that nothing comes easy in life. You have to work hard, whethe it's on the field or in the class- room.” : tourney mouth Indians). The afternoon event will al h feature a snack bar and Chinese Auction. Kingston Township Bek TATE ETI TT pants will include Vince Bura jewicz, Bill Bonnie, Frank Bren- nan, Daryl Cromer, Tim Dickson, Bill Duda, Chrissy Duris, io Ferko, Robert Garringer, Ri Lorah, Charlie Martin, Nic | Ouellete and Eric White. i {4 ¥ i ie A 4 i 7a
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