YATESVILLE — Abington Heights head coach Joe Repshis preaches all three phases of the game. In the Comets’ opener Friday night against Pittston Area, two of those phases paid off.
Colin McCreary hit a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter, and the Comets held Pittston Area scoreless in a 10-0 win to open the 2015 football season on Friday, Sept. 4 at Charley Trippi Stadium in Yatesville.
“It was a complete team effort,” Repshis said. “That’s what we emphasized all offseason. It’s 48 minutes of football. I’m extremely proud of all our players. It’s a hard-fought victory and we’ll get better for next week.”
Four of Pittston Area’s eight drives started inside the 20-yard line on Friday night. And the Patriots struggled to get out of the shadow of their own end zone all game. Abington Heights held Pittston Area to an average starting field position at the 19-yard line.
Through the first three quarters, McCreary was the high light for the Comets. He finished the game with five catches for 35 yards. In the third quarter, however, his foot almost held up as the deciding three points.
The Comets went 57 yards in five minutes to set up Colin McCreary with a 37-yard field goal attempt. McCreary split the uprights on the first try but the play was nullified due to a penalty. He then cashed in from 42 yards to take a 3-0 lead.
“We emphasize all three phases of the game, especially special teams,” Repshis said. “He’s a veteran on this team and with him if we can move the ball we can get a chance to score. It’s a weapon.”
Pittston Area did its best to grind out yardage but couldn’t put a full drive together. The Patriots finished with 201 yards of offense, while the Comets totaled 181.
The Pittston Area running back committee of Carmen Falcone, Kyle Petroski, Eric Petroski and Ryan Davis combined for 149 yards. Kyle Petroski finished the game with 65 yards on nine carries.
Abington Heights looked poised to take a 7-0 lead early when Brandon Hardy returned the opening kickoff 66 yards to the Patriot 23. After seven plays, however, the Comets faced a fourth-and-goal from the 2 and Pittston Area stood tall to force a turnover on downs.
Each team struggled to get the ball moving in the first three quarters. At halftime, the teams combined for just 148 yards and a 0-0 score.
Abington Heights put the game away with three minutes to play in the final quarter. Rheyse Green broke off a 37-yard touchdown run to make the score 10-0. Green finished with 13 carries for 100 yards and a score.
Abington Heights 10, Pittston Area 0
Abington Heights`0`0`3`7`—`10
Pittston Area`0`0`0`0`—`0
Third quarter
AH — Colin McCreary 42 field goal, 2:44
Fourth quarter
AH — Rheyse Green 37 run (McCreary kick), 2:32
Team statistics`AH`PA
First downs`10`11
Rushes-yards`28-109`32-129
Passing yards`33`72
Total yards`181`201
Passing`6-11-0`6-11-0
Sacked-yards lost`1-5`5-34
Punts-avg.`4-36.25`6-33.5
Fumbles-lost`1-0`2-0
Penalties-yards`6-35`9-56
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — AH, Jordan Hollander 10-31, Green 13-100 TD, Bandon Hardy 2-4, Brian Ostrowski 4-6. PA, Kyle Petroski 9-65, Carmen Falcone 11-35, Ryan Davis 2-26, Eric Petroski 7-23, Walter Coles 8-(-20).
PASSING — AH, Hollander 6-11-33-0. PA, Coles 6-10-72-0, Niko Cinquegrani 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING — AH, McCreary 5-35, Hardy 1-(-4). PA, Paul Brady 2-34, Nic Anastasi 3-27, Kevin Krawczyk 1-11.
INTERCEPTIONS — None.
MISSED FGs — None.