Cougars dominating in 57-0 win over Brownsville
Brownsville's Lucas Harn (2) prepares to stiff-arm Charleroi's Mario Celaschi (56) during Friday's Interstate Conference game in Redstone Field.
Charleroi's Colton Linn (2) attempts to gain extra yards as Brownsville's Cameron Brosky (30) closes in for a tackle during Friday's Interstate Conference game at Redstone Field.
Charleroi's Dakota Romantino (11) tries to sidestep Brownsville's Lucas Harn (2) and Dylan Lewis (64) during Friday's Interstate Conference game at Redstone Field.
REPUBLIC — The visiting Charleroi Cougars dominated the Brownsville Falcons Friday night with a 57-0 victory in Interstate Conference action.
The Cougars improve to 6-1 in the conference and 8-1 overall, while the Falcons fall to 0-6 and 0-9.
Hunter Perry had a key role in Charleroi’s win, amassing a combined five touchdowns: three rushing, one receiving and another when he returned an interception for a score.
“Our kids didn’t succumb to the grass field that has given us trouble all year, and they took care of business,” said Charleroi coach Lance Getsy.
Getsy also praised Perry’s performance.
“Hunter is a man,” smiled Getsy. “He just had a good game, and I’m really proud of him.”
Perry broke the ice with 2:20 left in the first quarter with a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown, giving the Cougars a 6-0 lead after Brownsville blocked the extra point.
Perry’s one-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter made it a 14-0 game after Dakota Romantino connected with Colton Linn for the two-point conversion.
Geno Pellegrini connected with Perry for a two-yard touchdown pass with 6:25 left in the first half, giving the Cougars a 21-0 advantage.
Perry found the end zone again on a 10-yard run, followed by a Pellegrini two-point run, and the Cougars enjoyed a comfortable 29-0 lead heading into the half.
Charleroi received the second half kickoff, and on the first play of the drive, Brayden Mihalcin sprinted 53 yards for a touchdown to give the Cougars a 36-0 lead, evoking the mercy rule 25 seconds into the third quarter.
Perry chalked up his fifth and final touchdown of the night courtesy of a 27-yard touchdown run, making it 43-0.
Mihalcin’s 17-yard touchdown run seven seconds into the fourth quarter to give the Cougars a 50-0 lead. Mihalcin also had an exceptional night, rushing 11 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
Brownsville fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the loose ball was recovered by Charleroi’s Evan McQuire, who ran it back 35 yards for a touchdown.
Evan McQuire’s touchdown late in the fourth quarter gave Charleroi a 57-0 lead.
“Obviously, the year wasn’t what we wanted it to be in the win-loss column, but I can credit these kids for never quitting,” said Brownsville head coach Scott Fichter. “Given the character development I’ve seen in these seniors over the years, it has been an honor coaching them.”
Brownsville celebrated its annual senior night before the game, honoring players Lucas Harn, Austin Lincoski, Phillip Pace, Quinton Mapstone, Dylan Lewis, Lucas Kremposky, David Hromada, Elijah Ruffcorn, Evan Olesko, Edward Victor, Jamal Minor, and Braden Richardson.
Charleroi hosts Apollo-Ridge (2-6) Friday non-conference action, while Brownsville travels to Carmichaels (0-5, 1-6) for a conference game.
Interstate Conference
Charleroi 6-23-14-14 — 57
Brownsville 0-0-0-0 — 0
First Quarter
Char: Hunter Perry 46 interception return (kick failed)
Second Quarter
Char: Hunter Perry 1 run (Colton Linn pass from Dakota Romantino)
Char: Hunter Perry 2 pass from Geno Pellegrini (Joey Caruso kick)
Char: Hunter Perry 10 run (Geno Pellegrini run)
Third Quarter
Char: Brayden Mihalcin 53 run (Joey Caruso kick)
Char: Hunter Perry 27 run (Joey Caruso kick)
Fourth Quarter
Char: Brayden Mihalcin 17 run (Joey Caruso kick)
Char: Evan McQuire 35-yard fumble return (Joey Caruso kick)
Record: Charleroi (6-1, 8-1), Brownsville (0-6, 0-9).