Aug 26, 2016 3 min read

CANONSBURG – The first five minutes of the WPIAL season could have gone better for the Canon-McMillan football team.

Fortunately for the Big Macs, the next 43 went just fine.

Canon-McMillan allowed Kiski to score in just 91 seconds – when the Cavaliers fumbled at the goal line, no less – then on the Big Macs’ second possession, star running back Bryan Milligan left the game and did not return after just his second carry.

In Milligan’s absence, however, the offense found new ways to move the ball and a new scoring threat emerged for the Big Macs in the form of Rahmiere Knight, whose big-play abilities helped lead Canon-McMillan to a 42-22 win Friday in the season opener.

“We’re trying to build that kind of culture here,” said Canon-Mac coach Mike Evans. “All we’re worried about is executing. I think tonight we did a good job of that. I’m real excited for our kids. They’re 1-0 for the first time in a long time.”

Knight scored three touchdowns and had a fourth wiped out. The Big Macs took a 21-7 halftime lead, thanks in part to a 60-yard touchdown catch by Knight from Jordan Castelli, before Kiski scored the next 15 points.

After Ross Greece’s second touchdown run of the game for the Cavaliers put Kiski up 22-21, Knight made his mark again when he took the ensuing kickoff 95 yards to put the Big Macs back ahead.

Knight’s third touchdown was a 58-yard catch on a straight go route to extend Canon-McMillan’s lead to 13 points.

“He’s a 4.55 kid who’s building confidence,” said Evans. “He basically just started playing football last year. He’s running past people and learning how to use his body to create separation.”

Earlier, Milligan went out with what appeared to be an ankle injury on Canon-Mac’s second possession. He was kept out for precautionary reasons and will be re-examined today.

The Big Macs then took to the air with the arm of Castelli. Anthony Sacco filled in at running back, and his 15-yard run got Canon-McMillan on the board. Castelli threw for 43 yards on the drive, including a key 19-yard completion on third and 8.

Castelli completed 14 of 30 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns.

The Big Macs forced a fumble on Kiski’s next play, and after a clutch fourth-down conversion run by Sacco, Castelli lofted a beautiful pass into the corner of the end zone, where Doug Kotar made a sensational over-the-shoulder catch to put the Big Macs ahead. The 2-point conversion made it 14-7.

Knight later had a punt return for a touchdown that was nullified by a penalty.

Kiski started the second half the right way, forcing a quick three-and-out to get a short field, which it marched down in just three plays, with Greece taking a read-option 26 yards for the score.

The game at times looked like one might imagine a Week Zero game would, with a number of procedure penalties and other mistakes. The teams combined for 21 penalties.

“There’s a lot of things I didn’t like, but I’ve heard this all my life – your improvement is more there from Week 1 to Week 2, so we get to go improve,” said Evans.

Sacco rushed for 82 yards on 20 carries. Greece led Kiski with 155 yards on 20 carries.