Kpan’s return sparks PT’s offense in victory
Peters Township’s T.J. Kpan picks up first-down yardage Friday ahead of Canon-McMillan’s Jordan Camp.
Canon-McMillan’s Bryan Milligan eludes the tackle Friday of Peters Township’s Albert Calfo.
Peters Township’s Clayton Yeates runs past Canon-McMillan’s Colton Blodgett Friday.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter Peters Township’s #4 Alan Snyder, gets taken down by Canon-McMillan’s #16 Rhamiere Knightf and #2 Josh Clopp on Friday, Sept. 18 at Canon-Mac’s Memorial Stadium
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter Peters Township’s #10 Clayton Yeates runs past Canon-McMillan’s #44 Doug Kotar for the first down on Friday, Sept. 18 at Canon-Mac’s Memorial Stadium
CANONSBURG – It’s never easy in Class AAAA’s Southeastern Conference, and both Canon-McMillan and Peters Township have been taking their lumps early in the season.
The good news was that one team would earn its first victory of 2015 after the nearby rivals played Friday night, a win that could open the door for a potential playoff berth later in the season.
In a game that featured a surprising number of big plays, the majority favored the visiting Indians, and Peters Township extended its mastery over the home side, bolstered by the full return of junior running back T.J. Kpan, and earned a 37-21 victory at Canon-McMillan’s Memorial Stadium Friday night.
“It’s a good win,” said Indians coach Rich Piccinini. “We played offense, defense, special teams. All around it was a good game for us.”
The Indians have defeated the Big Macs seven straight times, and Canon-McMillan has lost 16 in a row overall.
Kpan made his full return to the lineup after having played approximately 10 plays this season, and his elusiveness was apparent from the start, causing problems for the Big Mac tacklers. The Indians (1-2, 1-2) were almost a bigger detriment to their opening drive than the home side, as a pair of holding penalties twice backed up Peters Township.
When it appeared the Big Macs (0-3, 0-3) had the visitors where they wanted them, facing a third-and-15, Jake Cortes connected with Alan Snyder for a 51-yard touchdown.
Canon-McMillan responded almost immediately with its own big play on a third-and-long situation. Facing third and 11, quarterback Dom Eannace found big Jordan Smith across the middle. Smith hauled in the pass, shook off a couple of defenders and ran 83 yards, and the game was tied.
“When you have two teams fighting that hard, you’re going to have breakdowns, you’re going to have long plays,” said Piccinini. “We need to limit those long plays against us. A big-time player like (Smith) is going to get scores.”
The teams exchanged turnovers on downs in Peters Township territory, with Piccinini taking a gamble on a fourth-and-1 from his own 34-yard line and C-M coach Mike Evans electing to forgo a 36-yard field goal attempt after the special-teams unit looked a little shaky on an extra point.
From there, most of the big plays came when Peters Township had the ball, and they helped the Indians score the next 22 points. Nathaniel Hymson gained 105 yards on his first three touches, his runs of 61 and 42 yards setting up Indians scores. He finished with 128 yards on 10 carries.
The biggest play was just before halftime, after the Big Macs had staged a solid drive – almost exclusively on the ground by Bryan Milligan – before an interception inside the 10 ended it. Two plays later, Kpan broke loose for an 89-yard touchdown to give the Indians a 21-7 halftime lead.
“They were doing some things in the flats to get some guys open and we weren’t getting set quickly,” said Evans. “I’ve got to make them play to the half and make them play the whole game.”
Kpan finished with 125 yards on 19 carries. Cortes completed 10 of 11 passes for the Indians for 140 yards and three touchdowns.
The Big Macs showed flashes of offense and second-half improvement. Smith hauled in three touchdowns, catching four passes for 98 yards, and Milligan gained 135 yards on 28 carries. Eannace threw for 159 yards.
“When you take the whole game, we felt like it was an improvement again,” said Evans. “The result is not what we want, but that’s where we are. I feel like we’re a lot better than an 0-3 team. Give Peters Township credit. The things we had success in, they made us earn. We’re trying to earn respect every week.”