Avella holds on for ‘huge’ win over West Greene
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Avella's Gabe Lis celebrates his first-half touchdown on a pass from K. J. Rush, launching the Eagles to their 21-20 victory over West Greene Thursday night at Kennedy Field.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Corey Wise is one of two starting running backs who return at West Greene. Wise and Colin Brady give the Pioneers the best 1-2 punch at the position in the Class A Tri-County South Conference.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
West Greene defensive back Brayden Mooney interrupts a pass from Avella’s K.J. Rush intended for Matt Kidwell, tipping the ball to teammate Dalton Lucey for an interception in the end zone. The Pioneers hosted the Eagles Thursday night.
Pioneer running back Corey Wise breaks past the Avella Eagle defenders in the game at West Greene's Kennedy Field on September 24.
Avella wide receiver Tanner Terensky evades West Greene's Corey Wise in the game on September 24 at the Pioneers' Kennedy Field.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Avella quarterback K.J. Rush hoists teammate Cole Jaworowski celebrating the Eagles 21-20 victory over West Greene Thursday night at the Pioneers’ Kennedy Field.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Avella running back Tyler Cerciello breaks away from a tackle attempt by West Greene's Josiah Tagaro Thursday night.
ROGERSVILLE – It wasn’t pretty but Avella will take it.
Wins over West Greene don’t come very often for the Eagles so their 21-20 nail-biter Thursday night was something to celebrate, even if you had to keep a social distance.
It also brought their record to 3-0, the first time that has happened since 2013.
It was the first victory for the Eagles over the Pioneers since 2016 when Avella won 32-26. Since that game. West Greene has outscored the Eagles, 160-7.
“This is huge,” said Avella football coach Ryan Cecchini. “Last time we got this far and played them, it propelled us to something bigger. Two undefeated teams; they are a very good team. We knew we would have a dogfight coming in here. Nothing was going to come easy.”
Quarterback KJ Rush had a love-you, hate-you type of game. He threw four interceptions but threw two touchdown passes – an 11-yarder to Gabe Lis that turned out to be the game-winner – intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.
“We were a dollar late and a day short all game but credit them,” said West Greene head coach Brian Hanson. “They are a much better football team. We saw it on film. We knew not to take them lightly.”
Trailing 21-14 in the fourth quarter, West Greene pulled within one on an eight-yard run by Wes Whipkey with 5:12 to play. West Greene went for two and Avella stopped the run.
Colin Brady’s 43-yard run gave West Greene a 14-6 lead in the third quarter. But Avella tied wit hen Rush found Tanner Terensky for a 19-yard pass late in the third quarter.
Avella entered the game with a 2-0 record for the first time since 2013, when the Eagles finished witha 6-4 record. That was a playoff year and Avella lost in the WPIAL first round to Sto-Rox.
West Greene, which was forced to postpone its Week 2 game with California because of the coronavirus is off to a 1-1 start.
West Greeme led 8-6 at halftime but the Pioneers had to feel fortunate to hold that lead.
On the second play of the game, Corey Wise and Wes Whipkey connected on a beautiful 65-yard touchdown pass for an 8-0 lead. Wise broke two tackles on the play.
West Greene appeared to make it 14-0 when Wise ripped off a 31-yard run down the left side of the field. But the Pioneers were called for an illegal block on the play. Two plays later, Rush intercepted a Whipkey pass at the midfield.
Avella put together an eight-play, 48-yard drive that Rush capped with a one-yard run. The run for the two-point conversion failed.
Rush recovered a fumble on West Greene’s next possession and came within a yard of taking the lead. Avella had a first-and-goal at the one but West Greene held and preserved the lead for halftime.