Vanata rushes for 111 yards as Maples top Avella, 20-6
Colton Burchianti
Mapletown coach George Messich liked what he saw in his football team蘑菇视频 scrimmage last week but the question was whether that performance would carry over into the regular season.
The answer was a resounding yes as the Maples rode a strong ground game, led by running backs Carson Vanata and Brock Evans, to a 20-6 non-conference victory over visiting Avella on Friday night.
Vanata, a sophomore, carried 10 times for 111 yards and a touchdown and Evans, a senior, added 75 yards and a score on 14 attempts.
鈥淚n our scrimmage game the line did a great job and our running backs ran hard, and they did it again tonight,鈥� said Messich, who蘑菇视频 in his 42nd year as head coach of the Maples. 鈥淭he line came off the ball and opened some holes and our running backs broke some tackles for some nice long runs.鈥�
Vanata got Mapletown on the board first with a 47-yard touchdown run just 58 seconds into the game and Evans scored on an 18-yard run early in the second as the hosts built a 12-0 halftime lead after a pair of failed two-point conversion passes.
The Eagles sliced the lead in half on Nate Rankin蘑菇视频 17-yard TD run late in the second quarter. The Maples stopped the two-conversion run.
Mapletown pushed its advantage up to 14 points when junior Colton McKnight pulled in a 12-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Spencer Yeager and also ran in the two-point conversion to set the final score.
Colton BurchiantiThe scoreboard tells the story as Mapletown coach George Messich talks to his team late in the fourth quarter of Friday night蘑菇视频 game against Avella at Mapletown.
McKnight had four receptions for 53 yards with three of those passes coming from Yeager, who was 3 of 4 for 47 yards.
Junior Colton Spitnogle made 10 tackles to lead Mapletown蘑菇视频 defense, which did not allow a completed pass in eight attempts by Avella.
鈥淲e had a couple younger kids step in tonight and really opened our eyes up,鈥� Messich said. 鈥淭hey did a really nice job.
鈥淚 was really proud of our kids tonight. I thought it was a great team effort. We gave 100 percent and that蘑菇视频 what we preach to them all the time.鈥�
Colton BurchiantiAvella quarterback Chaz Rush awaits the snap under center as his team lines up against Mapletown蘑菇视频 defense during Friday night蘑菇视频 game at Mapletown.
Broden Hamm led Avella with 61 rushing yards on 12 carries and quarterback Chaz Rush ran the ball 10 times for 54 yards.
The two teams, who have set up an annual two-game series, will meet again in a Tri-County South clash on Oct. 4, also at Mapletown. Both games will be played at Avella next year.
Both teams continue non-conference play in Week One with the Maples at Frazier and Avella hosting Carlynton.
鈥淭he kids are really happy,鈥� Messich said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e just going to enjoy it this weekend.
鈥淭hen we鈥檒l go back to work Monday.鈥�
(Colton Burchianti contributed to this story.)