LATE BOTCHED ECC PUNT HELPS SMETHPORT TOPPLE CRUSADERS

AUG. 29, 2003 - Smethport 19, Elk County Catholic 14

ST. MARYS – The Smethport Hubbers squeaked past the Crusaders 19-14 in an opening season AML encounter held at the Dutch Country Stadium Friday night.

With Elk up 14-13 late in the game, it was forced to punt at its own 25. However, the punt never got off as a bad snap from center allowed the Hubbers to regain control of the ball on Elk's 4-yard line on downs. Then on fourth-and-goal from the one, the Hubbers hit pay dirt when Matt Switzer scored to lead Smethport to a 19-14 win.

ECC had one more chance moving the ball to the Smethport 47, but Mike Mitchell interception an Andrew Blazek pass, Blazek’s fourth interception of the game, to seal the deal.

The game was a nip and tuck affair right up to the dramatic ending.

Elk led 8-7 after the first quarter and Smethport was up 13-8 at the half.

Midway through the fourth quarter ECC went ahead 14-13 and it looked like it might hold on for the win. However, the Crusaders failed to get a much-needed first down late in the quarter, which set up the failed punt attempt.

ECC won all the battles except the final score and the turnover battle.

The Crusaders outgained Smethport 266 yards to 73 and had 13 first downs to five. But ECC had four interceptions and one fumble lost compared to four turnovers for Smethport (three interceptions and a fumble lost).

Tyler Covert scored twice on touchdown passes from Switzer (9 yards, 6 yards) to lead Smethport. Covert had three catches for 20 yards, while Switzer was 6-for-12 passing for 44 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Zach Parks ran nine times for 28 yards, and Mitchell ran 15 times for 22 yards.

Anthony Tettis ran 22 times for 145 yards and a touchdown for ECC, while Scott Meholic ran 11 times for 43 yards and a score.

Blazek was 5-for-13 passing for 94 yards with Randy Pearsall catching three passes for 76 yards.

Defensively, Travis Herzing, who picked off three Hubber passes, led the Crusaders. Tettis also contributed heavily from his linebacker position with a dozen tackles.