RIDGWAY 9, ECC 7

Oct. 6, 2006

RIDGWAY – The Ridgway Elkers’ 500^th win in school history came down to the final play.

A missed 39-yard field by Elk County Catholic with three seconds left sealed a 9-7 triumph for the Elkers (4-2) Friday night in Ridgway.

"What a feeling," Ridgway head coach Mark Morelli, who won his school record 54^th game, said. "You have to give all the credit in the world to these kids."

The Elkers became just the third school in District 9 history (DuBois and Bradford are the others) and the second this year (Bradford) to win 500 games. Ridgway, which has been playing football since 1897, is now 500-316-44 according to the Pennsylvania Football News’ 2006 Resource Guide.

"They’re proud as a peacock right now," Morelli said. "This will be a highlight of a lot of these guys’ football careers, especially the seniors."

It was a highlight for Morelli for more than one reason. In addition to it being the 500^th win in school history, the victory also moved the 10^th-year head coach past Mike Dominick into first place in school history in wins for a head coach. Morelli is now 54-40 surpassing Dominick’s 53-8-1 record compiled over seven seasons.

The record setting victory was almost for not thanks to a late drive by ECC (3-3). The Crusaders started from inside their own 20-yard line with less than two minuets to play, but quarterback Andy Herbstritt led them down the field and into Ridgway territory.

ECC got the ball around the Ridgway 20, but a late personal foul call moved the Crusaders back 15 yards forcing a longer field goal that was missed.

Ridgway’s Jerico Weitzel didn’t miss his field goal try nailing a 32 yarder late in the third quarter to erase a 7-6 halftime deficit and give the Elkers a 9-7 lead.

ECC led 7-6 at the half thanks to a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Mike Moore on the game’s opening kickoff. But ECC head coach Keith Lecker believes that play might have doomed his team

"We got overconfident after that play," Lecker said.

Ridgway appeared as if it was going to even the score driving inside the ECC 20-yard line. But on an end around, the ball popped loose, and ECC recovered stopping the drive.

Ridgway was able to convert the next drive, though, into points. Nick Dickant found Weitzel in the flat with a pass, and Weitzel was able to weave up field and into the end zone getting the Elkers within one.

Ridgway drove deep into Crusader territory once again during the second quarter, but another fumble ended the drive.

"One of the things we told them at halftime was to be patient," Morelli said. "I knew they couldn’t stop us. The kids had a challenge, and they rose to the occasion. You have to give them credit."

In the second half, the Elkers asserted their running game chewing up more than eight minutes of the clock with a heavy dose of Weitzel running the ball.

The drive culminated with Weitzel making the 32-yard field goal that bounced off the crossbar and over.

"The way the game was going, I thought we needed a field goal," Morelli said. "Jerico has more leg strength so he kicked it. Jerico’s a gamer. He wants to do everything.

"These kids earned respect tonight. They were out for respect. These kids got so tired of hearing they didn't deserve to beat Elk County Catholic."

Ridgway returns to action at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Port Allegany, while ECC is back in action at 7 p.m. Friday night when it hosts Cameron County.

RIDGWAY 9, ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC 7

ECC 7 0 0 0 - 7

Ridgway 6 0 3 0 - 9

Scoring Summary

First quarter

E - Mike Moore 92-yard kickoff return (Joshua Catelano kick), 11:47

R - Jerico Weitzel 12-yard pass from Nick Dickant (kick failed), 1:55

Third quarter

R - Weitzel 32-yard field goal, 3:32

Team stats E R

First downs 9 17

Total yards 114 324

Carries-yards 19-40 54-196

Passing yards 74 128

Penalties-yards 2-20 0-0

Fumbles-Lost 2-0 2-2

Turnovers 0 2

Passing - Elk Co. Catholic: Andy Herbstritt 14-24-128-0. Ridgway: Nick Dickant 5-7-74-0.

Rushing - Elk Co. Catholic: Eric Mastrogiacomo 6-22, Brad Meholic 6-20, Derec Mclullough 1-6, Andy Herbstritt 5-(-3), Joshua Catelano 1-(-5). Ridgway: Jerico Weitzel 38-161, Nick Dickant 7-16, Elliott Pontious 5-14, Andy Aiello 3-10, Joe Renaud 1-(-5).

Receiving - Elk Co. Catholic: Jimmy Higgins 4-53, Nick Brennen 4-39, Brad Meholic 4-23, Mike Moore 1-11, Eric Mastrogiacomo 1-2. Ridgway: Jeff Reitz 2-26, Jerico Weitzel 2-25, Shane Lindgren 1-23