HANOVER TWP. – Pittston Area didn’t need long to establish its dominance on both sides of the field.
Case in point: Harry Pugliese took the first four carries of the game. His first three were each for 14 yards. The fourth was a 6-yard touchdown that set the tone for the rest of the opening half.
Pittston Area scored six unanswered touchdowns in a 40-12 victory over Hanover Area on Friday.
All of the Patriots’ points were scored in the first half, and Pittston Area accumulate 475 total yards.
“We wanted to come out and set the tone of the game,” Pittston Area coach Nick Barbieri said. “I thought we ran the ball well in the first half, which is something we haven’t done very well.”
Kevin Lockett scored on two receiving touchdowns to cap a big night for the Patriots’ receiver. Lockett caught five passes for 93 yards.
Receiving the ball with less than a minute remaining in the first half, Pittston Area showcased its two-minute offense to set the Mercy Rule into effect. Lockett caught a 44-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field to take a 40-0 lead into the break.
“We had to work on our two-minute offense,” Barbieri said. “We took advantage of that there. He’s a big-time kid. When we need a big play, we know we can look to him.”
Pugliese matched his teammate with a pair of touchdowns. He finished with 133 yards on 10 carries.
Two Pittston Area big plays blew the game open in the second quarter. A mere 24 seconds into the period, Anthony Cencetti returned a punt 44 yards down the sidelines for a score. Robby Barbieri hauled in a 65-yard pass and outran Hawkeyes’ defenders with 9:11 remaining in the half.
Quarterback Drew DeLucca threw for two touchdowns. He was 9-for-15 with 187 yards.
Barbieri credited the line for its performance.
“They’re getting better every week,” he said. “We have some experience and then some youth. They’re starting to come together pretty well. I’m pleased they protected well.”
Hanover Area found the end zone twice in the second half. Luis McCoy picked up a fumble and returned it 87 yards as the third quarter siren blared to end the shutout threat. The Hawkeyes inserted Sean Dooner as the quarterback in the fourth quarter with positive results. He found Christian Torres for a 12-yard touchdown and finished with 80 yards in the air.
BY THE NUMBERS
Pittston Area held Hanover Area to minus-10 rushing yards on 12 carries. … The Patriots ran for 258 yards on 33 carries. … Pittston Area led 19-7 in first downs and 475-133 in total offense. …
UP NEXT
Pittston Area is back home at Charley Trippi Stadium Friday night to host defending District 2 Class 4A champion Valley View. The Cougars have won three straight since losing at Crestwood, 20-7, in their opener. Valley View opened its Lackawanna Football Conference schedule Friday, taking a 33-point lead into the last five minutes of a 33-13 victory over North Pocono. Connor Hilling, a returning Class 4A all-state running back and 1,000-yard rusher, is coming off his best of the season.
