Greensburg Central Catholic routs Riverview on homecoming

By: Andrew John
Friday, September 27, 2024 | 10:37 PM

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A second-quarter offensive explosion Greensburg Central Catholic broke the game wide open to provide all the Centurions needed to beat Riverview, 45-14, in Class A Eastern Conference play Friday night at Centurion Stadium.

Juniors Jerry Davis and Landon Honick reached the end zone twice in the second quarter for the Centurions, and senior quarterback Samir Crosby threw for two and ran for another on homecoming night.

The Centurions (3-2, 2-1) controlled the game with their ground attack and finished with 259 yards rushing. GCC held Riverview (2-2, 1-2) to 133 yards of total offense. GCC forced two first-half turnovers to thwart Raider drives.

“We put it all together tonight. The kids came out fired up, and they were excited to play. Homecoming had a lot to do with that as well,” GCC coach John Thompson said.

“A lot of the immaturity we had at the beginning of the season with the younger players playing, they are getting a lot more confident in themselves. I think that contributed to us getting out to a faster start.”

Davis kicked off the scoring when he caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Crosby on the opening drive of the game.

Crosby extended the lead to two scores when he called his own number for a 6-yard touchdown run.

Honick extended the Centurions lead to 21 points when he caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from senior Jackson McMullen. The Centurions capitalized on the short field after recovering a Raiders fumble.

Davis scored his second touchdown of the night when he broke away from Riverview defenders for a 50-yard touchdown run to make it 28-0 with 6 minutes, 22 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Raiders scored their only first-half touchdown after taking over at the Centurions 3-yard line after a GCC fumble. Landon Johnson made it 28-7 after a 3-yard touchdown run.

“It didn’t go the way we wanted it to and the way we practiced. They just made plays. We need to get back to work,” Riverview coach Trevor George said.

With 10 seconds remaining in the first half, the Centurions scored their fourth touchdown in the quarter when Crosby found an open Honick in the end zone for a 35-yard score to make it 35-7 at half.

Thompson couldn’t stop praising the Centurions offensive line, which created holes for Tucker Lloyd, Davis, Crosby and McMullen.

“Give them some credit. We are so young up there and inexperienced. However, they are coming together and jelling. They are doing really well, and I think tonight showed that,” Thompson said.

McMullen took over under center for Crosby and extended the Centurion lead to 42-7 when he ran it in from 6 yards with about five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Connor Kmetz returned under center for Riverview after missing action after getting hurt in the season opener. Kmetz connected with Alex Schultheis for a 25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to make it 45-14.

Kmetz went 9 of 22 for 113 yards passing, a touchdown and interception in his first game back for the Raiders.

“First game back isn’t easy for anybody. He showed signs of being a really good quarterback. We had our best athletes around him, but we just needed to make plays,” George said.

The Centurions have won 10 of the last 11 games in the series, with the Raiders’ last win coming in 2016.

Thompson is excited they can build off this conference win as the Centurions move on to face Jeannette at home next week.

“It’s huge. It’s momentum and confidence. It’s been a rival for the school for a long time. It doesn’t matter the records or where we are playing. It’s going to be a great, physical game. We are excited for the opportunity. I’m sure our guys will be ready to go,” Thompson said.

Riverview will look to get back in the win column when it faces Brentwood at home.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Riverview