Shaler athletics notebook: Titans football team showing improvement on offense

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 14, 2018 | 12:15 AM

Jim Ryan decided to do his best Tom Osborne impersonation during the Shaler football team’s 29-28 win over Hampton Sept. 7 at Titans field.

After a touchdown with 90 seconds remaining, the Titans opted to go for two and the win instead of attempting an extra point and a possible overtime. Unlike Osborne’s decision when coaching for the national title in the 1980s for Nebraska, Ryan’s risk paid off.

Shaler running back Joey Kremer punched the ball in on the conversion, and the Titans collected their first win at home since a 41-28 win over McDowell on Oct. 8, 2011. Shaler (2-1, 1-0) played Bethel Park in a nonconference game last Friday, the results of which were too late for this edition.

Hampton was ahead 28-14 with two minutes remaining and 21-6 after the third quarter. The Titans rallied behind touchdowns from Joey Impavido, Justin DeSabato and Kremer, who also scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter. Shaler quarterback Darin Mizgorski finished with 230 yards passing and two touchdowns, and DeSabato had 107 receiving yards.

Shaler’s offense has shown major improvement since last season. The Titans have scored 80 points in their first three games, matching their total from last season. Brennan Fugh is tied for the WPIAL lead in receiving yards — he has 409 yards on 22 catches and has scored three times — with Imani Christian’s Rahmon Hart Jr.

Shaler boys soccer picks up 1st win

The Titans scored a 1-0 win over Out Lady of Good Counsel (Md.) when Sam Bens converted a penalty kick. Cohen Wilkins drew the foul to help the Titans break the deadlock. Shaler (1-4, 0-3) has struggled in a difficult section, losing its three section contests by a mark of 14-1.

Kilgore makes early impact

Shaler graduate and Grove City freshman linebacker Parker Kilgore has found a niche in the college game. Kilgore has collected seven tackles, recovered a fumble and assisted on a tackle for loss.

The Wolverines are 1-1 this season, including an 0-1 mark in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

Shaler girls volleyball hangs tough

The Titans fell to 0-3 in section play by dropping 3-2 matches to Butler and Fox Chapel.

Oyinda Agbale led Shaler with 15 kills against Fox Chapel, and Addie Kania contributed 12 kills and 21 digs.

Agbale also led the Titans with 17 kills and six blocks against the Golden Tornado, and Cassidy Rossi handed out 25 assists.

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

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