Central Catholic shocked, North Hills rushing attack looks dynamic

Shaler running back Joey Kremer tries to wiggle out of a tackle Friday night at Titans Stadium. Kremer piled up 123 rushing yards, but North Hills ran away from Shaler 45-17.

By Josh Rizzo
SHALER TWP -- Given the option of a second scrimmage or another game, North Hills coach Pat Carey would rather have his kids lace them up.
For the second year since the PIAA expanded to six classes and added Week Zero, the Indians took on Shaler. Both teams were previously conference rivals when both were in Class 4A.
Now, the Class 6A Titans and 5A North Hills can only meet the first week. Friday at Shaler, the Indians collected a 45-17 win over Shaler, their sixth straight in the series.
"I like the fact they are our neighbor and one of our rivals from the past," Carey said. "I think going into conference play, there's nothing like game shape. Playing a football game is the best way to get into that."
North Hills subbed some of its first team in the second half, but running back Melvin Blanks didn't need long to make an impression. Blanks piled up 172 rushing yards and scored three times. The most devastating for Shaler was a 98-yard kick-off return right before halftime.
The Titans, who have lost 15 straight, had to play shorthanded. Wide receiver Michael Battaglia and running back Joey Pollak were both out with injuries. Joey Kremer stepped up in Pollak's absence, piling up 123 yards on the ground. Brian Colarusso also had a big game for Shaler, scoring both of the Titans' touchdowns and finishing with 120 receiving yards.
First-year Shaler coach Jim Ryan was pleased with the effort.
"I had confidence the guys behind them were going to step up and make plays," Ryan said. "It took them time to get going because they don't have the experience. Playing under Friday night lights is a different ballgame. I'm pleased with how they stepped up and I knew they would."
Carey was pleased with how North Hills defended Shaler. The Indians never let the Titans get going in the first half and suffocated the passing game early.
Prepping for the Titans wasn't perfect, but Carey feels they adjusted well.
"You can never trust what they do in a scrimmage is what they are going to do in the game," Carey said. "Our kids played really hard. We subbed out pretty early in the game. I thought our first-teamers played pretty well."

Here are some other items of interest from Western Pa. football:

31 years later
Quaker Valley coach Jerry Veshio picked up his first win as a head coach with the Quakers in three decades by guiding QV past Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 55-21.

Veshio was asked to take over after John Tortorea resigned suddenly at the beginning of August.

Gators have bite
Gateway jumped out to a 28-0 lead at the Wolverena and had to hang on for a 35-23 decision. The Gators should be one of the favorites to reach Heinz Field this season in 5A.

Gateway has experience at quarterback and a coach, Don Holl, who was known for having a dynamic offense at Seneca Valley.

Central Catholic takes beating
Cathedral Prep put a fierce beating on Central Catholic Friday night in Erie. Not sure what to make of how this impacts the WPIAL Class 6A favorites. The Ramblers are likely the front-runners for a state title in Class 4A. 

Central Catholic will likely still pile up a bunch of wins. Will the Vikings be able to top 6A's best?