Tigers take early lead, prevail in quarterfinal

Sunday, November 09, 2003

By Mike White, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Ambridge was a much better team than when it lost to Moon earlier this season. The Bridgers got better in many facets, qualified for the WPIAL postseason and won a playoff game for the first time since 1985.

But there was one problem for improved Ambridge when it met Moon for the second time last night.

"Moon got better, too," said Ambridge coach Don Yannessa.

	Moon running back Larry Lee goes in for one of his two touchdowns last night. Click photo for larger image.

Moon jumped out to a big lead and defeated Ambridge, 24-17, in a WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal game last night at North Hills' Martorelli Stadium.

The win puts Moon (10-1) into the semifinals against Thomas Jefferson, which defeated Hampton, 42-7, in another quarterfinal last night.

"I just think Moon executed more offensively than the last time," said Yannessa, whose team lost to Moon, 14-6, in the fifth game of the season.

Moon turned back Ambridge with a strong running attack that accounted for 310 yards on 52 attempts. Robbie Leonard had 135 yards on 20 carries, Larry Lee 95 on nine and Guy Lucas 41 on 12.

"That's kind of the way it's been all year for us with our running game," said Moon coach Mark Capuano. "All three of those guys run differently and give you something."

Ambridge, which made one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent years, finished 6-5. The Bridgers were winless last season and 2-28 the past three years. They came back from a 24-3 deficit last night to make things interesting. Ambridge scored with 1:22 left in the game on Justin Ford's 12-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Marsilio, but Moon recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.

"I've been 6-4 and 6-5 before, but this was one of the better 6-5 seasons I've ever had," said Yannessa, in his first year at Ambridge.

Ambridge's success this season had Capuano worried.

"In 1998, we were kind of that team," said Capuano. "Nobody expected much from us and we won [the WPIAL]. You have to worry about those Cinderella teams."

Although Moon led at halftime, Ambridge got on the scoreboard first on Jared Hooks' 25-yard field goal in the first quarter. The score was set up when Moon quarterback Matt Dowdell fumbled the snap from center on the third play of the game. Ambridge's Chris Villella recovered at the Moon 26.

But Moon dominated the rest of the first half, rolling for 237 total yards, including 173 on the ground. Lee had 92 yards on eight attempts in the first half. That was close to half of Lee's rushing total for the season. He came in with 232 yards on 27 carries. But Lee carried the ball only once in the second half.

Moon scored on three of its next four possessions after Ambridge's 3-0 lead. Lee scored touchdowns on runs of 16 and 29 yards in the first half. His second score was set up by a fake punt that Robbie Leonard turned into a 20-yard gain to put the ball at the Ambridge 49.

Jon Oberdick kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 17-3 at halftime.

On its second possession of the second half, Moon took the ball at its 18 with 6:21 left in the third quarter and moved 82 yards on 13 running plays for a score. Leonard capped the march with an 8-yard touchdown run.

Ambridge got its first touchdown with 9:04 left in the game on Shawn Besong's 6-yard pass to Marsilio. Besong, Ambridge's offensive catalyst, finished 11 of 26 for 141 yards, but threw two interceptions. Moon has 20 interceptions this season. Besong left the game with 7:01 remaining with a possible concussion.

"He got his bell rung in the first half, and I don't know if he ever came back from it," Yannessa said.

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