NEW CASTLE —
A bonfire lit the sky last night behind Neshannock High School.
The school was holding a pep rally to celebrate the season of its red-hot football team.
“We’re getting a lot of support from the community here coming out,” junior tight end Steven Jeffries said during the event. “They’ve been supporting us every step of the way. We’re here now at 9-1 and it feels good to have everyone out here supporting us.”
The Lancers finished the season with their first Big Seven Conference championship, sharing it with Sto-Rox and Rochester. The team also won its first WPIAL playoff game in school history last week, a 42-14 decision against Jefferson-Morgan. Neshannock will take on Monessen in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL playoffs at 7:30 tonight at Chartiers-Houston High School.
The Neshannock Township Fire Department started the festivities last night with the lighting of the fire. As it blazed, players and coaches took turns hyping the crowd of hundreds, which included cheerleaders, students, fans, parents and teachers who gathered to root on the team.
Defensive back Antonio Blundo began the round of speeches with a prayer.
“I give a big prayer before every game. I give a big speech before every game. It gets everyone fired up,” Blundo said “I’m glad I could give it to the community, too. They can get a little taste of what we get in the locker room.”
Blundo believes the new coaching staff, led by head coach Fred Mozzocio, helped bring the program back from obscurity.
“It wasn’t easy,” Blundo said. “It started in January and it’s still not done. It’s almost been a full year that we’ve been going nonstop. Like coach said, we were out on the practice field every day in the summer. We had no vacation. They installed this new offense that was fast-paced and no one seems to be able to stop it, and I hope no one does. We owe it all to the coaches.”
The senior was overwhelmed by the community showing up and supporting the team as they did.
“It’s more important than anything. We’re not used to it. We haven’t seen something like this in almost 30 years,” Blundo said. “We’re happy we can get together like this. It’s nice to know we have a lot of people behind us. We turned a lot of skeptics into believers. That’s what this season was all about.
Lancers quarterback Ernie Burkes then took the microphone and spoke to the crowd about how important it is for them to show up for tonight’s game.
After Burkes spoke, Mozzocio took the stage. He rallied the crowd with his goal of making it to the state championship while discussing the difficulties and sacrifices the players made to get to that point. He then awarded the Big Seven Conference trophy to Neshannock principal Luca Passarelli.
“When this community sets its mind to something, they were very committed to this, they’re committed to all of our student programs,” Passarelli said. “This is a testament to just how special this community is. I’m very proud to be a part of it. We’re very proud of all of our students and our student-athletes. We hope to go far.”
(Email: a_petyak@ncnewsonline.com).
Neshannock
Related Photos
-
Neshannock coach Fred Mozzocio rallies the crowd during Thursday’s night’s bonfire at the school.
-
Neshannock quarterback Ernie Burkes speaks to the crowd.
Related Links
Discussion
Neshannock pep rally fires up students, community
- Neshannock
-
-
WPIAL Softball Playoffs: Neshannock rolls over Frazier
Fall behind against the Neshannock High softball team and you can pretty much forget about a comeback. Yesterday, Frazier felt pretty good about scoring a run in the top of the first against the Lady Lancers. However, Neshannock responded with four of its own in the bottom of the frame and stormed to a 9-1 triumph in a WPIAL Class A semifinal at North Allegheny High School.
-
WPIAL Softball Playoffs: Neshannock pounds Serra Catholic
The Neshannock High softball team is picking up where it left off last postseason. The defending PIAA Class AA champions began their pursuit of a WPIAL Class A crown and a state playoff return with a resounding statement, posting a 14-0 decision over Serra Catholic in the WPIAL quarterfinals at North Hills High School.
-
Playing sports for Neshannock? You’ll have to pay
The Neshannock school district has no tax hike in its proposed budget, but is extending its pay-to-play program. The proposed $17 million 2013-14 budget will be posted on the district’s website. The budget holds the millage at the current rate of 14.3758.
-
Neshannock Schools: Father concerned after alleged assault
The father of a student allegedly assaulted on field trip asked Neshannock school officials to ensure kids’ safety. “I’m not here to discuss what happened,” he said last night, “only to say that I’m concerned for all students.
-
‘What Killed Arafat?’: Neshannock grad nominated for prestigious award for investigation of late Palestinian leader
Clayton Swisher once helped keep Yasser Arafat alive.Little could Swisher have known that, ultimately, he would find himself investigating the Palestinian leader’s death.
-
No tax hike expected for Neshannock schools
The Neshannock school board does not anticipate a tax increase for next year. A tentative 2013-14 budget — featuring $17,005,051 in expenses and $16,585,744 in revenues — was introduced this week.
-
Law Day essay winners announced
Matthew Barnes and Hannah Branscome are the winners of the Lawrence County Law Day Essay Contest. Each received a $1,500 scholarship check.
-
Police probe alleged assault of student
Township police are investigating a possible assault of a Neshannock High School student. Lt. John Rand, officer in charge, said a female student allegedly was assaulted by other students on an overnight bus trip to New York City last weekend.
-
Neshannock board, teachers agree on pact
Neshannock Township teachers have a new contract. At a special meeting this week, school board members voted 9-0 to accept a four-year bargaining agreement.
-
Meal maker: Neshannock teen fighting childhood hunger
On stage, Gianna Cherry is a Mini Star. In the community, she’s a Souper Star. A member of the New Castle Playhouse Mini Stars for the past two years, Gianna recently received a $500 grant from the Sodexo Foundation and Youth Service America, which recognizes young people working to fight childhood hunger.
- More Neshannock Headlines
-
