Seals make quick work of 'Cats
Sep. 29—SELINSGROVE — Heading into a game as a decided favorite on Friday night, Selinsgrove knew it needed to take care of business quickly if it didn't want Heartland Athletic Conference-Division I foe Mifflinburg to have a chance at an upset.
The Seals didn't quickly take care of business, it was more in the words of the great comedy classic "Space Ball," ludicrous speed.
"We have a lot of confidence right now," Selinsgrove defensive lineman Camden Smith, who had an interception return touchdown, said. "We were disappointed by our performance last year at Jersey Shore, and it's driving us (this season)."
Tucker Teats had 102 yards and two scores in the first three minutes of the game, and the Selinsgrove defense scored three touchdowns in the first half as the Seals used a 63-point first half to roll to a 63-7 victory over the Wildcats at Boling Field.
"These guys — if you see them in the locker room, they are loose and having fun — but there focused," Selinsgrove coach Derek Hicks said. "They are the same way at practice. They'll be out here having fun, being goofballs, but they are locked in when it's time to work."
Selinsgrove's defense was locked in from the start as Wyatt Teats picked off a pass on the second offensive play to set up a three-play 50-yard scoring drive. Tucker Teats's one-yard TD plunge after his tip-toeing run down the right-side line ended just short of the end zone for 7-0 lead with 10:36 left.
A quick three-and-out led to a 65-yard Teats TD run with 9:14 left in the first quarter, and the Seals had a 14-0 lead while Selinsgrove's senior tailback already topped the century mark.
Teats would add a 68-yard punt return, and 29-yard TD run to finish with 168 yards on 10 carries before his night was through.
The Seals defense then took over, forcing seven first-half turnovers, including five interceptions. Smith's came in the first quarter on a bobbled screen pass.
"I did it all for my boys (the rest of the defensive linemen)," Smith said. "I read screen, so I broke to the ball. Once he bobbled it, I just grabbed it."
Gavin Bastian would strip a receiver after a catch, and return the fumble 46 yards for a score. Selinsgrove's scoring was capped when Luke Smith returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown for a 63-0 lead.
Mifflinburg's lone score was set up by a poor snap on a punt early in the third quarter. Cole Reibsome found Kyler Troup for an eight-yard TD.
------
SELINSGROVE 63, MIFFLINBURG 7
Mifflinburg (3-3);0;0;7;0 — 7
Selinsgrove (5-0-1);35;28;0;0 — 63
SCORING SUMMARY
First quarter
S-Tucker Teats 1 run (Carter Young kick)
S-Teats 65 run (Young kick)
S-Jarrod Bullington 8 run (Young kick)
S-Teats 68 punt return (Young kick)
S-Camden Smith 22 interception return (Young kick)
Second quarter
S-Teats 29 run (Young kick)
S-Gavin Bastian 46 fumble return (Young kick)
S-Brett Rice 12 run (Young kick)
S-Luke Smith 46 interception return (Young kick)
Third quarter
M-Kyler Troup 8 pass from Cole Reibsome (Diego Herrera kick)
TEAM STATISTICS
;M;S
First downs;6;15
Rushes-net yards;21-5;35-311
Passing yards;133;32
Passing;12-27-5;6-13-0
Fumbles-lost;2-2;0-0
Penalties-yards;6-30;6-45
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Mifflinburg: Sean Grodotzke 1-6; Brian Reeder 3-4; Radwill Susan 8-3; Kaiden Kmett 4-3; Dakota Embick 3-9; Cole Reibsome 2-(-20). Selinsgrove: Tucker Teats 10-168, 3 TDs; Brett Rice 9-88, TD; Ethan Miller 4-58; Jarrod Bullington 3-30, TD; Mark Pastore 2-4; Connor Kendziorski 1-1; Andrew Gensumaria 1-(-1); Julien Torres 2-(-3); Rocco Amato 1-(-10); team 2-(-24).
PASSING — Mifflinburg: Reibsome 12-27-5 for 133 yards, TD; Selinsgrove: Pastore 3-8-0 for 27 yards; Amato 3-5-0 for 5 yards.
RECEIVING — Mifflinburg: Jackson Griffith 2-42; Troy Dressler 2-36; Kmett 3-22; Kyler Troup 3-13, TD; Tyler Reigel 1-13; Susan 1-7. Selinsgrove: Andrew Sassaman 1-21; Gavin Bastian 2-6; Mason Vasquez 2-3; Carlos Stutter 2-2.
