The DeLuca Dome: Armstrong Looks to Win 5th Straight Against Franklin Regional
The River Hawks look to improve to 5-0 as they will take on the Franklin Regional Panthers (1-2). #81 James Cessna caught his first TD of the season last week & will be looking for more this week. (Photo Cred: Donna Bosco)
by Jake DeLuca
The Armstrong River Hawks varsity football squad has been on quite a tear to start the season, posting a 4-0 overall record and a 3-0 divisional record with their latest win coming at home against Gateway by a final score of 35-21.
This week the River Hawks hope to carry the success of those victories with them as they host the Franklin Regional Panthers on Friday.
After starting out the season 3-0 on the road the River Hawks will now host their second consecutive home game.
During the game against Gateway last week QB Michael Lhote went down with an injury. Luckily he was able to make a return later in the game and is slated to start this Friday.
Lhote returning is crucial as he comes off perhaps his best varsity game against Gateway where he threw a pair of TD passes to Shawn Giddings and James Cessna.
Zane Dudek should be able to add to his WPIAL leading rushing yards (1,201 yards) and touchdowns (18). So far this season as Franklin Regional has allowed a 100 yard rusher in each of their losses.
Franklin Regional comes into this match-up with a 1-2 record, with losses against McKeesport 14-7 (Armstrong defeated McKeesport 43-42 in OT) and Kiski Area 24-14.
On the bright side for the Panthers, they were able to get their first win of the season last week against the 0-3 Plum Mustangs, with the final score being 28-12.
In the Panthers win against Plum their QB Sam Behr was the bright point. Behr completed 9/14 passes while throwing for three touchdowns and one interception. Behr also lead the team in rushing last week with 70 yards and was able to make up for his thrown interception when he took an interception return all the way back for a touchdown on defense.
Defensively for the Panthers, a player to watch for is their middle-linebacker Bryce Lauer. In the first three games of the Panthers season Lauer has already piled up 48 tackles, including a very impressive 22 tackle performance against McKeesport.
As always, if you can’t make it to the game you can tune in live on WTYM 1380 AM, the WTYM mobile App, and WTYMradio.com
Local Sports | Jake DeLuca September 22, 2016
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