Published: September 12, 2009 01:10 am      

Johnstown notches 600th career victory with rout of Cambria Heights

JOHNSTOWN — Another milestone chapter in the history of Johnstown High School football was written Friday night as the Trojans captured the program’s 600th win with a convincing 53-0 victory over visiting Cambria Heights.

“This was a win we’d like to dedicate to all the past Trojans,” Johnstown coach Kevin Marabito said. “This is a tribute to everyone who ever played or coached here.”

Beginning with their first win over South Fork in 1898, the Trojans are now the 19th Pennsylvania high school program and only the second in District 6 (joining Huntingdon) to reach this milestone.

Johnstown (1-1) overwhelmed the Highlanders (0-2) from the start, capitalizing on six first-half Cambria Heights turnovers while generating 248 yards of total offense in the first two quarters.

“Everything just fell into place for us,” Marabito said. “The offense was clicking, the defense was forcing turnovers, and basically everything went our way.”

Trojans quarterback John Siciliano rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another score, while rushing for 85 yards on just seven carries.

“There’s a lot of pride and tradition here, and we’re proud to be a part of the 600th win,” Siciliano said. “We played as a team tonight.”

Johnstown forced three fumbles and picked off three Highlanders passes, with LaQuinn Stephens-Howling and Richard Agurs each returning an interception for a touchdown.

“You’re not going to have any chance to win a game turning the ball over like that,” said Highlanders coach Justin Myers.

“Johnstown’s a very strong program, and the 600 wins proves that. They played well, but we’re just going to have to get back to work and keep trying to improve.”

The Trojans scored on the game’s opening series, as Siciliano eluded several tackles and raced 45 yards to the end zone to cap off a 65-yard drive. Oskar Almgren’s first of five extra points put Johnstown up 7-0.

Marcus Seals recovered a fumble at the Cambria Heights 21, and four plays later Kashmir Pretlor scored from 5 yards out.

Cambria Heights fumbled again on the ensuing series at the Highlanders 40, and Siciliano subsequently added to the Johnstown lead with a 22-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Agurs.

The third consecutive Cambria Heights turnover turned into another Trojans score as Stephens-Howling returned an interception 40 yards, giving Johnstown a 27-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Johnstown kept the pressure on in the second quarter, scoring four more touchdowns in less than five minutes. The Trojans were aided by two more Cambria Heights turnovers.

After Siciliano dashed in from 21 yards out on the initial play of the second quarter, Daveon Simms recovered a fumble at the Highlanders 20. Two plays later, Siciliano scored again.

Rushes of 34 yards by Gerald Jones and 23 yards by Simms set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Jones at the 9:09 mark, and on the following Highlanders possession Agurs completed the Johns-town onslaught with a 43-yard interception return.

“Last week, we came out and didn’t show a lot of confidence on offense,” said Marabito. “(Friday night), our skill kids made some big plays and proved the type of offense they can be.”