Capped off by one of the most dazzling individual performances of the 2008 season, Yough defeated Greensburg Salem, 36-27, on Friday night at Offut Field in a Class AAA Keystone Conference showdown.
It was truly “The Benny Hoffer Show” as the Yough running back steamrolled to 256 yards and three touchdowns against the Greensburg Salem defense. While Hoffer didn’t score his first touchdown until the 4th quarter, he contributed in a number of ways, both offensively and defensively. Hoffer’s touchdown runs were of 60 yards, 55 yards and 17 yards, respectively.
Even though Yough picked up the victory, Salem started the scoring when Fagert rushed for a one-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Yough answered when quarterback Mike Bashioum rushed for a nine-yard touchdown in the second quarter. After a Yough field goal, Cougars running back Bob Bridge scampered for a 7-yard touchdown run to end the half.
Salem picked up some momentum early in the second half when tight-end
Vinnie Mongeluzzo caught an 8-yard strike from Fagert. Running back Matt Adams rushed for a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the effort was enough as Yough picked up the road victory.
Salems’ Danny Cesare left the game on a stretcher in the fourth quarter, but was released from the hospital later that night and is expected to play this weekend.
Yough now holds sole possession of first place in the Keystone Conference with the win.