By Jay Monahan

For Times Leader

Scranton Prep running back Ricky Morgan (15) fends off Dallas’ Jack Tomko (11) during Saturday’s game at Scranton Memorial Stadium.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL111515HSF-Dallas-Prep4.jpg.optimal.jpgScranton Prep running back Ricky Morgan (15) fends off Dallas’ Jack Tomko (11) during Saturday’s game at Scranton Memorial Stadium.

Dallas running back David Simpson (34) is met with Scranton Prep’s Braden Burrier (35) to stop him during Saturday’s game at Scranton Memorial Stadium on Saturday. 11/14/15. Sean McKeag | Times Leader
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL111515HSF-Dallas-Prep5.jpg.optimal.jpgDallas running back David Simpson (34) is met with Scranton Prep’s Braden Burrier (35) to stop him during Saturday’s game at Scranton Memorial Stadium on Saturday. 11/14/15. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Scranton Prep’s Kevin Holmes (11) covers Dallas wide receiver Tanner Gattuso (14) as he attempts a pass during Saturday’s game at Scranton Memorial Stadium. 11/14/15. Sean McKeag | Times Leader
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL111515HSF-Dallas-Prep3.jpg.optimal.jpgScranton Prep’s Kevin Holmes (11) covers Dallas wide receiver Tanner Gattuso (14) as he attempts a pass during Saturday’s game at Scranton Memorial Stadium. 11/14/15. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Scranton Prep’s Will Mulligan (7), left, and Braden Burrier (35) double-team Dallas running back Bret Storrs (24) at Scranton Memorial Stadium on Saturday. 11/14/15. Sean McKeag | Times Leader
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL111515HSF-Dallas-Prep1.jpg.optimal.jpgScranton Prep’s Will Mulligan (7), left, and Braden Burrier (35) double-team Dallas running back Bret Storrs (24) at Scranton Memorial Stadium on Saturday. 11/14/15. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Scranton Prep’s Mario Giannone (21) grabs the legs of Dallas wide receiver Christian Roberts (21) at Scranton Memorial Stadium on Saturday. 11/14/15. Sean McKeag | Times Leader
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL111515HSF-Dallas-Prep2.jpg.optimal.jpgScranton Prep’s Mario Giannone (21) grabs the legs of Dallas wide receiver Christian Roberts (21) at Scranton Memorial Stadium on Saturday. 11/14/15. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

SCRANTON — Dallas’ underdog role finally ran out of gas Saturday. Or, to be metaphorically consistent, the engine barely started.

Scranton Prep smothered the Mountaineers offense in a 28-2 victory in the District 2 Class 3A semifinals Saturday. The top-seeded Cavaliers advance to face Berwick for the district championship.

There was no jump starting a Dallas offense that mustered just 21 yards of offense in the first half. The Mountaineers failed to move the chains by means of their own offensive progress until the third quarter.

“I said it last week, they are going to be sound fundamentally,” Dallas coach Rich Mannello said. “They’re going to be great weight lifters, stout on both sides of the ball. I know when I turn on that film tonight, we weren’t able to move them.”

The loss punches the clock on a David-like second half of the season for the Mountaineers (6-5). Dallas lost three of its first four games of the year – each of them coming down to the wire. Mannello’s squad bounced back to win five of its final six with the lone loss to undefeated Wyoming Valley West. Upset victories over Williamsport, Wyoming Area and then-undefeated Lake-Lehman improbably propelled them into the district playoffs.

“This group started 1-3 and came back and kept fighting, grinding and lifting weights,” Mannello said. “That culture is set now. Now, we have to take it to the next level. This senior class started in February, and they’re a great group.”

In total, Dallas managed to gain 108 yards of total offense, a fair percentage of that coming in garbage time. Tanner Gattuso had three receptions. On 27 carries, Dallas gained 33 yards.

“We have to be able to run the football,” Mannello said. “It’s what we do. Everything comes off of that. They did a nice job of defending us. So, hats off to them.”

Scranton Prep methodically bulldozed over the Dallas rush defense. Ricky Morgan ran for a 31-yard touchdown within the first 2:30 of the game. He took the ball 23 times for 100 yards.

The Cavs had two outstanding catches highlight their next two touchdown drives. Wesley Simons caught a 27-yard score between two defenders’ hands in the end zone to go ahead 14-0. Later in the second half, on a double-reverse pass, Mario Giannone made a 41-yard one-handed overhead catch while falling down onto the turf. That set up a Kevin Holmes sneak for a touchdown.

Dallas’ only points of the game came following a great boot from its punter that pinned Prep to the 1-yard line. Two plays later, Ryan Martin and Cole Dixon swarmed Holmes in the back of the end zone for a safety.

The Mountaineers finally started to gain momentum on the first drive of the second half. Quarterback Matt Harrison’s throw was picked off by Holmes in the red zone to end the threat. It was Holmes’ fifth interception in three games. Offensively, Holmes completed all seven passing attempts for 134 yards.

Scranton Prep 28, Dallas 2

Dallas`0`0`2`0`—`2

Scranton Prep`14`7`0`7`—`28

First quarter

SP — Ricky Morgan 31 run (Biagio D’Appolino kick), 9:31

SP — Wesley Simons 27 pass from Kevin Holmes (D’Appolino kick), 1:52

Second quarter

SP — Holmes 2 run (D’Appolino kick), 4:48

Third quarter

DAL — Ryan Martin and Cole Dixon safety, 3:54

Fourth quarter

SP — Will Mulligan 8 pass from Holmes (D’Appolino kick), 6:57

Team statistics`D`S

First downs`8`14

Rushes-yards`27-33`39-139

Passing yards`75`134

Total yards`108`273

Passing`9-21-2`7-7-0

Sacked-yards lost`4-21`1-1

Punts-avg.`6-34.5`3-38

Fumbles-lost`2-0`0-0

Penalties-yards`1-10`4-50

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — DAL, Bret Storrs 10-30, Matt Harrison 14-(minus-6), David Simpson 3-9. SP, Morgan 23-100, Holmes 7-11, Tyler Stafursky 3-20, David Horvath 1-0, Ivan Balavage 2-9, TEAM 1-(minus-2)

PASSING — DAL, Harrison 9-21-2-75. SP, Holmes 7-7-0-134

RECEIVING —DAL, Tanner Gattuso 3-17, Stone Mannello 1-7, Martin 2-25, Christian Roberts 1-9, Jack Tomko 1-16, Simpson 1-2. SP, Horvath 1-5, Simons 1-27, Chris O’Brien 2-37, Mario Giannone 1-41, Jake Grady 1-16, Mulligan 1-8

INTERCEPTIONS — SP, Holmes 1-5, Giannone 1-0

MISSED FGs — None.

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