Norwin notebook: Knights establish ground game in win over Latrobe

Norwin saw vast improvement from Week 1 to 2 of the football season, and Potter Brozeski thought he and his teammates were onto something.

“We didn’t perform to our ability (against Penn-Trafford in Week 1),” said Brozeski, a receiver and defensive back. “We knew we’re better that what we showed.”

After a 31-7 loss to Penn-Trafford where the Knights were flat and inconsistent, they were equally as sharp and dominant in a 38-28 win on Week 2 at Latrobe.

“We had guys playing defense who didn’t have any experience,” Brozeski said. “It shows how we’re all doing whatever we can to help the team. We have guys playing (both ways). I put my heart into every play on the field for my brothers.”

The Latrobe win was all about Norwin (1-1) reestablishing its identity of running the football with authority. The Knights owned time of possession and the lion’s share of plays – 89 to Latrobe’s 35 – and amassed 387 rushing yards.

Bell cow back Giovonni Rothrauff carried a career-high 44 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns, and first-year quarterback Max Ritz addd 126 yards and two scores. (He also passed for 124 and a TD.)

Norwin won the battle at the line of scrimmage, pushing the improved Wildctas down the field.

“Business as usual,” Knights coach Mike Brown said. “That is how we want to play. That is what we expect from (Rothrauff). Max made some really good decisions.”

Rothrauff also caught his first touchdown, hauling in a first-half score from Ritz.

“(Week 1) gave is a chip on our shoulder,” he said.

The Norwin girls soccer team is feeling the new no-overtime rule. With OT gone from the regular season — it will return for the playoffs — the Knights played three consecutive ties to start the season.

The third one was a 3-3 deadlock against rival Penn-Trafford. Norwin took a 3-1 lead before the Warriors rallied to pull even.

Siena Ali, Ava Usk and Leesia Phetsomphou scored for Norwin. Phetsomphou’s goal came on a penalty kick.

The Norwin boys soccer team moved to 2-0-1 with a 2-0 victory at rival Penn-Trafford. Alex Petrisko and Joey Walton had goals for the Knights, and Reed Hoyle and the back line posted the shutout.

Norwin freshman Nicholas Varhola finished 11th (18:52.49), and classmate Luca Holderbaum was right behind him at 12th (18:55.55), as Norwin cross country competed at the Gateway Invitational at Boyce Park in Monroeville.

Norwin rolled out many of its younger runners at the event.

In the girls race, Knights’ sophomore Mia Telli (22:37.83) and juniors Faith Shepherd (22.48.15) and Molly Edwards (22.51.12) finished 14th, 15th and 16th.

Junior Claire Sherman was also inside the top 20, at 18th (23.04.84).

Updates on Norwin athletes competing at the college level.

Lehigh: Freshman Josh Lenart had five tackles, including two for loss, and junior Luke Denny added two tackles for loss and a pass breakup as Lehigh dumped Georgetown, 45-14.

Miami (Ohio): Redshirt sophomore defensive back Jackson Pons made five tackles off the bench for the Redhawks in a season-opening 59-14 loss to Pitt, his first action since returning from an injury that cost him last season.

Washington & Jefferson: Senior defensive lineman Nathaniel Kadosh-Harris had nine tackles, one for loss, as the Presidents fell to Utica, 26-11.

Geneva: Senior Ryan Edwards carded a top-five finish at the Westminster Invitational in New Castle. He tied for fifth place with a round of 75, making four birdies.

Gannon: Sophomore Anna Rakvic finished 46th to round out the team scoring at the Doug Watts Open at Edinboro. Her time was 22 minutes, 8.70 seconds. Gannon finished third in the team standings.