North Hills head coach Jack McCurry stresses improvement each week, learning from mistakes and overall improvement to his players.

Against Connellsville, he saw all of that, as the Indians rebounded from a loss to McKeesport to crush Connellsville 49-0.

"We didn't do well in the first game, so we made a few changes because we wanted some kids to play better," McCurry said. "This week our tackling was better and our blocking was better."

Better blocking allowed the Indians to rip it up on the ground, as Ed Reith rushed for 94 yards and three touchdowns on six carries, Max Creighan rushed for 82 yards and Nick Panucci added 31 yards and a touchdown. Devin Zangaro saw some action early, and his 21-yard touchdown scamper made the game 14-0 in favor of the Indians.

The improved blocking also healped quarterback Justin Heinauer. He only threw three passes, but completed two of them for 52 yards and a touchdown pass of 58 yards to Brennan Prokopec.

The offensive explosion put the defense on the field for an extended time, but the unit responded with a shutout and more precise tackling.

The special teams also got in on the action, as Ryan Welsh returned a punt 85 yards for a score.

"We got a lot of kids in and were able to evaluate them against other talent," McCurry said.

The evaluation will be important, as the Indians will head to unfriendly territory in Penn Hills to take on the Indians on Friday, Sept. 14, at 7:30 p.m.

"They lost a heart-breaker to Bethel Park last week," McCurry said. "Their back is to the wall."

An 0-2 start, the tough loss to Bethel Park and playing at home makes Penn Hills a dangerous foe.

McCurry said the Penn Hills receivers will pose a match-up problem for his squad, so it will be important for the North Hills secondary to be fundamentally sound and make tackles immediately.

"On offense we will try to control the ball," McCurry said. "If we can do that, we have a chance."

McCurry has sent a message to his players about improving each week and learning from their mistakes. They responded this week and he hopes that continues.

"We all make mistakes," he said. "Learn from them and make progress. If we do that we will be a better football team and the wins will take care of themselves."