Hempfield Survives Late Scare, Wins OT Thriller
Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, pfn, WPIAL
Brett Gombita | September 26, 2026
A game winning touchdown run from senior quarterback Carden Lippman in overtime propelled the Hempfield Spartans over the Canon-McMillan Big Macs, 38-34.
Game winner! @PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard @WPIAL_Insider pic.twitter.com/r1AovD8E09
— Brett Gombita (@Brett_Gombita) September 26, 2026
Tied 31-31 after regulation, Hempfield was able to limit Canon-Mac to a field goal on the opening drive of overtime.
The Big Macs improbably forced overtime, getting the ball back with no timeouts and 71 seconds left, needing to drive 67 yards for the tying score. The drive came off a Hempfield punt after a span of three plays that included a botched snap, an incomplete pass and a run out of bounds on third down while the Spartans were trying to put the game away.
With 25 seconds left, Canon-Mac senior quarterback Ty Jansma connected with senior wideout Roman Cimarolli, who fought off two Hempfield defenders to make a juggling catch at the 5-yard line, who stayed upright to reach the end zone.
Ty Jansma to Roman Cimarolli. Magical@PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard @WPIAL_Insider pic.twitter.com/LrrELqBIzv
— Brett Gombita (@Brett_Gombita) September 26, 2026
Hempfield led 13-10 at halftime before Cimarolli returned the second half’s opening kickoff for a touchdown, making it 17-13. A Hempfield field goal, followed by senior Andrew Bentz’s second touchdown of the game, gave them the 24-17 lead.
Bentz’s eventual third touchdown, his second receiving, made it 31-24 before Jansma and Cimarolli’s magic forced overtime.
Lippmann finished with three passing touchdowns and one rushing, that being the game-winner.
Senior wideout Lucas Simmons finished with six catches and a touchdown.
The win for Hempfield puts the Spartans at 2-3, one week after a tough 14-7 loss to North Allegheny. The Spartans stay home to host Seneca Valley. Canon-Mac falls to 2-3, and travels to North Allegheny next week.
