Maddox Frantz scores two touchdowns, Purchase Line tops Penns Manor, 35-14

Tagged under: District 6, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

Isaac Markle | September 26, 2026

Feature photo by Greg Ricupero

Coming off of an emphatic victory over West Shamokin, the Purchase Line Red Dragons football team was looking to break their loss-win pattern and begin their first winning streak of the season as they visited the 1-3 Penns Manor Comets. They were able to do just that, walking out with a 35-14 victory over a struggling Comets team.

To start off, the starting Purchase Line defense, which was able to put up a shutout against West Shamokin a week prior, forced a quick punt, which was returned to the Comets 35 by senior Matthew Johnston. This eventually led to a one-yard rushing touchdown by running back Zander Davis, making it 6-0 early on.

On the ensuing Comets drive, a botched snap on the second punt forced by the Dragons defense resulted in a turnover on downs. This allowed Davis to run in his second, this time from four yards out, making it 12-0. Senior running back Micah Lotson ran in the two-point conversion, adding two to the Red Dragons’ score.

Despite a big reception by Penns Manor freshman Zack Mattis, which set the team up inside Purchase Line territory for the first time, Purchase Line was able to shut them down inside the red zone. This set up yet another touchdown run, as junior Maddox Frantz ran it to the house from 79 yards out to make it 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Early on in the second, none other than Frantz picked off a pass from Comets quarterback Andy Jarvie, returning it to the end zone to make it 28-0, where both defenses proceeded to hold up their own and keep it until halftime.

“Our coaches and exterior blocking helped open up a lot of outside runs that got yards,” stated Frantz, “My 79-yard touchdown was a perfect example (of) that. We hit the right spots that opened those plays up.”

To begin the second half, the Purchase Line offense looked to continue its dominance, and a 35-yard run by Johnston set up Lotson for a five-yard touchdown on the ground, making the score 35-0.

In the final quarter, Purchase Line, still with its 35-point lead, took a risk of going for it on fourth and long inside their own territory, which resulted in a turnover on downs. Penns Manor took advantage, as Josh Schleicher ran in the team’s first and only offensive touchdown of the game to make it 35-7.

On the ensuing drive, Schleicher picked up a loose Dragons ball and scored the second defensive touchdown of the game, making it 35-14.

Even though Penns Manor regained possession with under two minutes to play, they eventually decided to wave the white flag and allow the clock to run down, resulting in their third straight loss.

With the win, Purchase Line is over .500 for the first time since the 2023 season, when the current seniors were still freshmen. Meanwhile, Penns Manor has fallen to 1-4, their losing streak extended to three.

Next week, Purchase Line will play their Homecoming game against 4-1 Homer-Center, who came up with a rivalry win of their own against River Valley on Friday night. Meanwhile, Penns Manor will visit the 2-3 Portage Mustangs in search of their first win in almost a month.

Purchase Line junior running back Maddox Frantz takes hand-off (below) (SARA AIKENS-FRENO PHOTO)