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Executive Power: Raptors Use Big Plays to Notch First Playoff Victory at Lysek Field

 
Tagged under: District 11, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

| November 6, 2026

Lysek Field was abuzz one more time this season for the Executive Education home playoff bout with Palmerton. The Raptors did not disappoint in a 41-19 victory that saw the offense account for five touchdowns of 35 or more yards, including a Shawntez Whitsitt 93-yard keeper that helped break things open in the second quarter.

Neither side’s first possession went great. Executive was forced to punt on 4th & 8. Palmerton’s offense lost 17 yards back to their own 3 on a misfired pitch in the backfield. The Bombers did get a 23-yard completion from TK Gursky to Gaven Meisxell, but three plays later, had lost two yards and had to boot the ball away. The punt snap was mishandled, resulting in a 12-yard kick.

For the second straight possession to open the game, the Raptors opened up in plus territory at the Bombers’ 40. Two plays later, Lezius Bravo got behind Meixsell and caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in stride from Whitsitt for the first score of the night. The Raptors went for two and took the 8-0 lead with 7:20 to go in the first.

Palmerton answered right back. Two plays into their ensuing drive, TK Gursky connected with Conner Lawless over the middle for about ten yards; Lawless took off from there, outpacing two Raptor defenders into the end zone for the 61-yard score. Palmerton’s two point conversion was unsuccessful, but the Bombers were on the board trailing 8-6.

Palmerton then got a golden opportunity when Cooper Henry recovered a fumble, setting up Palmerton on the Executive 12. One play later, Palmerton had scored, but a penalty brought the ball back to the 17. From there, the defense held, and the Bombers attempted a 22-yard field goal. Dexter Conner came around the right side unchecked and blocked the kick. Three plays later, he was on the receiving end of a 72-yard touchdown strike down the left sideline, trucking his way into the end zone. After one, Executive led 15-6.

Plagued by mistakes, Palmerton’s offense sputtered one more time and a holding call moved the ball back near their own 40. The ensuing punt was returned 30 yards by Conner, but a block in the back put Executive at its own 7. On a 3rd & 10 call, Whitsitt dropped back into his own end zone. As the pocket broke down, he had an opportunity to fire deep, but kept it up the middle, ultimately going the distance for a 94-yard score.

With :44 to go in the half, Cale Young caught a pass down the sideline for an 8-yard score. That capped a nine play drive–the longest by either team all night long. At half, Executive led 22-12 and had outgained Palmerton by 60 yards.

Palmerton got the ball first in the second half and drove right down the field inside the Executive 30. However, after making major gains via the legs of Lawless, a 4th & 2 call netted no gain and a turnover on downs. Shawntez Whitsitt put a stranglehold on the game when he found the edge for 27 yards and then kept it for a 7-yard touchdown. Midway through the third, Executive was ahead 28-12.

There was no quit in the Blue Bombers. Gursky took a deep shot on first down, hitting Lawless wide open in the secondary for a 40-yard touchdown.

But just nine seconds later, the Raptors squashed any last thoughts of a Palmerton rally. Whitsitt loaded up and tossed one deep to Kohbe Davis, who cruised in for the score. With three quarters in the books, Executive led 35-18.

Ayden Ramos put the final nail in the coffin when he blasted through the line for a 57-yard touchdown to get the home fans partying in the stands.

Shawntez Whitsitt accounted for five scores on the night–three through the air and two on the ground, as Executive balanced its attack well and kept the pressure on Palmerton most of the night.

The Raptors will now advance to face Northwestern Lehigh next weekend, while the season comes to a close for Palmerton. Palmerton will say goodbye to star seniors Cale Young and Connor Lawless/

 

 

Executive Education 41, Palmerton 18

Score by Quarters

Palmerton – 6 6 6 0 – 18

Executive Education – 15 7 13 6 – 41

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

E – Bravo 35-yd catch from Whitsitt(), 7:20 2-40

P – Lawless 61-yd catch from Gursky(), 6:20 2-67

E – Connor 72-yd catch from Whitsitt(Lavela kick), 1:42 3-80

Second Quarter

E – Whitsitt 94-yd run(Lavela kick), 10:05 3-94

P – Young 8-yd catch from Gursky(), :48 9-53

Third Quarter

E – Whitsitt 7-yd run(kick failed), 5:31 6-69

P – Lawless 40-yd catch from Gursky(), 2:07 6-63

E – Davis 65-yd catch from Whitsitt(Lavela kick), 1:58 1-65

Fourth Quarter

E – Ramos 57-yd run(kick failed), 8:42 1-57

 

Passing: P – Gursky 10-22-177-3-0; E – Whitsitt 6-12-171-3-0

Rushing: P – Lawless 22-103, Gursky 8-(-7), TEAM 1-(-17), Garey 1-14, Negley 1-12; E – Ramos 16-112-1, Connor 2-10, Whitsitt 7-137-2

Receiving: P – Lawless 4-117-2, Young 4-25-1, Meixsell 1-23, Negley 1-12; E – Bravo 1-35-1, Connor 1-72-1, Kohler 2-3, Davis 1-65-1, Whitsitt 1-(-2)

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