Downingtown East Bests State College in Thriller.
Tagged under: District 1, District 6, Gameday Hub, News
Todd Ross | September 1, 2023
Just like last year’s matchup, this one went down to the last play as State College lined up for a 50 yard field goal but was just short on the kick. Downingtown earned this hard fought win 28-26 thanks to a strong performance from Ayden Harris and the Cougar offensive line.
After a few punts back and forth the Cougars got on the board first with a 9 yard Ayden Harris touchdown. That would be the only score of the first quarter.
State College would answer back early in the second quarter with a 70 yard touchdown from quarterback Eddie Corkery to wide receiver Ty Salazer to make it a tie ball game.
Downingtown and Ayden Harris would respond shortly after with another rushing touchdown, this one from 3 yards away giving them the lead back, 14-7.
Just before the end of the first half Downingtown would again build on their lead this time thanks to a 46 yard Owen Lammy touchdown reception increasing the lead to 14 points.
The second half’s scoring started with Ayden Harris’s third touchdown of the game halfway through the third quarter extending the Cougars lead to 28-7.
State College would battle back late in the third quarter after another Eddie Corkery touchdown pass to Ty Salazer. The 13 yard score cut Downingtown’s lead to 14 with a little over a quarter left to play.
State College would follow that up with another score as Michael Gaul would leap up to haul in a touchdown pass in the endzone, making it 20-28 after a blocked extra point.
The Little Lions would force a fumble and for the third time Eddie Corkery found Ty Salazer for 6 points but would fail to convert the two pointer.
State College was given one final chance after a huge 4th down stop but could not cross the bar on the 50 yarder.
I also got a chance to catch up with Coach Michael Matta and running back Ayden Harris post game, from coach Matta
“It took every bit of faith and belief in this program. We had our backs against the wall and they never gave in”
when asked about the dynamic partnership of running back Ayden Harris and the O line he said this
“The O-Line has 100% faith, he moved in in the middle of March and he jumped right in the offensive linemen they always say your our back.”
Ayden Harris would echo those comments
“It was exciting man to know my brothers had my back, they pride on family here and I have a family. When I was down my brothers picked me up”
Both of these teams played a great game and have a lot of good football still to be played this season.
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