The Penncrest Lions Pull Away In Fashion During Their Home Opener Vs The Sun Valley Vanguards

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News

Ted Podberesky | August 24, 2024

The brisk cool air settled the evening tonight as the Penncrest Lions hosted the Sun Valley Vanguards at Louis Scott Field to start off the first week of High School football. Over the years the Lions and the Vanguards have formed a rivalry. Tonight was no different, emotions ran high and players wore their heart across their sleeve. Penncrest went 5-6 last year following a playoff berth against Marple while Sun Valley finished their year 3-8 looking to bounce back and improve from their last season. Penncrest took home a win against Sun Valley last year and tonight was no different, showing out for their home crowd the Lions took a week one win over the Vanguards beating them 33-20.

Sun Valley started with the ball as Junior quarterback RJ Scharrer led his team out onto the field. The first drive for the Vanguards didn’t go as planned having to punt after a quick three and out, which resulted in the Lions tackling the punter before he even got a chance to get it away. Penncrest quickly drove down the field into their opponents territory before being stood up at the goal line, Senior linebacker Ryder Strickland was able to punch the ball out where his teammates recovered.

After another three and out Sun Valley elected to punt again. This time getting it away, but into the hands of receiver Anthony Coia who found blockers up the side line and slithered his way into the end zone for Penncrest’s first points of the season. After a blocked extra point, the Vanguards offense started to click with big plays. Senior wide receiver Josh Yanonis found himself in one on one coverage which resulted in Scharrer letting it fly for an 80 yard touchdown. Sun Valley missed the extra point and the game was even at 6-6 with six minutes to go in the first.

Vanguards Nick Nolek kicked off to the bottom of the field which caused some confusion between Lions players with who would grab the ball. After a couple seconds Garrett Clark scooped the ball up and headed to the promise land weaving and bobbing through defenders until he found himself running with clear green grass ahead. Clark scored an 85 yard kick return touchdown to put the Lions over the Vanguards 13-6.

With four minutes remaining in the 1st, Sun Valley opened up their pass game once again. Yanonis was a threat on the outside torching his man on the go route and picking up 67 yards. In enemy territory the Vanguards looked towards the run game handing the ball off to Senior running back Jack Penzone. Penzone and Yanonis brought their team close enough to where Scharrer was able to squeeze his way into the end zone on a one yard run.

Penncrest received the ball with two minutes remaining up 13-12 on the Vanguards. After a few tough runs by running backs Sean Benson and Albert Dada the Lions were faced with a 4th down. Penncrest relied on their defense and punted the ball bringing the game into the second quarter.

The Vanguards drove down the field methodically into Lions territory, before having to play perfect coverage on 4th down where Scharrer took a sack in the backfield. After a couple back and forth punts, holes started to open up more for Lions quarterback Paul Graham. Graham chipped away at small runs before finding a gaping hole and jetting down the middle of the field for a 70 yard touchdown run. Pushing Penncrest’s lead to 20-13 with seven minutes remaining in the 2nd.

A turnover on downs gave the Lions the ball back with little time left. However, new quarterback Zach Mullin stepped in and was able to stretch the field just enough to let Graham come back in and finish the job with a one yard rushing touchdown just before heading into halftime with a lead of 27-13.

Penncrest received the ball to start the second half, which resulted in a first play fumble where Ryder Strickland recovered for Sun Valley. After a strong run by Rocco Radico and some nice catches from receiver Jhamil Smith the Vanguards were set up inside within scoring distance. Scharrer and tight end Aidan Cook were able to hook up on a 5 yard touchdown after Cook made a nice move on a short out route and was able to turn up field.

When Penncrest received the ball again they made sure to take their time, playing smash mouth football all the way down the field. After some mean, downhill runs from Albert Dada and Dylan McCrary the Lions were faced with a short 4th down decision. The Vanguards blitzed down the middle on 4th down predicting a run inside and blowing back Penncrest’s offensive line and getting into the backfield to stop the conversion.

With the fourth quarter coming to an end, Penncrest continued to lead Sun Valley despite their touchdown 27-20. After multiple defensive stops from each team the Lions finally got a chance to put Sun Valley away with six minutes remaining in the 4th. Running back Asher Wynee helped contribute to a big drive as well as Albert Dada. Penncrest got their moment when Paul Graham rushed to the outside on a keeper play and dove for the end zone getting in on a ten yard run.

The Vanguards tried to drive down the field but had little time left to work with, Scharrer completed a couple passes to his receivers Josh Yanonis and Jhamil Smith before being swallowed up in the back field on back to back sacks on third and fourth down.

Penncrest Lions took over and kneeled down to seal their victory in their home opener vs the Sun Valley Vanguards 33-20.

Penncrest Lions Quarterback Paul Graham who had 3 rushing touchdowns was clear stating that, ” Sun Valley always has a tough group of guys and we love competing against them each year week one. We still have to clean up some little things but I know how hard everyone works here and I know we’ll get after it. Shout out to the band when they play On Wisconsin, that’s how we know we’re doing good. “

Sun Valley’s Wide Receiver Josh Yanonis who had over 200+ yards receiving to pair with a touchdown commented that, ” I can assure you we will still have the same goals next week even after this loss, with this group of guys I believe we can help push each other and become better and well prepared. Accountability is very important in this game, due to the expectations set the upperclassmen including myself need to be leaders and not followers. “

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