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Sharpsville rallies past Mercyhurst Prep

Tagged under: District 10, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

| November 12, 2022


Farrell – Cauliin Summers’ 24-yard touchdown run with 2:07 to play propelled Sharpsville to a 21-14 come-from-behind victory over Mercyhurst Prep.

“Our defense played well all game, so there is no fault there,” said Sharpsville head coach Paul Piccirilli. “Offensively, we couldn’t get anything going. We couldn’t run or throw the ball. They gave us different looks, which worked for them, but thankfully we made some adjustments at halftime, and it paid off.

Trailing 14-7, Sharpsville scored two touchdowns in the final 8:23 to rally past the Lakers and advance to the District X title game next weekend against Farrell.

The Blue Devils tied the game on Summers’ 1-yard run with 8:23 to play following an 11-play 62-yard drive. Summers then connected with Blaze Campbell on the conversion pass.

Following a fumble recovery on defense, Sharpsville took over at their 41-yard line with 5:37 to play. Seven plays later, Caullin Summers broke free for the game-winning 24-yard touchdown.

 

“The biggest thing on that drive was that we were winning on first down by getting around five yards,” Piccirilli said. “Caullin does what he does. If he can’t throw the ball, then he runs it well. I have to give our line credit. They did the job, and thank goodness we found a way.”

Summers scored all three touchdowns for the Blue Devils, including his 4-yard run that opened the scoring in the first quarter.

Caullin Summers finished the night with 71 yards on 20 carries while completing 8-of-15 passes for 82 yards.

After scoring on their opening drive, Sharpsville had a great chance to increase their lead in the first quarter when Garen Levis intercepted a David Bahm pass and returned it to the Lakers’ 4-yard line.

However, the Mercyhurst Prep defense stood tall for four plays stopping Summers for a 4-yard loss on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.

Sharpsville’s next venture into the red zone proved even more costly as they elected to go for a gadget play where wide receiver Dalton Byerly attempted to throw back to quarterback Caullin Summers but reading the play was freshman Paul Johnson, who intercepted the pass and returned 82 yards for a touchdown.

Mercyhurst Prep would hold a 7-6 lead at halftime.

 

“I’m proud of this team; we a young and probably a year away from really being in this position because we’ve been stealing a couple of games this year,” said Mercyhurst Prep head coach Jeff Root. “We’ve played good enough to win our games, and anytime you can compete with Mercer County it says a lot about your team. We just couldn’t hold on at the end, I’m disappointed in the score but not in my kids.”

The Lakers would increase their lead midway through the third quarter when Bahm connected with Stephen Grayson for a 37-yard touchdown. Bahm completed 9-of-17 passes for 94 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Mercyhurst Prep had a great chance two go up two scores following a fumble recovery; however, late in the third quarter, Garrett McGuire’s 45-yard field goal attempt was blocked, thus leading to Sharpsville’s game-tying drive.

“At first, I didn’t realize that was the turning point, but then I did,” Root said. “We knew McGuire had the leg for that and the wind, but they got a good rush and made a play. But they still had to drive the length of the field, we had the momentum, but they took it back on that play.”

The Lakers finish their season at 7-5.

“These seniors came in as a playoff team then had to deal with two tough years of Covid,” concluded Root. “Those kids have given us everything and will be young men at whatever they choose to do.”

Sharpsville improves to 9-2 on the season and will meet Farrell for the District X championship next weekend. The Steelers beat the Blue Devils 48-7 on October 7th.

“Farrell is cut above everybody else, but you know what? You have to play the game, and I’ve seen a lot of upset life,” concluded Piccirilli. “If we have 12 or 13 breaks, anything can happen.”

Game Highlights:

 

Sharpsville 21 Mercyhurst Prep 14

Score by Quarters

Mercyhurst Prep – 0 7 7 0 – 14

Sharpsville – 6 0 0 15 – 21

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

S – Caullin Summers 4 yd run, (kick failed), 7:49

Second Quarter

MP – Paul Johnson 82 yd interception return, (Garrett McGuire pat), 11:00

Third Quarter

MP – Stephen Grayson 37 yd pass from David Bahm, (McGuire pat), 6:05

Fourth Quarter

S – Caullin Summers 1 yd run, (Blaze Campbell from Summers), 8:23

S – Caullin Summers 24 yd run, (Liam Campbell pat), 2:07

Individual Stats

Rushing: MP – Jeremy Ganska 14-57, David Bahm 9-19, Jesse Jong 2-(-11). Totals: 25-65. Sharpsville – Braedon Summers 9-37, Caullin Summers 25-71, Jaiden White 3-8, Christian Synder 2-5, Team 2-0. Totals: 41-121.

Receiving: MP – Grayson 3-55, Ganska 2-11, Ja’son Ellman 2-9, Josh Wingenbach 1-13, Malakiah Riley 1-6. Sharpsville – Garen Levis 2-25, Dalton Byerly 1-15, Braedon Summers 3-30, Killian Whelan 1-7, Snyder 1-5.

Passing: MP – Bahm 9-for-17, 94 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT. Sharpsville – Caullin Summers 8-for-15, 82 yards, Byerly 0-for-1, 1 INT.

Interceptions: Mercyhurst Prep – Johnson. Sharpsville – Levis, Kelvin McCullough.

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