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MIDDLETOWN ROLLS INTO ANOTHER STATE FINAL AT FAMILIAR FOE’S EXPENSE. @MtownRaiders

Tagged under: District 2, District 3, News

| December 1, 2018


BETHLEHEM- Friday night at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium was supposed to be the night that the Cavaliers of Scranton Prep were to finally get over the hump, that has been the Blue Raiders of Middletown, to advance to their first trip to a state 3A championship game in Hershey and join their fellow District 2 1A Champions Lackawanna Trail on that journey to glory. But, Middletown had thier focus set on getting back to Hershey for the third straight year at the expense, once again of the Cavaliers, as at the end of the night the scoreboard read Middletown 35 Scranton Prep 21.

Middletown scored the first 28 points of the contest before a late rally by Prep came up short. The scoring got started early as Prep elected to receive the opening kickoff after winning the coin toss, but three plays only netted two yards and they were forced to punt, the snap sailed over the head of Alek Buttner at the twelve, as the ball rolled into the end zone it was recovered by Adonis Tavares with 10:28 showing on the clock for a 7-0 lead.

Running back Jose Lopez then dashed for a 59 yard score at the 3:21 mark of the opening quarter. Lopez finished the night with 218 yards on 23 carries and 2 scores. Richie Sykes then caught a 23 yard scoring pass from Scott Ash with under minute laft in the half making the score 21-0 at intermission.

The third quarter opened with Middletown haviong the ball 2 plays into thier drive Sykes took a handoff found some space and outran the Cavalier defens for a 60 yard score making it a 28-0 lead with 11:17 left in the quarter. Scranton Prep had their chances to cut into the deficiet but two drives stalled inside the Blue Raider ten yard line. The Cavaliers got on the scoreboard one play after recovering a fumble at thier own 30. Prep QB Leo O’Boyle found Michael Grady streaking down the right sideline for a 70 yard score, which seemed to put life back into the game at 28-7 score with just 27 seconds left in the the quarter.

Prep then got the score to 28-14 after going on a 72 yard 13 play drive. O’Boyle connected with Brendon Colleran for a six yard strike with 7:47 left in the contest. Just when it seemed like Prep took over momentum, it was Lopez who took it right back going 80 yards on the second play from scrimmage after The Colleran score to push the lead back to a 35-14 score. O’Boyle would not allow his team to go away though, relying heavily on the passing game the signal-caller went 21-34 for 253 yards and three scores.

The Prep defense forced a Middletown punt deep in their own territory late in the contest, Jakob Kenny blocked the rugby-style punt and Prep took possession at the Blue Raider 15, from their O’Boyle hit Michael Grecko in the front left corner of the end zone to complete. the scoring with 48 ticks left in the contest.

Middletown will face the winner of Saturday’s contest between Aliquippa and Sharon next Saturday afternoon for state gold.

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