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No Time-No Problem For Steelton-Highspire’s Cliff Hanger Victory Over Old Forge 39-36

Tagged under: District 2, District 3, Gameday Hub, News

| November 14, 2020

With zero time showing on the score board and only one play left as a result of a penalty, the Rollers of Steelton-Highspire  flatten the Old Forge Blue Devils state title hopes. Freshman QB Alex Erby hit D1 WR recruit Mehki Flowers on a five -yard touchdown pass that gave the Rollers a 39-36 victory and a showdown with perennial powerhouse Bishop Guilfoyle.  In the most exciting game I have covered this year, I saw two evenly matched teams hammer each all night in a battle of wills and skills.  From the opening kickoff to very last play of the game, I chewed at my nails between taking notes.

The Rollers wasted no time after the initial kickoff. On the second play of the game, RB Odell Greene, after breaking several tackles, ran 75 yards for the first score of the evening. The extra point was good and the Rollers took a quick lead with 11:16 still remaining in the first quarter.  Coach Schuback showed he came to play ball. His team bulldozed their way down to the three -yard line on several excellent runs.  RB Colin Holzman, who would be a force all night both on offense and defense, put the finishing touch on the drive with three-yard touchdown run. Schuback went for two and the Devils took the lead 8-7 with 6:01 on the clock in the first quarter.

Highsprie got their engines steaming and bounced back with a  long drive that ended with a 20-yard touchdown pass form QB Alex Erby to  WR Tyrone Moore. The extra point was good and the Rollers regain the lead 14-8 with 2:18 left on the clock in the first quarter. Old Forge consumed most of the remaining time of the 1st quarter before a fumble by RB Colin Holzman ended Old Forge’s drive and gave the ball to Rollers with only seconds left.

The second quarter was even more explosive than the first. Only seven seconds into the quarter, QB  Alex Erby hit WR Damien Hammonds for a 22 yard touchdown pass and the Rollers took a commanding lead over the Devils 21-8 11:53  on the clock.

The Devils -seemly unfazed- bounced back with a methodical drive that culminated  in a 2 -yard touchdown run by Hezekiah Deitz, narrowing the lead with 7:30 on the clock. The extra point was good.  21-15 Highsprie.  But before the Devil’s fans stop cheering  WR Mehki Flowers took the kick-off 76 yards for another Rollers touchdown with 7:18 on the clock. The extra point was no good and the Rollers were on track 27-15. Once again sophomore,  QB James Sobol took charge and led his  spirited team down field and took it in from the three yard-line run. The extra point failed. Old Forge went into the locker room at the half trailing 27-21, but with momentum and the second half kick off coming their way.

The Devils came out on fire in the third quarter. A pass interference call on the Rollers gave the Devils  great field position.  The devils drove to the four, where workhorse RB Colin Holzman  got his second touchdown of the night. They went for two points after a penalty on Highspire and took the lead for the second time  29-27. Coach Schuback did an excellent job controlling the clock and the quarter ended with the Devils in the lead.

In the fourth quarter with 4:45 left, the Devils would add another score when “Hit Man” Holzman got his third touchdown of the evening , expanding Old Forge’s lead 36-27. It was looking good for Schuback and his tenacious  Devils, but Old Forge never seems to have the “luck of the devil” in playoff games.  With less than five minutes left,  the Rollers would score again, narrowing Old Forge’s lead 36-33. Despite Schuback’s efforts to control the clock, his team had to surrender the ball to the Rollers with 1:51 left.  The Rollers managed to get the ball down to the Devils 5-yard  line with.09 seconds on the clock and one play left to determine the fate of two fine football teams.  On what everyone thought would be the last play of the game QB Alex Erby floated a ball up in the end zone that was batted down by LB Angelo Fumanti and the excited crowd thought the game was over and Old Forge won 33-36. The Devils curse was removed and Schubacks hopes renewed. The euphoria was short-lived however,  as a penalty was called in the end zone and the Rollers got another chance. QB Alex Erby threw into the quick hands of D1 WR Mehki Flowers for the final score of the evening and a 3936 victory over the Devils.

Note: This very well could be the last game I cover this year for pafootballnewscom. I want to thank Billy Splain and pafootballnews.com for giving me the opportunity to do what I love and to display my talents. It took a lot of courage to hire a sophomore in High School and I hope I didn’t disappoint him or the readers of pafootballnews.com. I have much in progress : my own Sports Page, Website and an upcoming podcast. So “Scoop Diesel” will be keeping in touch.

Also, I want to say to all my friends that played tonight, you played well and you should be proud.  I know I was.

 

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