Hempfield Comes From Behind To Defeat Dallastown

Tagged under: District 3, Gameday Hub, News

Josiah Pletcher | August 26, 2023

The Hempfield Black Knights had the lead for only 33 seconds in Friday’s opener against the Dallastown Wildcats. However, that is all they needed to go home with the 16-14 victory.

Both teams opened the game up with drives that ended in a turnover on downs. Dallastown would then strike first on their second drive of the game. Quarterback Matt Stone would find wide receiver Micheal Scott for a 27 yard touchdown.

Hempfield then drove all the way to the Dallastown 24 yard line before the end of the first quarter. On the opening play of the second, Hempfield quarterback Jackson Landis would be intercepted in the end zone by Jalen Cook.

Dallastown would go three and out on their next drive and be forced to punt. However, that punt was blocked setting up great field position for the Black Knights.

Hempfield still came up empty handed though after Micheal Scott picked off Jackson Landis in the end zone on a 4th and 18 jump ball.

On the next drive Scott would continue to do damage. Stone and Scott would connect for a 57 yard touchdown giving Dallastown a 14-0 lead with seven minutes remaining in the first half. Hempfield would finally get on the board with a 34 yard field goal from Biscoe to end the half.

Hempfield and Dallastown would trade punts to start the second half before Hempfield started their comeback. Landis would find junior wide receiver Cameron Margeson for a 66 yard touchdown. Hempfield was now only trailing by four with four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Dallastown running back Christopher Cromartie broke off an 80 yard touchdown run. However, there was a block in the back which took away the touchdown. Dallastown was unable to score on that drive giving Hempfield a chance to complete the comeback.

With 1:25 on the clock, Hempfield had the ball on the Dallastown 47. Landis threw out of a sack to Dom Acevedo for 20 yards. He then found Margeson two plays later on a 26 yard screen pass that set them up on the one yard line. Landis then took the ball himself into the end zone for a one yard rush giving Hempfield their first lead of the day.

After a failed extra point attempt, Dallastown had one more shot trailing 16-14 with 33 seconds remaining. Hempfield’s Deyvid Palepale got a clutch sack leading to the Wildcats turning the ball over on downs. Hempfield took a knee and then celebrated their win.

Cameron Margeson finished the game with 159 yards on nine receptions. After the game he said “The best part about this is we came from behind when I don’t think anybody really believed in us. And this team (Hempfield) found a way to persevere … this team (Hempfield) we pulled it together in a way I don’t think could have worked any other way. And I’m just so proud of the guys.”

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