State College Defense Dominates Chambersburg, 35-16 W/Game Highlight reel @CASDAthletics

Tagged under: District 3, District 6, News

Nate Grella | September 22, 2018

 An injured and battered defense shined for State College in a 35-16 win against the Chambersburg Trojans on September 21. Both teams came into the game 4-0 with State College riding an easy win against Carlisle and Chambersburg prepared following a blowout against Altoona. Chambersburg presented a new challenge for the State High defense, a dual threat quarterback and a dynamic running back, something not yet seen by the Little Lions

The Trojans came into the game with a simple gameplan that had worked in the previous four games the Trojans played- run the ball. Star running back, second in Midpenn rushing, Keyshawn Jones took the majority of the rushes with Kyere Morton coming in key situations.

For the State High Defense, it was a total mismatch. In the first, a Nathan Lusk Pick 6 would end the Trojans first drive, and aside from a lone Trojan touchdown drive, the State High defense 

PAFootballNews.Com Player of the Game, Nate Lusk

would force two punts and would have a diving interception by Cohen Russell.  “First half I thought we played good.” Russell Said, “defense did a heck of a job today, we got punched in the mouth a lot today, but we responded back ”

The State High Offense struggled to maintain momentum throughout the game. A 53 yard touchdown on the first play of the game by Tommy Friberg and a nine yard pass to Keaton Ellis on the next drive following an onside kick made the it seem like it might be a long night for the Trojans defense, but a high snap out of the back of the State High endzone by Zak Betts would give Chambersburg a Safety and the ball back when the game looked to be firmly in the hands of the Little Lions.

Following a four and out, the State High defense would recover with a Dresyn Green touchdown pass off a fake Wildcat pass from fellow running back Isaiah Edwards to make the score 28-9 in the early second quarter. On the next drive, State High would go on the longest sequence of their season, a 12 play drive that ended with a 4 yard pass to Keaton Ellis. Again however, the offense would struggle to maintain momentum as a fumble at their own 20 would become a Chambersburg scoop and score to give the Trojans a chance heading into the 4th quarter. “Going into the second half we played really sloppy.” Russell Continued, “ I don’t think this team should have really been in the game with us. Our team killed ourselves that’s the reason I think they were in it.”

The 4th would yield little results for each team. The State High defense would shut down the Trojans

twice in the redzone with a blocked field goal and a fumble recovered.

Synopsis: A tale of Two Sides for the Little Lions. On the bright side, the State High defense showed improvement against a multi-dimensional Trojan rushing attack, but injuries could give the Lions trouble in the future. For the offense, State High was inconsistent for the first time all year, and needs to make sure it doesn’t become a habit with Harrisburg looming on the schedule.

Whats Next?: Chambersburg will return home against a struggling 0-5 Cumberland Valley while State High will finish up their homestand against Central Dauphin East.

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