Susquehanna Township outlasts Penn Hills in York Rose Bowl thrille
Tagged under: District 3, District 7, Gameday Hub, News
Billy Splain | August 24, 2024
Written by Gavin Bonanno, (PFN Intern)
York – The Penn Hills Indians (District 7 – Class 5A) traveled to York, PA (Smalls Athletic Field) to take on the Susquehanna Township Indians (District 3 – Class 4A) to open their 2024 Football Season.
Tensions were high before either team finished their warmups, as the referees had to break up a pre-game skirmish minutes before the coin toss. After being separated, warm-ups concluded, and the captains made their way to the field. Penn Hills won the toss and deferred to the second half, giving Susquehanna Township the ball to start the game.
The first quarter of this game was a defensive battle, as neither squad could get much going. After going 3 and out on their 2nd drive of the game, Susquehanna Township was forced to punt with 4:45 left in the 1st quarter. On the punt, a personal foul penalty was called on Susquehanna Township, giving the Indians of Penn Hills great field position to begin their second possession at their own 41-yard line. Our first points of the game came via a 26-yard field goal by #16 Angelo Baleno (Sr) of Penn Hills. The end of the first quarter came to an end with Penn Hills leading 3-0.
Susquehanna Township started the second quarter with the ball and thanks to some excellent vision by QB TD Evans, the drive was able to be extended multiple times when facing 3rd and long. Susquehanna Township got their first points on the board via a 20-yard run by Junior RB #22 Xavier Rivera. Senior K #99 Erin Ramsey added the extra point to make the score 7-3.
Penn Hills would see a 71-yard rushing TD called back due to offsetting penalties (Illegal Formation (Penn Hills)/Face Mask (Susquehanna Township).
The last 4 minutes of the first half were about as offensively dominated as you can get. Penn Hills scored on a 1-yard TD rush by Senior RB #4 Jay’mere Ellis. Baleno added the extra point to make the score 10-7. Less than 2 minutes later, TD Evans found Junior WR #3 Zi’khere Leaks for a 19-yard touchdown. Ramsey added the extra point and Susquehanna Township was back in front 14-10. A quick 3 and out saw Susquehanna Township back with the ball with under a minute to go in the 1st half. However, a pass that was ruled a backwards pass fell to the ground and the Penn Hills defense quickly scooped and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown without much effort by Susquehanna Townships offense to stop them. After Baleno’s extra point, Penn Hills led 17-14.
On the ensuing kickoff, South Carolina Gamecocks commit, Senior #8 Lex Cyrus ran the kickoff back 80 yards for a touchdown. Ramsey added the extra point and Hanna was back in front 21-17. Penn Hills would be unable to get anything additional going before the end of the 1st half and the second quarter ended with Susquehanna Township leading Penn Hills 21-17.
Penn Hills began the 2nd half with the ball and capped off a drive when Junior QB #3 Devin Harris found Sophomore WR #0 Carter Bonner for a 30-yard touchdown reception. Baleno made the extra point and Penn Hills was back in front 24-21.
Less than 2 minutes later, QB Evans found Junior WR #18 Jarrett Kern in the end-zone with an 18-yard strike. Ramsey was successful on the PAT and just like that Hanna was back in front 28-24. That is how the score would remain as we moved into the 4th quarter.
Penn Hills would score their last points of the day with 9:47 remaining in the 4th quarter on a 39-yard run by Senior RB #1 Naytel Mitchell. The point after was no good, but Penn Hills was back in front 30-28.
A few minutes later, QB Evans for Susquehanna Township scrambled 4 yards to score and subsequently did the exact same thing when Hanna went for 2 (successful) to put Hanna on top 36-30. Penn Hills would turn the ball over on downs, but their defense would hold Susquehanna Township and force them to punt with 20 seconds remaining. The punt was a beauty, which put Penn Hills backs against the wall at their own 1-yard line. Penn Hills moved the ball about 25 yards but was unable to score and that is how the game would end, with Susquehanna Township beating Penn Hills by a score of 36-30.
Stats:
Susquehanna Township Indians:
Passing:
#15 TD Evans – 15 for 23, 245 yards, 2 TD’s
Rushing:
#22 Xavier Rivera – 12 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD
#15 TD Evans – 7 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD
#8 Lex Cyrus – 2 carries, 17 yards
Receiving:
#18 Jarrett Kern – 6 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD
#3 Zi’khere Leaks – 2 receptions, 34 yards, 1 TD
#5 Darian Brown – 2 receptions, 30 yards
#8 Lex Cyrus – 4 receptions, 62 yards
#2 Rakhi Seville – 1 catch, 14 yards
Kicking:
#99 Erin Ramsey – 4 for 4 PAT’s
Penalties:
7 penalties – 60 yards
Penn Hills Indians:
Passing:
#3 Devin Harris – 14 for 23, 160 yards, 1 TD
Rushing:
#1 Naytel Mitchell – 16 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD
#3 Devin Harris – 4 carries, 44 yards
#27 Jeremy Paolino – 5 carries, 12 yards
#4 Jay’mere Ellis – 1 carry, 1 yard, 1 TD
Receiving:
#2 Martel Palmer – 4 receptions, 54 yards
#0 Carter Bonner – 3 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
#1 Naytel Mitchell – 1 reception, 2 yards
#7 Derek Selby Jr – 3 receptions, 33 yards
Kicking:
#16 Angelo Baleno – 1/1 FG (26 yards); 3/4 PAT’s
Penalties:
11 penalties – 70 yards
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