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Abington Heights dominates 2nd half, beats Berwick

Tagged under: District 4, Gameday Hub, News

| September 8, 2023

Week three of the High School Football season got underway once again under the historic lights of Crispin Field. This time, an unusual taste filled the air. A Berwick Bulldogs team that has built a prestigious program faces a crossroads. After an 0-2 start for a second straight year, Head Coach Mike Bennett resigned and Atheltic Director Bo Orlando took over. He has been tasked with a tough assignment, stop the Abington Heights Comets’ lethal passing attack and find a win for the Bulldogs, his inaugural game did not go as planned.

Abington Heights entered this matchup with a great start to the season. A win against Wilkes Barre a week ago put them at an even 1-1 and a chance to chase a winning record. A year prior, Berwick shut out Abington Heights 49-0, and the Comets have changed a lot since. QB Nick Bradley is one of the top QBs in the Area and came into the game averaging close to 300 yards passing per game. After a great start to the 2023 campaign, Abington Heights set its early season sights on the Berwick Bulldogs.

Nick Bradley marched his Comets down the field on the opening drive of the game and took it himself for the game’s inaugural score.

Berwick’s Tyler Winter, who has been the most consistent piece of the offense through three weeks, answered with a scamper of his own.

Early on, it looked like these offenses would have their ways and this would turn into an offensive shootout. Nick Bradley validated this theory further as he found Kevin Schmidt for a 15-yard score.

Once again, Tyler Winter continued to weather the storm and keep his Bulldogs in the game. A 5-yard score on a crucial 4th down allowed Berwick to tie the game at 14 a piece.

Berwick continued a dream end to the first half, as Ethan Lear got in from 8 yards out to give Berwick a 21-14 lead going to intermission.

In 2022, Beriwck’s main contributor to their eventual downfall in games was the point differential in the 2nd half. Once again, Berwick did not learn from their mistakes and had a rough 2nd half.

Nick Bradley continued carving up the defense and by the time the 3rd Quarter ended, a 21-14 Berwick lead, flipped to a 28-21 Abington Heights lead.

At this point three things in life seemed certain, Death, Taxes, and Nick Bradley finding the endzone. The Comet avalanche continued and they had now taken complete control over the game.

At this point, all Abington Heights needed was a dagger to seal the deal. When Nick Bradley snuck it in from a yard out, the game had essentially been over.

A pick-six in the waning moments made the final score Abington Heights 47 Berwick 21.

Comets head coach Joe Rephsis had the following to say about the win.

For the Victors, this has been as good a season as they could have really hoped for considering a year ago. The road does get tougher down the line with Valley View, Scranton Prep, and others of high caliber.

Berwick now falls to 0-3 and the road does not get smoother from here. Trips to Williamsport and Wilkes barre await the Dawgs in the next 2 weeks.

Nick Bradley stole the show for the Comets and their playcalling was very balanced and creative. The defense took over the 2nd half and pitched a shutout.

An inability to finish hurts Berwick once again, and the Defense lacked poise and ability in the 2nd half. Needless penalties hurt any chances Berwick had.

 

BERWICK NEXT WEEK 

@ WILLIAMSPORT 9/15 7PM

ABINGTON HEIGHTS NEXT WEEK

vs WESTERN WAYNE 9/16 2 PM

 

 

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