Dragons win season opener against Wolves

Tagged under: District 6, Gameday Hub, News

PFN Staff | August 26, 2019

Avery Falisec

The Purchase Line Red Dragons have labeled this season their redemption tour, and with a first game win, things are definitely looking that way. The Dragons played their home opener against the West Shamokin Wolves, Friday, August 23, with an ending score of 26-20. Senior fullback and linebacker Cullen Goncher said, “We started off slow, but picked it up as the game went on. We played a great game and now we have to get ready for next week.”

The game started off with West Shamokin’s Jaiden Haswell being sacked three times by Purchase Line. When the Wolves decided to go for the fourth down, it was clear that it had to be a pass play. Luckily for the Dragons, the receiver was unable to gain control of the pass and Purchase Line took over on downs.

Junior running back Joshua Syster was first to run with that possession but soon after, the Dragons were forced to punt the ball back to West Shamokin. The Wolves started to run with ball more during this drive and it paid off. Logan McClafferty scored a 3-yard touchdown with two minutes and twenty-five seconds left in the first quarter. Along with the completed PAT, the score became 7-0, Wolves, which is how it stayed for the rest of the quarter.

The Dragons struck quickly in the second quarter with a 19-yard touchdown run by Syster, only one minute and twenty-eight seconds in. Purchase Line was gaining on West Shamokin 7-6. Only 13 seconds later, the Wolves came back with a 52-yard bomb from Bo Swartz to Haswell, who ran it in for the touchdown. The kick was then blocked by Senior safety Jacob Barnett. The Wolves took the lead once again, 13-6, meaning Purchase Line badly needed to take advantage of their next drive to catch West Shamokin. Goncher hauled the ball in for a receiving touchdown, but it was quickly called back due to a penalty. Only minutes later, the Wolves intercepted the ball, then fumbled five plays later and was recovered by Goncher.

The Dragons were able to capitalize on this when Syster ran the ball into the endzone for a 19-yard touchdown with four minutes and fifty-nine seconds left in the half. To take the lead, Purchase Line needed the conversion. Barnett passed the ball to Goncher, who was all alone in the endzone and for the first time in the game the Red Dragons took control, 14-13. The Wolves struggled to get the first down on their next possession. When they elected to go for the fourth down, Syster was there to intercept the ball. Goncher was the one to take advantage of this and scored a three-yard touchdown right up the middle with only seconds left in the half. Purchase Line had a seven-point lead on West Shamokin at halftime, 20-13.

The third quarter was a long one for both teams. The ball seemed to move back and forth between the Wolves and the Dragons the entire time. At the start of the quarter, the Dragons could not seem to get things rolling. They punted to the Wolves, who fumbled five plays later. The fumble was recovered by Purchase Line but, the Dragons were unable to move the ball, so the Wolves could have regained possession but a flag was thrown on the punt play because of a penalty on the defense, which meant Purchase Line would be granted a first down. The Dragons still could not get things moving, and had to punt, once again. Nearing the end of the quarter, West Shamokin’s Swartz threw an explosive 79-yard pass to Haswell, who was once again playing at wide receiver. The game was now in anyone’s hands with a score of 20-20. During the next play, sophomore wide receiver Mello Sanchez caught the Wolves’ kick and sprinted up the field for 55 yards, eluding many defenders trying to take him down. Sanchez was tackled at West Shamokin’s 25-yard line putting Purchase Line in an excellent position to score. This return was a very important part of the game for Purchase Line. Sanchez said, “I think the guys played one heck of a game, even though the start was rough. We really kicked it in gear and stepped up.” A few plays later, Goncher found a gap up the middle and ran the ball in for a 20-yard touchdown with only two seconds left in the quarter. Purchase Line gained the advantage 26-20.

After the Wolves failed to get a first down, the Dragons received the ball at their own 30-yard line to begin their first fourth quarter possession. Barnett completed passes to Senior running back Kyle Day and Sophomore wide receiver Jayce Brooks, both players being major powerhouses all night. The Dragons failed to get the first down on a fourth down attempt so the ball was handed to the Wolves. West Shamokin increased their passing game majorly in the fourth quarter, making them harder to defend. The Dragons forced a punt but struggled to get the ball out of their side field. The ball was, quickly, given back to the Wolves. Just as it seemed that West Shamokin was going to drive down and score, the ball was fumbled, and recovered by Purchase Line. In the attempt to keep the ball from the Wolves, the Dragons went for the fourth down. Barnett passed the ball and it bounced off of the fingertips of West Shamokin’s Troy Goldstohm and right into the arms of Brooks, who ran it up for the first down across the Wolves’ 35-yard line. With that, Purchase Line began to knee the ball, allowing time to expire and letting the Dragons gain their first win of the season, with a final score of 26-20.

Although the Dragons took a win from the Wolves, they still look to improve on all aspects of the game as the season progresses. Barnett, who completed 11 of 13 passing attempts and passed a total of 152 yards, said “We’re happy with the win but not satisfied with our performance.”

Sanchez followed up, “I think both teams played well, but I think as a team, we could have done better than tonight”.

As the Dragons start their redemption season with a win, they look forward to their game against the Homer Center Wildcats, which will be played at Homer Center’s field. Head Coach Matthew Falisec said, “As a team, we are happy that we got the win. However, we have a lot of things we need to work on to get ready for Homer Center. I know each week our team is going to improve and I’m very excited with the direction that we are heading”.

Purchase Line’s senior Gabe Kitchen stops West Shamokin’s ball carrier during the Red Dragons’ 26-20 victory over the Wolves August 23. PHOTO BY TAMMY SCHMITTLE

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