Penn-Trafford gets past Mt. Lebo 26-18

Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News

Mia Williams | August 30, 2025

     The 5A Penn-Trafford Warriors took down the 6A Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils 26-18, thanks to a strong defense and two touchdowns by junior Nick Ponko.

     The game, which took place on Friday, August 29, started slowly for both teams until a 30-yard gain for Warrior junior Trent Brown with 4:12 left in the first quarter. This set up Ponko for a 9-yard touchdown. The extra point was unsuccessful, and P-T was up 6-0 with 3:21 left in the first quarter of action.

     A strong Warrior defense stopped Mt. Lebo from scoring, and the quarter ended 6-0 in Penn-Trafford’s favor.

Penn-Trafford Senior QB, Nate Desmond

     Ponko continued to make plays for the Warriors as he secured a 34-yard catch thrown by senior QB Nate Desmond. The junior sensation of Ponko followed up his own play with a gain of 25 yards. This allowed for sophomore QB Cody Yacamelli to clock in his first touchdown of the season. Sophomore Jack Miller secured the extra point, putting P-T up 13-0 with 3:51 left in the first half. 

     An interception by Penn-Trafford junior Grant Burk ended the first quarter with the Warriors up 13-0. 

     Despite not having points on the scoreboard, the Mt. Lebo Blue Devils came out strong with a 60-yard run by Penn commit QB, Patrick Smith. Smith followed it up with a touchdown from the one-yard line. The kick was unsuccessful, and P-T was up 13-6 with 9:09 left in the third.

     Penn-Trafford’s Ponko wanted a touchdown of his own in the third quarter as he answered back with a 47-yard touchdown thrown by Desmond. The kick by junior Logan Hunter was good, and P-T was up 20-6, 5:25 left in the third. 

     A fumble recovery by Warrior senior Colton Tyburski allowed for QB Desmond to rush in for his first touchdown of the night. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, but P-T remained in the lead 26-6 with 2:57 left in the third. 

Mt. Lebo QB Patrick Smith scored three touchdowns against P-T

The final quarter started with the same 26-6 scoreline, but Blue Devil Smith wanted some more points on the board, so he rushed in an 8-yard touchdown. The kick was blocked by Ponko, and P-T was up 26-12 with 2:42 in the fourth. 

     Smith was not done for the game, though, as he ran in his third touchdown of the night to keep his team in the sights of the Warriors. Like a fever dream, though, Ponko blocked the extra point again and Penn-Trafford won with a final score of 26-18. 

     Penn-Trafford will play Moon next Friday, while Mt. Lebo will take on Peters Township. 

Post-game interview with P-T’s @nico_casciato @CodyYacamelli and @NickPonko following a 26-18 win over Mt. Lebo
P-T will take on Moon next Friday @PTWarriors @ptwarriorfb @penntraffordtv @AnnabelleA_PT @PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews @RushPedder pic.twitter.com/NH0MVF2ov2

— Mia Williams (@Mia_WilliamsPT) August 30, 2025

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