SAFR Football Helmet Covers: Safer Through Science
 
PA Football News Scoreboard powered by Circle W Sports
 
Leading Edge Fundraising
 
 
 

Penn Trafford’s defense forces six turnovers in 22-7 win against Moon

 
Tagged under: District 7, Game Photos-Videos, Gameday Hub, pfn

| September 12, 2026

Ben Grabowski’s two rushing touchdowns lead tough Warriors run game

On paper, the Penn Trafford Warriors got their revenge on Friday night against the Moon Tigers for last year’s 20-13 WPIAL 5A quarterfinal loss. But for Penn Trafford Head Coach John Ruane, what happened with last year’s team has nothing to do with what is happening with his team this year.

“We didn’t even bring it up [the playoff loss from last year this week],” Ruane said. “We have a good group. Focusing on anything outside of this season is a bad idea.”

While Moon showed its youth and inexperience with many starters lost from last year’s team, the Warriors offense showed its veteran pedigree by controlling the line of scrimmage and dominating time of possession with a sound run game.

But the Penn Trafford defense is what set the tone early and often, limiting Moon’s dangerous running game and forcing tough situations for freshman quarterback Richie McMullen. Despite the season and team debut of 2027 Bowling Green commit Jance Henry, he and his backmate 2028 ATH Dionte Henry Jr. couldn’t find much running room throughout the night.

The Moon offense’s first three drives of the night ended in turnovers. On the very first play from scrimmage, 2028 RB/LB Dominic Panigal punched the ball away from Dionte Henry Jr., which was recovered by 2027 DB Trent Brown inside the Moon 20-yard line. This first turnover would lead to an 11-yard touchdown run out of the wildcat by Ben Grabowski to give Penn Trafford the early lead.

Trent Brown would come up with the second turnover as well, as he would intercept a pass tipped by 2027 WR/DB Nick Ponko.

“We talked about how we had to create turnovers to win this game,” Ruane said. “Our secondary broke on balls very well.”

The Penn Trafford offense, however, would not capitalize on the second or third turnovers of the game. Sophomore safety Justes Mull would knock the ball loose from Ben Grabowski to force a 4th-down stop, and then a 27-yard field goal attempt from 2027 K/P Jack Miller would hit off the top of the left upright and bounce out.

Miller would make up for his first miss by getting the Warriors on the board on three separate occasions after drives stalled deep in Moon territory, twice from 21 yards and once from 29 yards.

“We failed miserably in the red zone,” Ruane emphasized. “We just couldn’t finish inside the ten. That’s definitely something we need to fix.”

The only big play for Moon’s offense would be a 56-yard touchdown strike from Richie McMullen to 2027 WR/DB Sevi Vandetti on the first play of the second quarter, which would help knot the game up at 7.

With a younger team, Moon Head Coach Ryan Linn understands the growing pains that come with development but also saw a team that showed fight. Despite six turnovers on offense, the Moon defense bent but didn’t break all night, keeping the team in the game.

“We just need to learn how to execute,” Linn said. “Just because we’re young doesn’t mean we are going to lay down and quit.”

Up 10-7, the Warriors would settle for three to end the half after an interception by 2028 WR/DB Kason Offield set the Penn Trafford offense up with great field position.

The Penn Trafford offense had a variety of contributors on the ground, including Dominic Panigal, 2028 RB/LB Nathan Jarosz, and sophomore quarterback Jordan Earheart, whose role increased to make up for the loss of 2028 QB/DB Cody Yacamelli, who was out with an injury.

But the night belonged to Ben Grabowski, who scored both of the Warriors’ touchdowns on the night and rushed for 177 yards on 23 carries. While the offense was mostly one-dimensional without Yacamelli, Grabowski also contributed 104 passing yards and kept the ball out of harm’s way.

The Penn Trafford run game tired the Moon defense in the second half, which was on the field for much of the game. The Warriors set the tone in the third quarter with a 5+ minute drive that ended in a huge field goal, extending the lead to two scores, 16-7. A positive Moon drive into Penn Trafford territory ended abruptly due to a fumbled exchange between Richie McMullen and Jance Henry, halting any momentum the Tigers would have for the rest of the game.

On the ensuing drive, Grabowski would finally get the game-breaking touchdown that Penn Trafford had been looking for, taking the direct snap to the right and breaking a tackle for a 46-yard touchdown.

“We have athletic linemen,” Ruane said about the success of the Warriors’ run game. “We’re not overly enormous guys, but they’re physical and get to the second level, which is critical.”

With under a minute left in the fourth quarter, 2028 star WR/DB Nick Ponko, who had four touchdowns in the Warriors’ win over Hempfield last Saturday, would seal the game with an interception.

Penn Trafford (3-0, 0-0) will host Franklin Regional next week to begin conference play, while Moon (0-2, 0-0) faces another tough non-conference test as they visit Thomas Jefferson.

 
 
PA Football News Scoreboard powered by Circle W Sports
 
Showcase by Circle W Sports
 
 
 
x