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Dallas edges Abington Heights in a Thriller, 31-28

Tagged under: District 2, Game Photos, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

| August 26, 2023

A warm and humid evening greeted the visiting Dallas Mountaineers as they arrived in Clarks Summit to face the Abington Heights Comets. Both teams have a solid core of skill players returning from last season and looked to feature them early and often to get an early win in the new season. It was a great game from start to finish for both clubs.

It was a shame that the game had to end.

Dallas Junior RB Dylan Geskey, who had a game-high 193 yards rushing, took over the momentum in the 2nd half to bring the Mountaineers from behind for the 31-28 win on the road.

After Dallas could not get anything going on their first possession, the Comets struck very quickly when Sophomore QB Nick Bradley hit Senior WR Mason Fedor for a 29-yard TD catch and run that made it 7-0 Abington Heights with 8:37 to go in the 1st quarter.

After the Mounts gained some yards on their next possession, a rare fumble by Geskey gave the Comets the ball back on their own 37. A push into Dallas territory ended when the Mounts Senior DE Nick Farrell sacked Bradley for a 7-yard loss and the Comets were forced to punt. Dallas couldn’t do anything with the turn of events however, and as the 2nd quarter was underway it was back over to the Comets who drove largely on 3 runs by Bradley and 2 catches by Fedor, the 2nd of which was a 3-yard reception for his 2nd TD of the game. The PAT was missed and with 6:27 to go in the half, the Comets led 13-0.

An incredible effort by Dallas Junior WR Gavin Lewis for an 85-yard kickoff return TD was called back due to a penalty. This did not stagger the Mounts though, as Geskey had 5 straight runs totaling 33 yards and the drive was capped when Junior QB Brady Zapoticky ran it in from 6 yards for the touchdown. With 4:04 to go in the half it was 13-7 in favor of the Comets, which is how the 1st half ended.

The second half began with a strong defensive stand by the Mountaineers, who forced an immediate 3-and-out from the Comets. Dallas then capitalized right away when Zapoticky hit Senior WR Zach Paczewski for a 47-yard catch-and-run touchdown. With the PAT good, Dallas took the lead 14-13 with 9:39 left in the 3rd quarter.

As the Comets began their next drive, it was stopped almost immediately when Dallas’ Nick Farrell delivered another sack of Bradley for a 9-yard loss. After a Comet punt that gave Dallas great field position, the Mounts drove down to the Comet 7-yard line but could go no further and turned the ball over on downs. The Comets were not fazed however and drove the length of the field aided by 2 big plays from Senior WR Kevin Schmidt–a big 33-yard reception and a nice 25-yard reverse run aided also by a Dallas late hit penalty. Comets Senior RB Declan Walsh then ended the drive with a 12-yard TD run, and with a 2-point conversion from Fedor the Comets took the lead 21-14 with 1:33 to go in the 3rd quarter.

Dallas struck again quickly though, as Zapoticky hit Farrell for a 64-yard TD reception. With the PAT good, the game was tied at 21 with 1:15 to go in the 3rd. As the 4th quarter started, the Comets were driving in Dallas territory when a pass intended for Fedor was intercepted by the Mounts Junior DB Nate Mallarkey who returned it to the 32 yard line of Abington Heights. Geskey then had 4 runs totaling 31 yards, and then Zapoticky took a QB sneak into the endzone for a 1-yard TD run. The PAT was good and Dallas led 28-21 with 8:00 to go in the game.

The Comets then self-destructed on the next drive, with 2 false-start penalties and 3 straight incompletions to force another punt. Dallas then continued to run Geskey who, along with a nice 19-yard reception by Junior Tight End Cole Rigol, drove the Mounts inside the Comet 20. After a delay of game penalty on a field goal try, Dallas Junior Rowan Laubach was focused and nailed the next attempt from 41 yards to put Dallas up 31-21 with 2:30 to go in the game.

The Comets would not go quietly however, and their quick 5 play drive was capped by Fedor’s 3rd TD of the night, a 29-yard catch that brought the Comets closer at 31-28 with 1:28 left in the game. Unfortunately, it was too late for the Comets as Geskey ripped off a huge run of 43 yards deep into Abington territory and the Mounts kneeled it out to seal the 31-28 victory on the road.

Dylan Geskey said after the game about his 193 yards on the ground: “Obviously, all credit goes to the offensive line, they did a fantastic job…and the receivers blocking…..it was a team win.”

Dallas goes on the road next week to face the defending District 2 4A champion Crestwood Comets. Abington Heights will look to get back on track next week on the road against the Wilkes-Barre Area Wolfpack.

Be sure to check out the game photos by Sherryl Samuel at the link below:

Dallas Mountaineers at Abington Heights Comets — PHOTO GALLERY

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