In Battle of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia prevails, 37-31
Tagged under: pfn
Sykotyk | May 29, 2023
Despite a nasty fall on a rushing attempt, Case Cookus would lead the Stars to victory in the Battle of Pennsylvania on 18 of 30 passing for 235 yards. An unforced interception would mar a decent scoreline against his two touchdown tosses in the 37-31 victory.
The game started well enough for Philadelphia, with a 1 yard touchdown run by Matt Colburn II to open the game. That 7-0 lead was tenuous, as Pittsburgh tied it on a 3 yard run by Bailey Gaither.
The Stars scored two Luis Aguilar field goals from 30 and 45 yards, bookending an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Pittsburgh’s Josh Simmons.
After trading turnovers, Pittsburgh extended their 14-13 lead with a 17 yard corner of the endzone touchdown pass from Williams to Isaiah Hennie. The Maulers closed out the first half scoring on a 49 yard field goal after Philadelphia had closed the gap to one.
The third quarter started with futility. Pittsburgh’s Josh Simmons returned a kickoff toward midfield, only to fumble the ball over to the Stars, who ran it to their 44 yard line. But the advantage was shortlived, as Case Cookus’s heave to the endzone on their third play was intercepted in the endzone.
The two teams traded punts back and forth twice, before the Maulers would setup a long, 54-yard field goal for Blewitt. Which was wide. Philadelphia, invigorated by the missed points, scored on a 56 yard pass play down the left sideline from Cookus to Corey Coleman to take their first lead of the second half. After another Maulers punt, Philadelphia strengthened their position, with a 2 yard run by Colburn, diving into the endzone and tossing the pigskin skyward in celebration. Aguilar’s kick made it 34-24 with 9:24 left in the game.
After another Maulers punt, the Stars returned the favor. And Pittsburgh’s Isaiah Hennie raced the punt return up the right side, diving into the endzone ahead of the tacklers for an apparent touchdown. However, replay ruled that he had in fact stepped out a yard shy. Garrett Groshek too the next handoff off tackle to the left for the touchdown, and to close the gap to 34-31.
Pittsburgh opted for the 4th down play to attempt to regain possession. However, Williams was sacked for an eight yard loss. This setup Philadelphia with possession deep on Maulers territory with 2:01 left in the game. A single play ran the clock to the two-minute warning. After two more running plays, Philadelphia settled for another Aguilar field goal from 38 yards out.
Pittsburgh started with great field position on their final drive. A Simmons return setup shop just 60 yards from the endzone. But two incomplete passes forced a third down with just 14 seconds left. Jordan Scott would find Williams in the backfield and drag him down for the sack. The clock running would end the game with the Stars victorious.
On the ground, Colburn would net 82 yards and two scores on 20 attempts. Cookus would rush for 28 on four carries.
Troy Williams would toss one touchdown against one interception in the losing effort. Throwing for 145 yards on 18 of 28 passing. He’d also lead the team with 44 yards on the ground while London would net 26 on 3 carries, Gaither would get 8, Gary would rush for 6, Groshek would get 4 more besides his 1 yard touchdown run, and Simmons would net two on a single attempt.
The Maulers’ Isaiah Hennie would have a masterful game, getting a touchdown on the 17 yard pass, 22 yards overall through the air, and a 69 yard punt return that setup the one yard run late to keep the game close.
The Stars would advance their record to 5-3 while Pittsburgh would fall to 2-5. Setting up the Stars with a two win advantage over second place tied New Jersey and Michigan, who play Sunday.
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