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Instant Classic: Facing Adversity, Palmerton Rallies to Advance in District XI 3A Playoffs

Tagged under: District 11, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

| November 11, 2023

Palmerton Blue Bombers rally late to advance to the District XI 3A Championship game.

 

PALMERTON-  In a season like no other for the Palmerton Blue Bombers, with their undefeated season on the line, not to mention their historic playoff run also in jeopardy, they scored the last 16 points in the waning minutes of Friday nights PIAA District XI 3A semi-final game with North Schuylkill to come out victorious 32-24 for their second win over the Spartans this season played before a packed house at Bomber Stadium. Back on October 13th the Bombers blitzed the Spartans 48-24 also played at Palmerton.

Unlike the first meeting, quarterback Matt Machalik, struggled early on in the rematch as he was held in check only throwing for just 19 yards in the first half and had -12 rushing yards, for someone who has the record of throwing and rushing for over 5,000 yards each in his four year career. Not to mention that two key players were injured in the contest.

Palmerton went three-and-out on their first two drives, and subsequent poor punts gave the Spartans excellent field position both times near the Bombers 30 but could only manage three points on a 43 yard Gavin Mentzer field goal with 3:54 left in the opening quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, running back Ty Sander found a huge hole off his right side of the line and went untouched for a 57 yard score for the home team and with a Machalik to pass to Jameson Trainer for the conversion made it 8-3 with just under seven minutes left.

North Schuylkill, though would take a 10-8 lead heading into the locker room at halftime when with just 29 seconds left, QB Trevor Minalda connected with Collin Stanakis in the left corner of the end zone. Mentzer added the point after. Minalda threw for three scores on 12 of 21 passing for 150 yards.

The running game would take over as the Spartans took the second half kickoff and proceeded to run strictly out of the I-formation behind Stanakis pounding the rock for a team-high 125 yards on 25 carries ate up time and limited Palmerton’s possessions and that potent offense, which have won every game by double-digits all season. However, it was a 50 yard strike from Minalda to WR Joey Flail that would give the Spartans a 17-8 lead with 9:20 left in the third quarter.

Machalik, would get on track just 13 seconds later as he ripped off an incredible 65 yard jaunt. Emilio Gonzalez would catch the two-point try to make the score 17-16.

Joey Flail would catch his second touchdown on the night on a 10 yard pass from Minalda with just 40 seconds left in the quarter to make it 24-16. Flail finished the game with 102 yards receiving on 5 receptions and the two scores.

Neither team could sustain a drive in the final twelve minutes as both defenses made a stand. Then everything broke in the favor of the Bomers with just 3:41 left in regulation. Ty Sander slipped around the end of the line and found an open seam in the Spartans defense and Machalik lofted a perfect pass to complete the scoring play and again they converted the two-point conversion to tie the score at 24. He finsished the night throwing for just 65 yards on 7 of 16 passing.

On the first play of the following drive a big hit on Minalda caused a fumble that was recovered by Bryce Marino at the North Schuylkill 29 yard line. Machalik then picked up all but two yards on the ensuring drive, but the facing a fourth-and goal from the one he would go off the right side for the score with 52 seconds left. The incredible stat of going ten for ten on the two point try against the Spartans combined in both games was successful giving the Bombers the 32-24 lead.

North Schuylkill desperately attempted to make a last-minute drive to possibly send the game into overtime. After crossing midfield, CB Brayden Hosier stepped in front of a Minalda pass and returned it deep into Spartan territory, where the Bombers simply took a knee to end the contest.

Palmerton (12-0) will now face 12-0 Northwestern Lehigh next week at a site and time TBA in what should be the game of the year as a District championship is on the line and a spot in the state playoffs in 3A at stake.

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