Keystone Revenge: Pennsylvania Shuts Down New York 28-20 to Break Series Tie

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Shane Lux | August 2, 2026

Bradford – From blowout to redemption, Pennsylvania avenges last year’s blowout with Big 30 victory.

A year ago, New York humiliated the Keystone State in a 56-0 rout; Saturday saw the two rivals play down to the wire, with Keystone State holding on for victory in the closing minutes.

Unable to generate anything offensively a year ago during the shutout loss, the Keystone State only needed five seconds to score when a botched onside kick attempt resulted in Landon Cook scooping up the ball and running it back for an unusual 40-yard kickoff return touchdown to begin the game.

“I didn’t expect that,” said Cook. “I didn’t know that was coming, but I don’t think they knew what to do; all I know is that was an easy touchdown. These guys are the best teammates.”

On their opening offensive drive, they drove 84 yards in ten plays with Logan Kohler of Bradford scoring on a 13-yard run as Pennsylvania forged ahead 12-0 at the 7:32 mark of the first quarter.

New York then scored two touchdowns in less than four minutes when quarterbacks Carter Capozzi and Joe Mest scored on runs of 10 and 2 yards.

The two combined to complete 20 of 36 passes for 264 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Mest 13 for 21, 161 yards, 1 touchdown; Capozzi 7-for-15, 103 yards; each threw an interception.

Capozzi’s 10-yard scamper came on an 8-play 80-yard drive, while Mest’s 2-yard run came shortly after NY recovered a fumble at the Pennsylvania 32-yard line.

Landon Cook then intercepted Capozzi and capped the ensuing 42-yard drive with a 12-yard scoring run, putting PA back in front.

Pulling even again, Payton Bradley caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Mest with 5:55 to play in the half. Bradley caught a game-high nine passes for 134 yards.

New York had a chance to take the lead heading into the locker room, but Conner Roulo’s 38-yard field goal hit the goalpost in the closing seconds.

Late in the third quarter, Pennsylvania broke the stalemate when Frankie Smith intercepted Mest at the NY 16-yard line.

Three plays later, Cook scored his third touchdown of the night, a 5-yard run, that proved to be the game-winner.

Smith and Cook, who both played for Saint Mary’s Area, Smith having attended Elk County Catholic, led the way for PA. Smith ran for a game-high 125 yards, while Cook added 26 and three total touchdowns. Each had an interception on defense.

“These guys mean everything to me,” Cook said. “On and off the field, they’re the best. Football has been the main thing in my life. I give props to these boys, not myself. They did everything to get me to this point. Some of them were my teammates and others my rivals in high school. But these guys are family no matter what.”

New York’s best chance to tie the game came early in the fourth quarter when they drove 70 yards in 16 plays only to be turned away on 4th-and-goal when Capozzi’s pass fell incomplete.

Pennsylvania then drove 84 yards in 15 plays, eating up over six minutes of game clock, but saw Tysin Boschert misfire from 23 yards out, giving NY one final chance.

They managed one first down on their drive that began at their 20-yard line with 3:17 to play before Mest threw incomplete on 4th-and-18 at their 23-yard line, ending the game.

Game Highlights

Pennsylvania 28 New York 20

Score by Quarters

New York – 6 14 0 0 – 20

Pennsylvania – 12 8 8 0 – 28

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

PA – Landon Cook 40 yd kickoff return, (kick failed), 14:55

PA – Logan Kohler 13 yd run, (rush failed), 7:32 – 10-84

NY – Carter Capozzi 10 yd run, (kick failed), 3:44 – 8-80

Second Quarter

NY – Joe Mest 2 yd run, (Conner Roulo pat), 14:05 – 5-32

PA – Cook 12 yd run, (Frankie Smith rush), 8:28 – 7-42

NY – Payton Bradley 20 yd pass from Mest, (Roulo pat), 5:55 – 8-80

Third Quarter

PA – Cook 5 yd run, (Smith rush), 3:16 – 3-16

Individual Stats

Rushing: NY -Domonick Hirliman 9-61, Jake Zeigler 10-23, Mest 9-13, Capozzi 3-2, Winter Mentley-Peters 3-9, Dylan Swanson 1-4. Totals: 35-112. PA – Smith 19-125, Shane Magee 12-50, Jonah Ganoe 8-20, Logan Penley 3-8, Kohler 12-26, Cook 4-26, Team 3-(-3). Totals: 61-252.

Receiving: NY – Bradley 9-134, Kingston Loucks 3-21, Lukas Barrett 4-48, Adam Roe 1-25, Mentley-Peters 1-27, Zeigler 1-14, Swanson 1-5. PA – Kohler 1-3.

Passing: NY – Mest 13-for-21, 161 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, Capozzi 7-for-15, 103 yards, 1 INT. PA – Magee 1-for-3, 3 yards.

Interceptions: PA – Cook, Smith

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