Stream Pennsylvania High School Football on the NFHS Network
 
 

Lake Lehman Uses Defense to Beat Berwick

Tagged under: District 2, News, pfn

| August 23, 2024

Once again we find ourselves ready for another season of Pennsylvania High School Football. As winter gave way to spring, and spring did the same to summer, they welcomed in the High School Football season. As the days of summer decimate, High School Football sees a revitalization. The nation’s favorite sport has returned for another season of intrigue, drama, and excitement in front of those hometown lights.

The backdrop for this week 0 encounter was the beautiful and historic Crispin Field. Names like Orlando and Powlus have lit up this place on countless Friday Nights. Although the name left out of that list is certainly the largest and most impactful, Curry. When George Curry retired, he was the winningest coach in PA High School Football history. In his last run at a State Championship in 2013, his grandson, CJ Curry was the signal caller. 11 years later Curry is back on the sidelines, this time the headset is on CJ. Could a Curry back at the helm mean Berwick Football is back to its glory days? Maybe, but not tonight, not in week 0 against Lake Lehman.

The Lake Lehman Black Knights have struggled as of late, winning just 8 games over the last 3 years. Head Coach Jerry Gilsky has been there for nine years now. Lake Lehman had success in his first few years but had failed in the last three. Lake Lehman was able to retain 17 starters from a year ago, and the offseason training and improvement showed tonight.

After a couple of stalled drives, Berwick was able to get on the board in the first quarter. Ashton Smith connected on a perfect ball to Billy Hanson, and Berwick led 7-0. Hanson had 26 receptions for 209 yards and a TD a year ago, and is off to a great start this year as the Dawgs #1 weapon on offense

The theme of this game was evident early, goalline stops. Both teams had multiple goalline opportunities in this game. ” It starts up front, its all about sled work, sled work, sled work… we rotated guys in throughout the game. Defensively upfront we always had fresh wheels in there. This game was a long game, the atmosphere was great and the kids loved it. I’m very proud of them today” Said Lake Lehman Head Coach Jerry Gilsky following the win. All throughout the night the defensive line of Lake Lehman caused problems for the Berwick front.

Out of the many plays that ran inside the 5-yard line, only one went for a score. Hayden Evans, who effectively used his legs all day, got in to tie the game up at 7.

As most opening-week games are, it was sloppy, and both offenses could not move the ball. Failed 4th-down attempts, punts, and just flat-out bad offense had the game tied late into the 4th-quarter.

After a scramble for a score earlier, Hayden Evans loaded up to his main target Chris Sholtis and found the endzone to give Lake Lehman the lead, and eventually the win, 13-7.

After a rough 2-9 season last year, Lake Lehman gets a W to start the season which could help them throughout this year. ” Every coach says it’s the best scenario to have a week one win, but a week one win that was a dogfight… the players had to find every avenue of success out there. I commend everybody, I commend our sidelines… the win is great but now we are moving on to the next game.” Coach Gilsky talked about the importance of a week 1 victory.

This was the most hyped Berwick season since COVID, and they fell short and started the season off on the wrong foot. Throughout the game, the offense struggled to put drives together and turned the ball over multiple times. Defensively, they only allowed 13 points, but Lake Lehhman had their way on offense for most of the night.

Berwick heads to Mid Valley next week at 7 PM, whilst Lake Lehman plays host to Shamokin also at 7PM.

For more follow me HERE

‘

 

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
PA Football News Scoreboard presented by NFHS Network
 
GoRout
 
Showcase by Circle W Sports
 
Football Legends board game
 
 
x