Moon advances to 5A WPIAL semifinals over Penn-Trafford

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Annabelle Aquino | November 7, 2025

Tied 13-13 with just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Penn-Trafford picked up the ball stripped from Moon’s attempted rush. But despite the ensuing boos ringing out at Warrior Stadium and the P-T sideline erupting in anger, the fumble call never came. Moon quarterback Andrew Cross was ruled down at the 20-yard line.

22 seconds later, Moon’s Savario Vandetti caught a 15-yard pass from Cross for the game-winning touchdown.

Controversial call made here at P-T v Moon. Moon player ruled down, P-T fans unhappy with the call
3:45 left in fourth quarter
P-T: 13
Moon: 13@ptwarriorfb @RushPedder @PTWarriors @Moon_Football @PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/5MysLQkt21

— Mia Williams (@Mia_WilliamsPT) November 8, 2025

No. 4 seeded P-T could not pull out the same comeback victory as they did in early September against the Tigers, and No. 5 seeded Moon advanced 20-13 in the rainy quarterfinals of WPIAL Class 5A.

The last time P-T (9-2) met Moon (9-3) was during Week Three, when the Warriors edged out a 25-24 victory after a 12-point comeback. This week, Moon made sure the same result would not happen again.

Moon’s Evan Senkevich blasted in a 41-yard field goal to start the game, putting the Tigers up 3-0 with eight minutes left in the first quarter. 

Penn-Trafford scored its first points with only 25 seconds remaining in the first quarter. After Ben Grabowski barreled his way down the field, senior Nate Desmond took the 1-yard run in for a touchdown.

Penn-Trafford Senior Nate Desmond lands in the endzone for a 1-yard touchdown late in the first quarter on Nov. 7 against Moon.

Another Warrior score came when sophomore Jack Miller succeeded in a 25-yard field goal to put the Warriors up 10-3 going into halftime. 

Coming out of the locker rooms, both teams began to feel the competitive energy, and the first flag of the game was thrown.

After Jayden Revis caught a deep pass thrown by Cross, Cross ran into the endzone, but the possible touchdown was called back after an illegal shift penalty. A delay of game penalty followed. Cross then tripped in the backfield for a 14-yard loss, and the Tigers were left at 4th and 27.

Senkevich lined up to kick, and the 44-yard field goal was good, keeping the Tigers within striking distance, 10-6.

Moon’s Evan Senkevich kicks a 44-yard field goal during the third quarter. Senkevich also nailed a 41-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Revis caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Cross, allowing Moon to take their first lead of the night. At the end of the third quarter, Moon led 13-10.

It seemed the rain made little difference for both kickers, as Miller nailed a 41-yard field goal to tie the game 13-13 with 10:20 left in the fourth quarter.

Then came a pass interference call, pushing the Tigers to the opposite 36-yard line. The ruling that Cross was down before the ball came loose allowed Moon to keep their momentum rolling. Vandetti’s catch with 3:23 left in the fourth raised the Tigers up 20-13.

Moon senior Jayden Revis celebrates after catching a deep pass from Andrew Cross on Nov. 7 against Penn-Trafford.

The Warriors could not manage much progress past the 50-yard line in the remaining time. Little movement and dropped passes left the Warriors on fourth and 9 with just under two minutes. Desmond, under heavy pressure, was forced to throw the ball away on the Warriors’ final possession.

From there, the Tigers caught a first down, sealing their quarterfinal victory. 

Penn-Trafford ended their season 9-2. Moon will advance to the semifinals to play No. 1 Pine-Richland at a location TBD.

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