Nanticoke gets first win over Susquehanna

Tagged under: District 2, Gameday Hub, News

John Kotsko | September 25, 2021

One thing was certain in Friday night’s game. One of these two teams were going to get their first win of the season. It ended up being a defensive struggle for 48 minutes. The Trojans came out on top for their first win as they defeated Susquehanna 7-6. “My hat goes off to our kids, they battled, had a great week of practice and we competed.” Nanticoke Head Coach Ron Bruza said.

After the Trojans defense stopped the Sabers on the opening drive, Nanticoke took over. It took two plays as Zach Fox ended up going 60 yards for the score and a 7-0 Trojan lead with 9:11 remaining in the first quarter. The rest of the first half ended up being each team’s defense answering.

During the first half, there were four punts, two interceptions, a fumble recovery by Nanticoke and two turnover on downs. “We jockeyed some things up and challenged them to compete.” Bruza said about his defense tonight. “Our defense did well, not sure about the time of possession but our offense didn’t have the ball much.” Susquehanna Head Coach Kyle Cook said about his defense tonight.

The Sabers got a stop on the opening drive of the second half to force a Trojans punt. A botched snap gave Susquehanna great field position at the Nanticoke 22 yard line. The drive ended with a Colton Stone one yard touchdown run. Nanticoke kept the lead as the PAT sailed wide right and it was 7-6 with 9:01 remaining in the third quarter. After both teams traded defensive stops, Nanticoke ended up on a long drive that went through the end of the third quarter and halfway through the fourth quarter. The Trojans faced a fourth and goal at the Sabers three yard line but Susquehanna caused a two yard loss as the Sabers took over at their own five yard line needing a touchdown.

The Sabers faced a fourth and 7 at their own 19 yard line. Stone went to JJ Rosa and Rosa got just to the chains for a first down. Stone found Jesse DeLousia for 29 on the next play to get to midfield. Susquehanna faced another fourth down. A fourth and 3 from the Trojan 43 yard line with 2:12 to go and the Sabers used their final timeout. Stone found DeLousia once again for a seven yard completion to the 36 yard line. After three straight incompletions, the Sabers faced their third fourth down and Stone’s pass fell incomplete with Aidan Jaskulski making the defensive stop as the Trojans sealed their first win 7-6.

Sabers Head Coach Kyle Cook on the final drive. “Things that we were running the last two weeks have been working. We had enough protection to get the short passes but we didn’t have enough on that last drive.” Cook on his opponent Nanticoke. “We knew coming in they were a physical team just from the teams they were playing. I didn’t think they would be that physical.” Nanticoke Area Head Coach Ron Bruza on Susquehanna. “It’s always a game that can go either way. They are tough kids, Coach Cook does a great job.” The Trojans will travel to Pittston Area next Friday night to take on the Patriots. The Sabers will be home and will face the Crusaders of Holy Cross.

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