Penn-Trafford tramples Franklin Regional 48-14

Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

Annabelle Aquino | October 11, 2025

The Penn-Trafford Warriors rolled past the Franklin Regional Panthers 48-14 this Friday, leading 21-0 after the first quarter and never looking back.

The Franklin Regional Panthers and Penn-Trafford Warriors line up against each other on October 10. The Warriors prevailed over Franklin Regional, winning 48-14.

P-T junior Ben Grabowski scored three touchdowns, including a 73-yard and a 55-yard rush.

“I was just trusting my blocking. I had faith in everyone who blocked for me. I just found the hole,” Grabowski said.

P-T senior quarterback Nate Desmond talks with coach John Ruane in their game against the Franklin Regional Panthers.

The Big East Conference game featured Penn-Trafford (7-1, 3-1) against Franklin Regional (1-7, 0-4). The Panthers returned Nick Devola as the starting quarterback after missing a few games due to injury.

Both teams entered the game riding the momentum of previous wins. Franklin Regional picked up its first win last week against Fox Chapel (2-6), and the Warriors earned a homecoming victory over Gateway (2-6).

“We came into this game knowing what we had to do,” junior Nick Ponko said. Ponko, celebrating his birthday, caught a 22-yard pass thrown by senior quarterback Nate Desmond before halftime.

P-T’s momentum started early with a Wildcat snap to Grabowski, who ran in less than two minutes into the game. Junior Landyn Stikkel followed the score up with another touchdown five minutes later.  

Senior Nico Cox runs with the ball in the fourth quarter for Penn-Trafford. The Warriors won 48-14 on October 10.

With just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Grabowski ran 73 yards down the field, securing a 21-0 lead going into the second quarter.

P-T sophomore Jack Miller then kicked a 36-yard field goal, boosting their lead to 24-0. Miller did not miss a kick the entire game.

Franklin Regional finally picked up some momentum, intercepting Desomond’s pass and running in for a touchdown. Kaydon Ferrell’s pick-6 put the Panthers’ first score on the board.

10 seconds later, Grabowski rushed 55 yards downfield to boost the Warriors to 31-7. After P-T’s defense held strong, the Warriors turned back to offense, where Ponko caught his touchdown.  

“Playing against my cousins over there, it feels great. Family is around here, it’s amazing,” Ponko said, who celebrated his birthday this Friday.

Right before halftime, Miller knocked down a 47-yard field goal, the second-longest in P-T history. 

P-T sophomore quarterback Cody Yacamelli talks with his team in their game against Franklin Regional on October 10.

Leading 41-7 coming out of halftime, the Warriors continued to keep the momentum rolling. Stikkel scored his second touchdown of the night, catching Desmond’s pass at the 20-yard line and dodging tackles to enter the endzone. P-T senior Evan Sadler followed up the score with the extra point.

“It definitely feels good. We came out here knowing we just had to execute. We knew coming into this game, it was a big game, so we had to put it on them,” Stikkel said.

The Warriors subbed through their lineup, allowing one more Panther score before the end. Running back Jet Taylor rushed the ball for another touchdown, followed by a successful extra point by Luca Aguilera.

 P-T will play at home against Armstrong (3-5 next week). Franklin Regional will play away at Woodland Hills (6-2).

“We just have to come out the same, play as a team and win,” Stikkel said.

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