Penn-Trafford’s game-winning touchdown caps 12-point comeback over Moon

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Annabelle Aquino | September 6, 2025

Even after the Moon Tigers went on a 24-point run and doubled Penn-Trafford’s score with under five minutes left in the game, the Warriors fought back to become the only undefeated team on the field this Friday.

To conclude a 95-yard drive in under one minute, P-T’s Landyn Stikkel caught the game-winning pass thrown by quarterback Nate Desmond with 6.8 seconds left, sealing the Warriors’ 25-24 victory.

Sophomore sensation Cody Yacamelli totaled two touchdowns for the night, including a score that put the Warriors in striking distance, 25-18 with 3:37 left before Stikkel’s touchdown.

“We showed heart tonight. We kept playing the whole way,” Yacamelli said. “We came together as a team really. You can’t get down in situations like that.”

Penn-Trafford senior quarterback Nate Desmond runs the ball against Moon at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 5. Desmond threw for 241 yards this Friday.

The nonconference matchup featured two previously undefeated teams. The most notable meeting between P-T (3-0) and Moon (2-1) occurred at the WPIAL Class 5A championship in 2021, with P-T reigning victorious after a Moon missed field goal. Both games came down to the wire.

“All 11 guys on the field and including all the people on the sidelines, they never doubted us,” Stikkel said.

Riddled with injuries, the Warriors were forced to battle back without junior running back Ben Grabowski, who is out with a foot injury, senior captain Jamison Yurt and junior lineman Marlo Robinson.

The rollercoaster game began with a 12-0 lead from the Warriors before Moon, led by senior quarterback Andrew Cross, rallied his team to earn 24 consecutive points.

Moon’s Mason Hook runs out holding the American Flag on Sept. 5 as his team takes the field against Penn-Trafford.

Yacamelli ran in for the first touchdown of the game. Five minutes later, Desmond rushed in for the second. After both quarterback touchdowns, Moon’s defense blocked both extra points. P-T led 12-0 at the end of the first quarter.

After having their own field goal blocked, the Tigers responded by blocking P-T’s fourth down punt. Senior Braeden Stuart scooped up the fumble and ran it into the endzone with 3:07 left in the first half.

Stuart ran in to score another touchdown before the half, taking the lead from the Warriors. The Tigers led 14-12 at the half.

The third quarter was the lowest-scoring, but the Tigers continued to extend their lead. Moon’s Evan Senkevich knocked down a field goal with 5:33 left, boosting their lead to 17-12. Junior Nick Ponko recorded an interception with 23 seconds left in the quarter, but the Warriors could not translate the possession to points.

The Tigers extended their lead further when Cross passed to junior Savario Vandetti, who ran in for another Moon touchdown. At their largest deficit, P-T trailed 24-12 with 5:44 remaining.

Moon quarterback Andrew Cross throws the ball in the second half. Moon fell to Penn-Trafford 25-24 on Sept. 5.

The Warriors then regained the same spirit they began the game with. P-T drove down the field before Yacamelli ran 5 yards into the endzone. The Warriors were down 24-19 with 3:37 remaining.

Embracing the momentum shift, the Warriors’ defense rallied together to force Moon to punt on fourth down. The Warriors began their final drive with 53 seconds left from their own 5-yard line.

Two completions caught by P-T’s Nico Casciato brought the ball to the 39-yard line with under 30 seconds remaining. Another catch by senior Colton Tyburski lined the Warriors up on the 10-yard line. Two consecutive incomplete passes and a flag pushed P-T to 2nd and 15. 

Desmond then threw the ball to Stikkel, who ran in for the game-winning touchdown with 6.8 seconds left.

The Warriors held on to their 25-24 lead for the remaining seconds.

Senior Nico Casciato runs the ball in the first quarter against Moon on Sept. 5. Casciato had 46 receiving yards.

Penn-Trafford will travel to Woodlands Hills next week for the Warriors’ third away game in a row. Moon will travel to West Alleghany following their home opener against P-T.

Contributions by Mia Williams

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