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POTTSGROVE NARROWLY ADVANCES IN STATE 4A PLAYOFF RUN TO STATE GOLD @shoresports2 @PGFalconsFB

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| November 17, 2018

SLATINGTON- Jersey Shore came into Friday night’s PIAA State 4A playoff game with an 7-5 record going up against a Pottsgrove team that was 11-1 from champions of highly-competitive District 1 and ranked in tthe top 10 teams in the state. On paper this game looked like mismatch, but alas this is playoff time and teams sometimes can reach down deep and find that heart and drive with dreams of getting to Hershey in a few weeks and come out as state champions.

On a cold wind-swept night at Northern Lehigh High School Bulldog Stadium and with piles of snow outlying the playing surface, the Bulldogs of Jersey Shore Bulldogs gave everything they had but came up just short of a upset-bid against the Pottsgrove Falcons by a count of 14-10 before a small contigent of fans in Slatington.

The Bulldogs got off to a quick start, going no-huddle on their opening possession, going 70 yards with a mix of pass and runs including a 30 yard pass to Koby Peacock from quarterback Tanner Lorson and a 23 yard completion to Stanton Westlin to the Falcon 6. Lorson found Dawson Sechrist in the right flat for a score and a 7-0 lead with the PAT with 9:29 left in the quarter.

Pottsgrove knotted the score at seven later in the quarter, after the Falcons had a field goal attempt block on their first possession and an exchange of punts, they took over at their own 22 yard line. They moved to ball to 33 on two plays, from there speedy RB Isaiah Taylor found a seam and ripped off a 67 run to paydirt.

The second quarter highlight was an 18 play drive by Pottsgrove, that included a fake-punt, two third down conversions as well as decisions to go twice on fourth down that were converted. The fake-punt was a fouth and two at the Falcon 41. The ball was snaped to the upback who just managed to stretch the ball past the yard to gain at the 43. Eleven plays later quarterback Jay Sisco snuck into the end zone from a yard out for a 14-7 lead at intermission.

Jersey shore had a chance to take the lead late in the third quarter as they drove deep into Falcons territory, but with ball sitting on the Pottsgrove five yard line and facing a third and goal situation. Lorson had Sechrist open in the end zone, but the ball just slipped through the fingers of the running back and fell incomplete. They had to settle for a 22 yard field goal by Cameron Griffen to cut the defceit to the final margin.

The final quarter was a turnover-fest as the Bulldogs turned it over four times and the Falcons returned the favor twice. The last turnover with about a minute to play Lorson overthrew his intended receiver and DB Jimai Springfield made an over the shoulder pick near the sidelines that sealed the deal.

Taylor led the way for the victors with 30 carries for 160 yards. while Lorson threw fow 220 yards for the Falcons. This was the first playoff win in the history of Falcon football.

“It’s great getting that first win in the post-season.” Pottsgrove coach Bill Hawthorn stated afterward. “That is a good team over there(Jersey Shore), they had some success in the passing game, we just needed to tighten things up in the secondary and getting those turnovers late took away any momentum they had.” He concluded.

Pottsgrove now awaits the winner of Saturday’s game between District XI foes Saucon Valley and Bethlehem Catholic that is scheduled for Bethlehem Area School District Stadium at 7pm.

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