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Steelton-Highspire advances to State Semifinals with victory over Lackawanna Trail

Tagged under: District 2, District 3, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

| November 25, 2023

Photo by Lindsey Bennett

Statistically speaking, Lackawanna Trail was the toughest defense Steelton-Highspire faced so far this season. The Steamrollers offense was up for the challenge on this frigid night as Steelton-Highspire defeated Lackawanna Trail 43-25 to advance to the Class A State Semifinals. Senior quarterback Alex Erby about coming into Scranton and getting the victory. “We knew we had to come in here, two hours and 20 minutes away. It was a hostile environment. So coming into the game, we came in and played our game. We were ready to face adversity.” The senior quarterback said.

The Steamrollers started with the ball. On a third and 3, Alex Erby found Jaieon Perry for a 61 yard catch to the Lackawanna Trail six yard line. After a four yard gain on first and goal, Erby scored from two yards out and the two point conversion made it 8-0 with 9:44 to go in the first quarter.

After a three and out by the Lions, Steelton got the ball at their own one yard line. Erby found Rell Ceasar Jr on back-to-back plays for 10 and 22 yards. The Rollers faced a fourth and 4 from the Lackawanna Trail 22 yard line and Erby found Ceasar Jr from 22 yards out to make it 15-0 with 1:41 remaining in the first quarter.

Lackawanna Trail ended the first quarter with a 13 yard run by Demetrius Douglas. Two plays later, the Lions fumbled and Steel High recovered the fumble. The Lion drove down the field but penalties hurt the drive and were forced to punt. After the Rollers defense forced another punt, Ronald Burnette Jr scored from 57 yards out to make it 22-0 with 5:44 to go in the second quarter.

Lackawanna Trail did get on the board as Stephen Jervis scored from one yard out to make it 22-6 in favor of Steelton with 2:25 to go in the first half. The Steamrollers get the ball at their own 47 yard line. Erby found Ceasar for a 30 yard gain to the 22 yard line. After a pass interference on the Lions, Steelton got the ball at the Lackawanna Trail 11 yard line with six seconds left. Erby found Perry for an 11 yard score and a 29-6 Rollers lead at halftime.

Heading into the second half, the Lions got the second half kickoff and Isaac Ryon returned the kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead down to 29-12. The third quarter rolled along as Steelton-Highspire punted on their first possession of the second half and Lackawanna Trail had a turnover on downs.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Perry went 42 yards for a touchdown as the Steamrollers took a 36-12 lead with 11:51 to go in the game. Lackawanna Trail got a touchdown as Jervis found Max Kimmel from 18 yards out on a fourth and 5 to make it 36-18. Steelton got a score as Erby found Ceasar for a 38 yard touchdown for a 43-18 lead. The Lions got the final touchdown of the game as Lukas Gumble scored from one yard out for a 43-25 game. The Rollers ran out the clock as they advanced to the State Semifinals with a 43-25 victory at Scranton Memorial Stadium.

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