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The Moon Township Tigers Defeat the Gateway Gators in a 35-31 Thriller

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

| November 4, 2023

Going into the game the Moon Township Tigers, as well as the Gateway Gators, both finished the regular season with (5-5) overall records. Moon traveled to Gateway for a first round 5A matchup.

Moon opened up the game with a statement. With 2:30 left in the first quarter and still on their first drive, Josh Bladel scored the first touchdown of the game which would be his first of three on the night.

On Gateway’s opening drive they took it inside Moon territory until Brad Birch was intercepted by Jared Moyer of Moon. However, Moon did not capitalize. It was then on Gateway’s second drive where they found the endzone. Moon led 7-6 after a botched extra point attempt from Gateway with 9:00 remaining in the first half.


On the very next play Gateway tried a surprise onside kick, but Moon was not fooled and returned it for an onside kick recovery touchdown. The touchdown was negated after an odd ruling on the play. Moon did not end up scoring on this drive.

Gateway took advantage of the Tigers missed opportunity and scored on a 61-yard punt return touchdown from Kenny Lewis. Gateway took the lead with 6:25 left in the half. Moon answered back with a quarterback sneak from Andrew Cross right before the end of the half. The drive before the half was very similar to the opening drive as Moon ran the clock all the way down to the near end of the quarter.

HALFTIME:

MOON (5)           14

GATEWAY (4)    13

 

Gateway started with the ball to open the half, but only settled for a field goal, which was their only field goal on the night. Gateway led 16-14 with 9:30 left in quarter three. With the game being as physical as it was up to that point, no team shut off its motor. Moon came right down the field and responded with a play-action touchdown pass from Andrew Cross to Lucas Bender. Moon took the lead 21-16 with 5:26 in the third quarter.

Gateway had all the athletic ability any team can ask for in the skill positions. This time around with the response, it was Gateway’s Steven Jenkins from Brad Birch to put the Gators back on top. Gateway ran a two-point pop pass play which gave them the 24-21 lead over Moon late in the third quarter.

Moon had the ball with 3:30 left in the third quarter and scored with 8:58 left in regulation with Bladel’s second of the game. That drive was Moon’s third touchdown drive with at least six minutes of possession time in each individual drive. Moon took the lead 28-24 over Gateway.

Where stars are born are in the waning moments of football games and this time it was Kenny Lewis again with his second sixty plus yard touchdown of the night. Lewis scored on a screen pass with 8:00 left in the game to put Gateway back on top 31-28.

After a few big fourth down conversions in a drive to keep their season alive, Moon punctuated with Bladel’s third touchdown of the game. Moon once again led 35-31, this time only 3:10 left in the game!

On the final drive and strive for glory and all success, both teams had spotlight worthy plays. Gateway converted two fourth down conversions in a stadium in which echoed during the climax of the game. Moon also broke through with a big sack from Nick Clemens. Gateway thought they had won the game with a touchdown run from quarterback Brad Birch. Yet he crossed the plain only to see yellow laundry in the backfield. The call was holding. With one last chance for the season, Birch stepped up but was intercepted by Moon safety Nicky Prozzoly. The Tigers went on to take it home, on the road, in victory formation.


FINAL:

MOON (5)            35

GATEWAY (4)     31

 

NEXT WEEK:

MOON (4)

VS *(neutral site)*

PETERS TWP. (1)

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
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