Unlike two weeks ago, Comets unable to score against Red Dragons!

Tagged under: District 6, Game Photos, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

Greg Ricupero | November 10, 2023

D6 Single A Semi #2 Heritage Conference Game

#6 Penns Manor Comets (6-5) at #2 Purchase Line Red Dragons (8-3)

Last Meeting 10/27/23 PM 22@ PL 19 Week #10

Comets PF 20.6 PA 18.1

Dragons PF 25.3 PA 18.2

Purchase Line scored 19 points and loss to Penns Manor by three, two weeks ago. Unlike two weeks ago the Comets did not score. The Dragons took the opening possession on a 10 play 44 drive to the Comets twelve yard line. After a false start quarterback John Elick threw incomplete on fourth down. The Comets who average less than 30 yards per game passing needed to be able to run the ball to win. They would struggle all night. They gained one first down before quarterback Amin Lieb was sacked on third down by sophomore Seth Frantz.

After a time consuming first drive the Dragons would throw deep on the second play just missing Jaylin Robertson who got behind the defense. On third and long Carter Smith sacked Elick forcing the games first turnover. The games second turnover occurred on the games next play. Amin tried to throw a quick slant and Elick picked it off and danced thru the Comets for a 63 yard pick six. Jakob Mountain added the extra point.

On the Comets next possession they faced a fourth and two, faked like they were going for it and punted with no Dragons deep. The rest of the half would see the Dragons pinned deep. They went three and out from their own eleven hurting themselves with a pair of penalties. At this point every penalty had gone against PL. A good punt return by Lieb put them at the Dragon 35. On second and nine Lieb went back to throw , three Dragons had their hands on him as he threw off balance to Smith in the right flat. Smith caught the ball and beat the defense to the edge and raced 34 yards for the tying touchdown. One problem, the Comets were flagged for an illegal man downfield. Another penalty after a near pick six by John Hughes and the Comets punted again. This time the Dragons let the punt roll and the Comets downed the ball at the two. Purchase Line starting at their own two held the ball for six minutes and five seconds. They moved the ball mainly on the ground with a couple of passes mixed in. On fourth and three from the Comets 28, Elick was sacked. The Comets had the ball with forty seconds to go and were able to gain one first down. It was 7-0 Dragons at the half.

When I do a game I walk around the field numerous times and I’m usually on both sidelines for a period of time. I got two great quotes on the PL sideline just before the third quarter started and one about half way thru the third quarter. Coach Matt Falisec to Jaylin Robertson “ If we don’t let them score they can’t win” right before the second half kickoff. The Comets got the ball first and ran the ball seven straight times coming up just short on fourth and five from the PL 40. PL defensive coordinator Chad Small “ Can I get some help (from the offense)?” The Dragons offense would response with a 10 play 60 yard touchdown drive. A third down pass from Elick to sophomore Shawn Marsh was the big play giving the Dragons first and ten from the Comets 15. Brock Small who had been stuffed repeatedly scored from 15 yards out on the next play and with about 16 minutes to play PL led 13-0. The Comets starting at their own 35, threw short on their first play, the ball was tipped but caught for a short gain. Another near interception and the Comets went back to the ground. On the next play Brayden Pytash took the ball on a counter and found daylight. He appeared on his way for a long gain when Victor Bartlebaugh came out of nowhere and made a touchdown saving tackle. Five runs later and it was fourth and two from the PL 23. The Dragon defense came up big again stopping the Comets just short. The Dragons ran one play and switched ends of the field for the start of the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter started with a bang as Small raced through the Comets defense for a 74 yard touchdown. Down 19-0 the Comets now had to throw. On fourth and four from their own 37. Lieb was almost sack scrambled to his right and found Dylan Kuzemchack behind the defense. Kuzemchack was chased down from behind at the PL 16. Four plays later on fourth and twelve Lieb was forced from the pocket and came up short. The Dragons would move the ball 48 yards mainly behind Elick runs taking almost seven minutes off the clock. They punted from the Comets 37 with just over two minutes to go. They made one final stop again another near pick six by Marsh. Two victory formations later and PL had punched their ticket to the District VI Title Game. The Dragons controlled the ball for over 28 minutes and their defense pitched a shutout. They made the big plays when they needed to and forced the Comets to throw the ball. I’m really happy for the Dragons it was the best game I’ve seen them play all year and it came at the right time of the year.

PM 0- 0- 0- 0= 0

PL 7- 0- 6- 6=19

PL-John Elick 63 interception return xp Jakob Mountain 1:20 (0-7)

PL-Brock Small 15 run xp ng 3:55 (0-13)

PL-Small 74 run xp ng 11:46 (0-19)

For more pics and videos

Follow me on Twitter @GregoryRicupero

And on Facebook- my page is

Gregory Ricupero Sports Network