Trending
BRADFORD, Pa. -- Injuries limited the Pennsylvania roster to the minimum size for the Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic football game against New York at Bradford Area High School's Parkway Field on Saturday. The depleted hosts were hoping for an early boost and it came right away.
New York attempted to catch Pennsylvania off guard on the opening kick off, opting for an onside kick attempt, but the kick came too short which would have resulted in illegal touching for the kicking team. However, Landon Cook of St. Marys quickly scooped the ball and caught everyone off guard as he ran it back to the house for an early 6-0 lead.
The two sides went back and forth, but the early score gave Pennsylvania the confidence they needed to come away with an eventual 28-20 victory.
From the start, Pennsylvania set the precedent that if New York made a mistake that they would make it hurt.
New York failed to capitalize on the first trip to the redzone as Pennsylvania forced a turnover on downs, standing tall at 4th and 3 on the 16-yard line. Pennsylvania, in large thanks to Frankie Smith of St. Marys had no problem running into New York territory and it was Bradford's Logan Kohler finishing off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown for a 12-0 lead in the first quarter.
New York clawed back into the game and even moved in front early in the second quarter, but mistakes opened the door for Pennsylvania. Cook continued to do it all for the hosts, intercepting New York as they looked to drive and extend their lead.
Instead it was Pennsylvania getting on the board next as Cook was able to cap off the drive and cash in on his interception for a 20-13 lead in the second quarter.
The interception got Pennsylvania right back in the game as it looked like New York found their footing after getting on the board when Gowanda's Carter Capozzi finished a drive under center by deciding to rely on his legs for a touchdown.
New York then benefitted from a fumble that Pine Valley's Camryn Slade scooped up and finished things off with Olean's Joe Mest going on a quarterback keeper for the 13-12 lead.
Pennsylvania prevented New York from pulling away, but it did knock the visitors out of the game.
Before the end of the half, New York was able to orchestrate another impressive drive with the offensive group led by Mest under center. The Olean quarterback found a great connection with Salamanca's Payton Bradley and it resulted in an easy touchdown in the corner of the endzone to bring the score level before halftime at 20-20.
After an explosive first half, the correct adjustments were made to bring both offenses to a screeching halt.
It was once again a big defensive play for Pennsylvania that tilted the game in their favor. This time it was Smith coming up with an interception and they quickly cashed in as Cook scored his third touchdown of the game.
Smith again added a 2-point conversion, really putting the pressure on New York to find an answer and then some down 28-20.
New York was able to get into the Pennsylvania redzone in the fourth quarter, but a great defensive stand resulted in another turnover on downs. That would be as close as New York got again to tying the game and Pennsylvania evened the series with both teams matching records at 25-25-3.