SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2015-10

By Bill Engelhardt

     ________

Last Friday evening, October 30, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Bobcats of Northeastern and rode the passing arm of Brock Geiman to a 24-7 victory.  The Mustangs are in the hunt for a share of the league crown, needing a victory over the Rockets of Spring Grove next week coupled with a Dallastown Wildcats loss to the Lions of Red Lion to share the crown with the Wildcats.

The Mustangs are currently ranked number 10 for District 3 Class AAAA playoff consideration.  The top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs, with the top 8 getting a home game against a team from the bottom 8 in the first round.  If the rankings remain as they are now the Mustangs would visit the 7th ranked Blue Streaks of Manheim Township in the first round of the playoffs.

The Mustangs opened the game with a 15-play drive that ate up 6:82 on the clock.  The drive featured a punt attempt on a 4th down that involved a bad snap and senior quarterback Brock Geiman, also the punter, alertly threw a 19-yard pass to Corbin Byers for a first down.  The drive ended with Geiman’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Byers.  Wes Sneeringer’s extra point put the Mustangs up 7-0 at the 5:18 mark of the first quarter.

The Bobcats went three and out and attempted to punt but a bad snap ended up with the Mustangs having the ball at the Bobcats 38-yard line.  Seven plays later Geiman threw a beautiful 19-yard touchdown pass to Miles Francis.  Sneeringer’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 14-0 with 1:36 left in the first quarter.

The Bobcats ended up punting again and the Mustangs drove 58-yards, from their own 30-yard line to the Bobcats 12-yard line, in nine plays.  The drive featured a 15-yard run by Jeff Green and a 9-yard run by Jacob Muir, and ended with Sneeringer’s 30-yard field goal.  The Mustangs led 17-0 at the 8:28 mark of the second quarter.

The Bobcats retaliated on the next play as Taemar Willis returned the Mustangs kickoff 92-yards for a touchdown.  Cameron Artman’s extra point kick made the score17-7 in favor of the Mustangs at the 8:14 mark of the second quarter.

The Mustangs and the Bobcats then exchanged punts and the first half ended with no further scoring.

The Bobcats opened the second half with a five play drive and punted.  The Mustangs then drove 64-yards in six plays, featuring a 22-yard run by Mike Johnson, and ending with a picture perfect 46-yard touchdown pass from Geiman to Francis.  Sneeringer’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 24-7 at the 6:41 mark of the third quarter.

The Bobcats next drive ended when Bubba Carbaugh recovered a fumble for the Mustangs.  Skylar Bowman thwarted another Bobcats drive with a sack for a 9-yard loss.  The Mustangs turned the ball over on downs at the Bobcats 25-yard line with 51 seconds left in the game.

Wes Sneeringer kicked off 3 times for 134-yards, for an average of 44.7-yards, with the longest going for 52-yards.  Brock Geiman punted 4 times for 121-yards for an average of 30.3-yards, with the longest going for 38-yards.  Miles Francis returned 2 kickoffs for 50-yards, with the longest going for 33-yards, and 1 punt for 8-yards, for the Mustangs.

Corbin Byers, with 5 tackles and 4 pass hurries, led the Mustang defense, followed by Mike Farace and Matt Smolko with 5 tackles each, Tyler Fulmore with 4 tackles and 1 pass defended, Josh Zeroth with 4 tackles and 1 pass hurry, Skylar Bowman with 3 tackles, a sack for a 9-yard loss, and 3 pass hurries, Zack Hughes with 3 tackles and 1 pass defended, Carson Perry and Quan Marshall with 3 tackles each, Bubba Carbaugh with 2 tackles 1 recovered fumble, and 1 pass hurry, Kaiden Gaylord and Nate VanCampen with 2 tackles each, and Miles Francis, Chris Ginevra, Josh Higdon, Mike Johnson, Noah Langenfeld, and Noah Staub with 1 tackle each.

Skylar Bowman, Corbin Byers, Bubba Carbaugh, Scotty Dickmyer, Mike Farace, Zach Hughes, Quan Marshall, Carson Perry, Evan Raubenstine, Austin Reusing, Matt Smolko, Chris Steckel, Logan Toms, and Josh Zeroth manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions.

Miles Francis, Brock Geiman, Jeff Green, Noah Langenfeld, Noah Staub, and Nate VanCampen patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs gained 169-yards rushing and 134-yards passing for a total of 303-yards of offense.  Senior quarterback Brock Geiman completed 10 of 17 passes for the 134-yards and 3 touchdowns, 2 for 65-yards to Miles Francis, (including touchdowns of 19 and 46-yards), 2 for 26-yards to Corbin Byers, (including an 8-yard touchdown), 2 for 25-yards to Noah Staub, 2 for 10-yards to Zack Hughes, and 2 for 8-yards to Jeff Green, for the Mustangs.  Geiman has completed 79 of 155 passes for 1,237-yards and 17 touchdowns for the season.  Robby Harbison led the Mustangs rushing attack with 12 carries for 49-yards, followed by Hughes with 11 for 33-yards, Green with 6 for 33-yards, Mike Johnson with 6 for 26-yards, Geiman with 4 for 14-yards, Francis with 3 for 8-yards, Jacob Muir with 3 for 7-yards, and Kyle Davis with 1 carry for minus 1-yard.  Wes Sneeringer kicked 3 extra points, Bubba Carbaugh recovered a fumble and recorded a pass hurry, Skylar Bowman recorded a sack for a loss of 9-yards and 3 pass hurries, Byers recorded 4 pass hurries, Hughes and Tyler Fulmore each defended a pass, and Josh Zeroth recorded a pass hurry, for the Mustangs.

The Bobcats gained 112-yards rushing and 9 yards passing for a total of 121 yards gained.  Running back Kody Reeser, filling in at quarterback with all of the quarterbacks out of action, completed 1 of 11 passes to Jordan Zirkle for the 9-yards for the Bobcats.  Reeser led the Bobcats rushing attack with 13 carries for 62-yards, followed by Anu Johnson with 8 carries for 40-yards, and Chris Whack with 4 carries for 10-yards.  Taemar Willis returned a kickoff 92-yards for a touchdown, Cameron Artman kicked 1 extra point, Zach Williams defended 2 passes, and Michael Cooper and Gary Gobernik each caused a fumble, for the Bobcats.

The 10-time Cavalcade of Bands, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring post game performance, presenting their 2015 field show “What If,” a musical and visual depiction of the process of implementing a change and making a difference.  The music is based on Michael Kamen’s “The New Moon in the Old Moon’s Arms.”  The show began with the inception of the idea or change, represented with the theme played by trumpet soloist Veronica Hurst.  Further numbers reflected the encountering of obstacles and challenges standing in the way of goals and a moment of reflection on the purpose and nature of change.  The closer continued to build upon the hope of this change and reached a climax where the change was successful.  The show ended with the fleeting sounds of the musical theme played by trumpet soloist John Dyson.

The 56-member Northeastern Bobcats Marching Band gave a crowd-pleasing half time performance of its show “The American West,” featuring “The Magnificent Seven,” “Blazing Saddles,” “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” “The Horse,” “Desperado,” “Hoe Down from Rodeo,” and “How the West Was Won.”

The 24 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Bobcats’ squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

The Mustangs of South Western are 7-2-0 overall and 5-1-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 353-216-8.  The results of the 577 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .620 winning percentage and a .626 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs visit the Rockets of Spring Grove (4-5 overall, 3-3 league).  Spring Grove is coming off of a 28-14 loss to the Lions of Red Lion.  The Mustangs are looking to remain on the winning track.  GO MUSTANGS GO.

THE GRIDIRON 10 - 2015

 

By Dick Engelhardt 

Last weekend the injury depleted CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High made their fans proud as they beat the INDIANS of Passaic 35-21 in Big North Conference (BNC) crossover action at Boverini Stadium. Captains Dominick Barbarulo, Sefa Basci, Mike Laboy and Krystian Mejias went out for the coin toss and Passaic received. The INDIANS’ single wing formation had Fair Lawn old timers thinking of tailbacks Charlie “Choo Choo” Motta in the 40’s and Dave Sime (Who became “The World’s Fastest Human”), Ed Bucher and Bob Wright (Who went on to play for Army) in the ‘50s under legendary Fair Lawn coach, and Fair Lawn High School Athletic Hall of Fame member, Frank Bennett. With great defensive plays by Bradly Ramirez, Tyler Pollock, Larry Tobe and others, Fair Lawn took over on the 36 yard line and began a 64 yard TD drive. featuring great running by Ramirez and Pollock behind center Robert Figueroa, guards Alex Gutierrez and Laboy and tackles Lucky Abernathy, Tarron Douglas and Jon Rivkin. Ramirez’ TD run but Fair Lawn up 6-0. With Abernathy snapping and Damian Rongo holding, the sure footed Ryan Rue licked the extra point and Fair Lawn led 7-0. Fair Lawn’s next drive started from the 6 and was capped by Ramirez’ 64 yard TD gallop that had Fair Lawn up 13-0 at the half.

In the 2nd half, 2 fumbles returned for TDs had Passaic ahead 14-13. Not to worry. Tobe returned the kickoff to the Passaic 25 and Pollock’s TD run put our CUTTERS ahead for good at 20-14. Pollock’s TD run made it 26-14 and Ramirez’s 2 point conversion run behind a great block by Gal Harari, put Fair Lawn up 28-14. The INDIANS scored and trailed by 28-21 and there was no quit in them but, with 25 seconds on the clock, Ramirez’s 1 yard TD plunge and Rue’s extra point kick sealed the victory! The win brought Fair Lawn’s record against Passaic to 6-3 (.667). Former Passaic Coach Bill Curry said hello remembering the thrilling 39-38 Fair Lawn playoff win in 2009.        

Fair Lawn’s BNC Liberty Division went 1-3 (.250) against outside opposition, with only Fair Lawn winning. The champion BULLDOGS of Passaic County Technical Institute were edged 20-14 in overtime by the MAROONS of Ridgewood. The FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High were shocked 28-0 by the BEARS of Bergenfield with a Clifton player recovering a fumble and pulling a “wrong way Corrigan” scoring a safety for Bergenfield! It was nice to see my friend, Bergenfield announcer Howie Conklin again! The GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside were shutout 28-0 by the COMETS of Hackensack. The Division is 9-9 (.500) against outside foes so far.

This Saturday at 2:00 our CUTTERS will host the KNIGHTS of JFK of Paterson in BNC crossover action. It is the last scheduled “Home” game so senior players, cheerleaders and band members will be honored. The old Paterson Central was the Turkey Day rival of Paterson Eastside and most Fair Lawn students attended Eastside before FLHS opened in 1943. During 1951-56 and 58 Fair Lawn went 5-2 (.714) over the COLTS of Central High. In 1988 the successor KNIGHTS of JFK beat our CUTTERS 20-6 in the States while, in the 2003 State “Consolation Game,” our CUTTERS prevailed 20-0. During 1951-56 independently, in the playoffs in 1988, in a Consolation game in 2003, in the North Jersey Tri-County Conference (NJTCC) in 2009 and in the BNC 2010-14, Fair Lawn has gone 8-7 (.533) over Central/ Kennedy.

The KNIGHTS are 2-5 (.286) and have been outscored 172-89 for an average 25-13 loss. Fair Lawn is 2-6 (.250) and has been outscored 237-115 for an average 30-14 loss. Kennedy coach Ron Jackson has been known to run up the score while ahead late in the game as he did in last year’s 34-7 win. It’s payback time! From here it looks like Fair Lawn 28 – JFK 13. GO CUTTERS GO!!!

York and Adams County Report – Week 8

By Bill Engelhardt

     ________

Stat Stars of the Week

OFFENSE: 

Passing: (200 yds or more)

213 yds – Koran Jordan - Conrad Weiser

Passing: (200 yds or more)

310 yds – Tad Pequignot – Dover

303 yds – Darian Mort – Fairfield

294 yds – Cade Gold – Dallastown

208 yds – Kyle Krout - Hanover

208 yds – Thomas Merkle – York Suburban

Touchdown Passes: (4 or more)

4 – Brock Geiman – South Western

4 - Tad Pequignot – Dover

4 – Curtis Robison – Northern York

Receiving: (100 yds or more)

161 yds – Collin Mailman – York Suburban

151 yds – Aaron Moore – Fairfield

140 yds – David Ankney – Northeastern

132 yds – Durran Ledbetter – Dover

127 yds – Juwaun McMillian – Dallastown

120 yds – Andrew Swaisgood – Northern York

Touchdowns: (4 or more)

4 – Tavian Dorsey – Delone Catholic

DEFENSE:

Fumble Returns for Touchdowns:

32 yds – Dustin Knaub – York Suburban

Interception Returns for Touchdowns:

37 yds – Carson Perry – South Western

35 yds – Kendrick Boyd-Gillespie – Red Lion

Interceptions: (2 or more)

2 Blake King – Spring Grove

Fumble Recoveries: (2 or more)

2 – Owen Blaschak – Northern York

Tackles: (10 or More)

11 – Quinn Bacha – Central York

11 – Devin Reed – Northern York

11 – Kollin Vaught – Central York

10 - Lionel Edoukou – Central York

10 – Gunnar Renninger – Northern York

Sacks: (3 or more)

3 – Corbin Byers – South Western

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Kickoff Returns for Touchdowns:

92 yds – Kyrin Zimmerman – Greencastle-Antrim

85 yds – Jacob Deppen – Kennard-Dale

85 yds – Resean Williams - Hanover

81 yds – Ryan Hart – Delone Catholic

Kicking: Multiple Field Goals

2 – Chad Stout – Red Land (40 and 34-yds)

Field Goals: 30 Yards or More:

40 yds – Chad Stout – Red Land

35 yds – Aidan Alves – Northern York

34 yds – Chad Stout – Red Land

32 yds – Adam Hedgeland – Susquehannock

District 3 Notes for York & Adams Counties – Week 8

York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I action:

The Mustangs of South Western (6-2 overall, 4-1 League) defeated the Bearcats of William Penn, York High, (0-8 overall, 0-5 league) 46-0 in league action.  The Mustangs gained 209-yards rushing and 143-yards passing for a total of 352-yards of offense. Senior quarterback Brock Geiman completed 9 of 15 passes for the 143-yards and 4 touchdowns, 2 for 52-yards to Jeff Green (including touchdowns of 24 and 28-yards), 2 for 28-yards to Noah Staub (including a 17-yard touchdown), 2 for 28-yards to Zack Hughes, 1 for 18-yards and a touchdown to Matt Smolko, 1 for 9-yards to Corbin Byers, and 1 for 8-yards to Mike Johnson, for the Mustangs.  Geiman has completed 69 of 138 passes for 1,103-yards and 14 touchdowns for the season.  Hughes led the Mustangs rushing attack with 4 carries for 39-yards, followed by Johnson with 4 for 26-yards, Geiman with 3 for 26-yards (including a 2-yard touchdown), Thaddeus Davis with 4 for 24-yards, Miles Francis with 4 for 23-yards, Delunche Shaw with 4 for 17 (including a 6-yard touchdown), Grayson Wingert with 4 for 17, Green with 2 for 13, Robby Harbison with 2 for 13, Wyatt Laudicina with 1 for 7-yards, Nigel Williams with 6 for 6-yards, Kyle Davis with 1 for 5-yards, Josh Higdon with 2 for minus 2-yards, Jacob Muir with 2 for minus 4-yards, and a team loss of 1-yard.  Carson Perry intercepted a pass and returned it 37-yards for a touchdown, Wes Sneeringer kicked 4 extra points, Noah Langenfeld intercepted a pass and returned it 13-yards, Mike Farace recovered a fumble, and Byers recorded 3 sacks, for losses of 9, 10, and 6-yards, and recorded 5 pass hurries, for the Mustangs.  The Mustangs are currently ranked number 9 for District 3 Class AAAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.    The Bearcats gained 67-yards rushing and 73 yards passing for a total of 140 yards gained.  Quarterback Angel DeJesus completed 4 of 6 passes for 63-yards and quarterback Andrew Gibbs completed 3 of 9 passes for 10-yards, for the Bearcats.  Nykam Beverly caught 1 pass for 37-yards, Justin Colston caught 1 pass for 14-yards, Andrew Radzik caught 1 pass for 9-yards, Nyshaun Ritter caught 1 pass for 8-yards, Eric Mann caught 1 pass for 4-yards, and DeJesus caught 2 passes for 1-yard, for the Bearcats.  Khalid Dorsey led the Bearcats rushing attack with 5 carries for 32-yards, followed by DeJesus with 4 for 23-yards, Radzik with 5 for 6-yards, Beverly with 2 for 6-yards, Markeis Cash with 1 for 4-yards, Gibbs with 5 for minus 1-yard, and Durvel Wilson with 1 carry for minus 3-yards.  Dorsey intercepted a pass and returned it 16-yards for the Bearcats.  The Bearcats are currently ranked number 27 for District 3 Class AAAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Wildcats of Dallastown (8-0 overall, 5-0 league) defeated the Colonials of New Oxford (1-7 overall, 0-5league) 43-13 in league action.  Cade Gold led the Wildcats rushing attack with 41-yards (including a 13-yard touchdown), followed by Zion DeVance with 36, Brett Smith with 21, Michael Sparks with 17, Dillon Callahan with 9, Edgar Centeno with 8, Jack Marks with 3 (including a 2-yard touchdown), Connor Green with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Yazir Dixon with no yards.  Quarterback Gold completed 18 of 24 passes for 29-yards and 3 touchdowns, 6 for 127-yards to Jawaun McMillian (including touchdowns of 31 and 10-yards), 5 for 68-yards to Jake Jansen, 1 for 47-yards and a touchdown to Anthony Garcia, 5 for 36-yards to Connor Moore, and 1 for 16-yards to Nathan Downey, for the Wildcats.  Garcia kicked 5 extra points for the Wildcats, and the Wildcats recorded a safety when a punter was tackled in the end zone.  The Wildcats are currently ranked number 7 for District 3 Class AAAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Ferrious Ashford led the Colonials rushing attack with 123-yards (including a 2-yard touchdown), followed by Brandon Scott with 25, Corban Czap with 23, Elijah Myers with 7 (including a 1-yard touchdown), Tanner Miller with 5-yards, Aaron Becker with no yards, Kyle West with minus 2-yards, and a team loss of 34-yards.  Quarterback Czap completed 3 of 8 passes for 92-yards and Miller completed 1 of 3 passes for 4-yards, for the Colonials.  Shane Rolle caught 2 passes for 72-yards and Trevon Brown caught 2 passes for 24-yards, for the Colonials.  Luiz Partida kicked1 extra point for the Colonials.  The Colonials are currently ranked number 35 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Bobcats of Northeastern (7-1 overall, 4-1 League) shut out the Rockets of Spring Grove (4-4 overall, 3-2 league) 30-0 in league action.  Chris Whack led the Bobcats rushing attack with 127-yards (including touchdowns of 20 and 43- yards), followed by Anu Johnson with 41, Shannon Valenti, Jr. with 36, Michael Cooper with 11, Fred Muhlbah with 5, Wyatt Hughes with 5, Kody Reeser with 4, Taemar Willis with 3-yards, Alex Seafort with minus 2-yards, and Blake Einsig with minus 18-yards.  Quarterback Valenti, Jr. completed 3 of 5 passes for 141-yards and 2 touchdowns to David Ankney (including touchdowns of 73 and 56-yards) and Einsig completed 1 of 2 passes for 28-yards to Johnson, for the Bobcats.  Cameron Artman kicked a 28-yard field goal and 3 extra points, Mulbah intercepted a pass, Reeser recovered a fumble and returned it 10-yards, Joshua Main recovered a fumble and returned it 3-yards, Adam Kipp and Tate Lau each recorded 1 sack, Michael Cooper defended 2 passes, and Gary Gobernik defended 1 pass, for the Bobcats.  The Bobcats are currently ranked number 3 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Nick Ericson led the Rockets rushing attack with 45-yards, followed by Theo Johnson with 9, Ryan Daugherty with 3-yards, AJ Fridinger with 1-yard, and Jake Messersmith with minus 8-yards.  Quarterback Messersmith completed 8 of 20 passes for 39-yards, 11 for 12-yards to Connor Reed, 2 for 11-yards to Nick Erickson, 1 for 5-yards to Daugherty, 1 for 5-yards to Brady Stein, 2 for 4-yards to LJ Chisolm, and 1 for 2-yards to Adam Warehime, for the Rockets.  Blake King intercepted 2 passes and Warehime intercepted 1 pass for the Rockets.  The Rockets are currently ranked number 14 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Lions of Red Lion (5-3 overall, 3-2 league) defeated the Panthers of Central York (2-6 overall, 1-4 league) 42-7 in league action.  Alex Keough led the Lions rushing attack with 93-yards (including a 9-yard touchdown), followed by Dalton Grove with 71 (including touchdowns of 6 and 1-yards), Rodney Scott with 38 (including a 1-yard touchdown), Sam Emig with 36 (including a 30-yard touchdown), Paul Jones with 7-yards, and Jamel Foster with minus 3-yards.  Quarterback Grove completed 8 of 12 passes for 73-yards, 1 for 20-yards to James Jackson, 2 for 19-yards to Cole Snyder, 1 for 14-yards to Kendrick Boyd-Gillespie, 2 for 12-yards to Dillon Hildebrand, and 2 for 8-yards to Brooks Argento, for the Lions.  Boyd-Gillespie returned an interception 35-yards for a touchdown and Emig kicked 6 extra points for the Lions.  The Lions are currently ranked number 13 for District 3 Class AAAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Noreaga Goff led the Panthers rushing attack with 32-yards, followed by Elzir Stroman with 20, Shyheim Goff with 15, Chris Collins with 9-yards, Sandy Paulino with no yards, Will VanDyke with minus 7-yards, and Nik Strine with minus 11-yards.  Quarterback Strine completed 3 of 9 passes for 43-yards, 1 for 21-yards to Shawn Johnston, 1 for 10-yards to Corbin Chevaux, and 1 for 12-yards to Brandon Falkenstein, and Cabe Pribula completed 2 of 4 passes for 46-yards, 1 for 20-yards and a touchdown to Eddie Santiago and 1 for 26-yards to Chris Collins, for the Panthers.  Carter Luckenbaugh kicked 1extra point, Lionel Edoukou recovered a fumble, Kollin Vaught caused a fumble, Rodney Johnson defended 2 passes, and Drew Anderson defended 1 pass, for the Panthers.  The Panthers are currently ranked number 21 for District 3 Class AAAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division II action:

The Trojans of York Suburban (6-2 overall, 4-0 league) defeated the Eagles of Dover (4-4 overall, 3-1 league) 55-27 in league action.  Thomas Merkle has completed 124 of 199 passes for 1,692-yards and 18-touchdowns for the season.  He has added to his school career passing yardage record, which now stands at 4,649-yards.  Merkle has 2 regular season games left to chase the YAIAA career passing yardage record of 4,894 set by Matt Marshall from Spring Grove in 2006.  Dajour Henderson led the Trojans rushing attack with 93-yards (including a 72-yard touchdown), followed by Teague Hoffman with 62, (including a 53-yard touchdown), Justice Gettle with 56 (including a 44-yard touchdown), Travis Edwards with 38 (including a 6-yard touchdown), Lucas Friend with 2-yards, Jake Taylor with no yards, and Pete Groncki with minus 1-yard.  Quarterback Thomas Merkle completed 9 of 13 passes for 208-yards and 3 touchdowns, and Ben Igo completed 2 of 4 passes for 8-yards for the Trojans.  Collin Mailman caught 4 passes for 161-yards (including touchdowns of 53, 24 and 44-yards), Brad Smith caught 2 passes for 32-yards, Dustin Knaub caught 1 pass for 11-yards, Mitch Franz caught 1 pass for 7-yards, Henderson caught 2 passes for 4-yards, and Gettle caught 1 pass for 1-yard, for the Trojans.  Knaub recovered a fumble and returned it 32-yards for a touchdown, Jonas Atkinson kicked 7 extra points, and Mailman intercepted a pass, for the Trojans.  The Trojans are currently ranked number 12 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Tad Pequignot led the Eagles rushing attack with 7-yards, followed by Duran Ledbetter with 13-yards, and Cole Jesmer with minus 8-yards.  Quarterback Peguignot completed 16 of 28 passes for 310-yards and 4 touchdowns, 5 for 132-yards to Ledbetter (including a 56-yard touchdown, 5 for 87-yards to Andrew Hoffman (including a 59-yard touchdown), 3 for 58-yards to Caden Snyder, 2 for 33-yards to Cole Jesmer (including touchdowns of 16 and 17-yards), and 1 for no yards to Kire Watkins, for the Eagles.  Josh Bradley kicked 3 extra points for the Eagles.  The Eagles are currently ranked number 21 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Rams of Kennard-Dale (3-5 overall, 2-3 league) defeated the Golden Knights of Eastern York (3-5 overall, 1-4 League) 18-14 in league action.  The Rams, with new co-head coaches Christopher Grube and Eric Updegrove, won the first game played in their new stadium with lights (allowing them to finally be able to host night games).  Chase Carlile led the Rams rushing attack with 186-yards (including touchdowns of 19 and 3-yards), followed by Nick Workinger with 52, Shawn Ellis with 15, Nicholas Fritz with 8, Daniel Brewer with 3, and Connor Stokes with 6-yards.  Quarterback Brewer completed 3 of 7 passes for 38-yards, 2 for 27-yards to Kyle Woolridge and 1 for 11-yards to Carlile, for the Rams.  Jacob Deppen returned a kickoff 85-yards for a touchdown, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, for the Rams.  The Rams are currently ranked number 30 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Logan Kline led the Golden Knights rushing attack with 110-yards (including a 1-yard touchdown), followed by Brennen Shenk with 29 (including an 18-yard touchdown), Keegan Corwell with 15, Jordan Weaver with 15, Ryan Kalke with 14, Sam Pollock with 12, Seth Bernstein with 5-yards, and Jimmy Kurnik with 1-yard.  Quarterback Kalke completed 4 of 10 passes for 50-yards, 2for 34-yards to Bernstein, 1 for 12-yards to Jayshim Snyder, and 1 for 4-yards to Anthony Brooks, for the Golden Knights.  Bobby Lecates kicked 2 extra points for the Golden Knights.  The Golden Knights are currently ranked number 32 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Bulldogs of West York (3-5 overall, 3-1 league) edged the Warriors of Susquehannock (3-5 overall, 2-2 League) 34-31 in league action.  Quarterback Tyler Folk ran for 2 touchdowns, for 1 and 1-yard, and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Terry Cains, Ryan Narber had an 8-yard touchdown run, Ay’Juan Marshall had a 2-yard rushing touchdown, and Evan Keim kicked 4 extra points, for the Bulldogs.  The Bulldogs are currently ranked number 2 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Quarterback Josh Stoneberg ran for 2 touchdowns, for 7 and 10-yards, and threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Nick Tannura, Jack Allred had a 7-yard touchdown run, and Adam Hedgeland kicked a 32-yard field goal and 4 extra points, for the Warriors.  No further information about this game was available.  The Bulldogs are currently ranked number 27 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.  The Warriors are currently ranked number 26 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Warriors of Gettysburg (1-7 overall, 0-4 league) were shut out by the Berks Inter-County Section 1 Scouts of Conrad Weiser (6-2 overall, 3-1 league) 47-0 in non-league action.  Koran Jordan led the Scouts rushing attack with 213-yards (including touchdowns of 4, 50, and 1-yards), followed by Christian Vega with 51 (including a 2-yard touchdown), Alec Morales with 25 (including an 8-yard touchdown), Kwis Montinard with 22 (including an 8-yard touchdown), Kyjuan Shivers with 13, Josh Taatjes with 3, Gabriel Vega with 3, Tom Maxwell with 2-yards, Kody Bosch with 1-yard, and Tyler Hoss with minus 10-yards.  Quarterback Hoss completed 5 of 8 passes for 90-yards and 1 touchdown, 61 for 33-yards to Zach Mowrer, 2 for 32-yards to Jon Diaz (including a 15-yard touchdown), 1 for 15-yards to Jordan, and 1 for 10-yards to Shivers, for the Scouts.  Jake Roth kicked 5 extra points, Austin Costenbader recovered a fumble and returned it 40-yards, Kris Gettle caused a fumble, Scott Sanin blocked an extra point, Bosch and Brett Broen each recorded 1 sack for a 6-yard loss, Jared Hauck defended 2 passes, and Jordan, Mowrer, Shaye Purnell and Ronmere Robinson each defended 1 pass, for the Scouts.  The Scouts are currently ranked number 10 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Oakley Marsh led the Warriors rushing attack with 56-yards, followed by Edney Celius with 24, Tyler Wilt with 15-yards, Wesley Gayle with 8, Bryce Newman with 2-yards, Elijah Jackson with no yards, Laion Shelton with no yards, and Kristian Stahl with minus 4-yards.  Quarterback Wilt completed 1 of 12 passes for 2-yards to Patrick Heidecker for the Warriors.  The Warriors are currently ranked number 36 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division III action:

The Nighthawks of Hanover (8-0 overall, 5-0 league) defeated the Spartans of York County Tech (2-6 overall, 1-4 league) 53-16 in league action.  Jordan Laughman led the Nighthawks rushing attack with 95-yards (including touchdowns of 2 and 3-yards), followed by Justin Barnes with 70 (including touchdowns of 3 and 21-yards), Deandre Kerr with 27, Colten Ehrhart with 2-yards, Sam Duvall with minus 3-yards, and Logan Brown with minus 4-yards.  Quarterback Kyle Krout completed 14 of 20 passes for 208-yards and 2 touchdowns, 2 for 95-yards to Luis Lara (including a 58-ysrd touchdown), 5 for 51-yards to Resean Williams, 4 for 31-yards to Bill Morris, 2 for 27-yards to Ehrhart (including a 15-yard touchdown), 1 for 4-yards to Nick Kime, and 1 for 4-yards to Nick Seymour, for the Nighthawks.  Williams returned a kickoff 85-yards for a touchdown, Krout threw a 2 point conversion pass to Seymour, a 2-point conversion pass to Hunter Martz, and a 2 point conversion pass to Ehrhart, Kerr ran in for a 2-point conversion, Laughman ran in for a 2-point conversion, and Everett Kenworthy kicked 1 extra point, for the Nighthawks.  The Nighthawks are currently ranked number 3 for District 3 Class AA playoff consideration.  Only the top 8 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Damarius Wiggins led the Spartans rushing attack with 116-yards, followed by Matthew Rossi with 49, Benjamin Jackson with 14-yards, and Maurice James with minus 13-yards.  Quarterback Wiggins completed 7 of 20 passes for 111-yards and 2 touchdowns, 2 for 87-yards to Jordan Ray (including touchdowns of 67 and 20-yards), 2 for 17-yards to Isaiah Colon, 2 for 7-yards to Rossi, and 1 for no yards to Jackson, for the Spartans.  Wiggins ran in for a 2-point conversion and threw a 2-point conversion pass to James, for the Spartans.  The Spartans are currently ranked number 26 for District 3 Class AAAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Canners of Biglerville (5-3 overall, 4-1 league) defeated the Thunderbolts of Littlestown (1-7 overall, 1-4 league) 41-20 in league action.  Dayne Showers led the Canners rushing attack with 117-yards (including a 5-yard touchdown), followed by Colton Sentz with 53 (including touchdowns of 8, 1, and 2-yards), Scott Cooper with 52 (including a 1-yard touchdown), Malakai Curtis with 35, Josh Brandt with 10, Seth Getz with 4 (including a 4-yard touchdown), and Gabe May with no yards.  Quarterback Ben Hurda completed 7 of 14 passes for 96-yards, 2 for 27-yards to Cooper, 2 for 25-yards to Showers, 1 for 24-yards to Nick Bell, 1 for 12-yards to Nate Newberry, and 1 for 8-yards to Gage McAuliffe, for the Canners.  Sentz kicked 5 extra points and McAuliffe intercepted a pass and returned it 50-yards for the Canners.  The Canners are currently ranked number 7 for District 3 Class AA playoff consideration.  Only the top 8 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Wesley Storey led the Thunderbolts rushing attack with 83-yards (including a 1-yard touchdown), followed by Cody Boyd with 39 (including a 1-yard touchdown), Drew Matthews with 35, Jose Ariza with 31 (including an 5-yard touchdown), and Austin Watters with 17-yards.  Quarterback Boyd completed 8 of 25 passes for 89-yards, 3 for 42-yards to Ben Snouffer, 1 for 18-yards to Brandon Pittinger, 2 for 17-yards to Colin McNeal, and 1 for 11-yards to Jackson Hornbrook, for the Thunderbolts.  Alex Potts kicked 2 extra points for the Thunderbolts.  The Thunderbolts are currently ranked number 14 for District 3 Class AA playoff consideration.  Only the top 8 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Eagles of Bermudian Springs, (4-4 overall, 4-1 league) edged the Fighting Irish of York Catholic (3-5 overall, 3-2 league) 20-17 in league action.  Ashton West led the Eagles rushing attack with 130-yards (including a 1-yard touchdown), followed by Addison Wheeler with 46, Ethan Frank with 28, Devon Hodgen with 21-yards, Tristan Hoke with minus 3-yards, and Chase Dull with minus 8-yards.  Quarterback Dull completed 1 of 2 passes for 4-yards to Hodgen before leaving the game with a season ending injury in the first quarter.  Quarterback Hoke completed 4 of 10 passes for 75-yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 for 29-yards and a touchdown to Trevor Grim, 2 for 24-yards to Quinton Nace (including a 14-yard touchdown), and 1 for 22-yards to Chase David, for the Eagles.  Noah Aeppli kicked 2 extra points for the Eagles.  The Eagles are currently ranked number 11 or District 3 Class AA playoff consideration.  Only the top 8 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Jakkar Kinard led the Fighting Irish rushing attack with 62-yards (including a 5-yard touchdown), followed by Daniel Yokemick with 31 (including a 14-yard touchdown, Brandon Creisher with 2-yards, and Luke Brennan with minus 9-yards.  Quarterback Yokemick completed 10 of 13 passes for 115-yards, 3 for 36-yards to Joe Bauhoff, 1 for 36-yards to Riley Brennan, 5 for 35-yards to Luke Brennan, and 1 for 8-yards to Creisher, for the Fighting Irish.  Luke Brennan kicked a 25-yad field goal and 2 extra points, and Brandon Creisher stripped the ball from an Eagles player and returned it for 30-yards for the Fighting Irish.  The Fighting Irish are currently number 3 for District 3 Class A playoff consideration.  Only the top 4 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Squires of Delone Catholic (3-5 overall, 2-3 league) defeated the Knights of Fairfield (1-7 overall, 0-5 league) 51-28 in league action.  Zach Hart led the Squires rushing attack with 185-yards (including a 66-yard touchdown), followed by Tavian Dorsey with 155 (including 4 touchdowns, for 1, 34, 5, and 58-yards), Logan Panzer with 72 (including an 11-yard touchdown), Ryan Hart with 39, Alec Maitland with 18-yards, Brian Shermeyer with minus 15-yards, and a team loss of 2-yards.  Quarterback Shermeyer completed 3 of 8 passes for 30-yards, 1 for 15-yards to Dylan Hartlaub, 1 for 8-yards to Larry Lefler III, and 1 for 7-yards to Cody Pfaff, for the Squires.  Brandon Hall kicked a 25-yard field goal and 6 extra points, and Brad Repasky intercepted a pass, for the Squires.  The Squires are currently ranked number 5 for District 3 Class A playoff consideration.  Only the top 4 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Darian Mort led the Knights rushing attack with 28-yards (including touchdowns of 13 and 1-yards), followed by Tyler Karstetter with 25, Matt Petrie with 16, and Charlie Burnett with 7-yards (including a 1-yard touchdown).  Quarterback Mort completed 15 of 35 passes for 303-yards and 1 touchdown, 7 for 151-yards to Aaron Moore (including a 30-yard touchdown), 3 for 89-yards to Burnett, 3 for 33-yards to Karstetter, and 2 for 40-yards to Matt Petrie, and Petrie completed 1 pass for minus 1-yard to Mort, for the Knights.  Mort threw a 2-point conversion pass to Moore and a 2-point conversion pass to Petrie for the Knights.  The Knights are currently ranked number 9 for District 3 Class A playoff consideration.  Only the top 4 teams qualify for the playoffs.

Mid-Penn Conference action

The Mid-Penn Colonial Division’s Polar Bears of Northern York (7-1 overall, 5-0 league) defeated the Blue Devils of Green Castle-Antrim (6-2 overall, 2-2 league) 38-14 in league action.  Bobby Shelly led the Polar Bears rushing attack with 137-yards, followed by Curtis Robison with 118-yards, and Michael Kearney wit 31-yards (including a 5-yard touchdown).  Quarterback Robison completed 6 of 11 passes for 158-yards and 4 touchdowns, 2 for 120-yards to Andrew Swaisgood (including touchdowns of 21 and 99-yards), 3 for 34-yards to Joey Razzano (including a 30-yard touchdown, and 1 for 4-yards and a touchdown to Jake Cromer, for the Polar Bears.  Aidan Alves kicked a 35-yard field goal and 5 extra points, Owen Blaschak recovered 2 fumbles and returned one of them for 20-yards, and recorded a sack for an 8-yard loss, Robison intercepted a pass, Noah Smith caused a fumble, Gunnar Renninger recorded 1.5 sacks, for 16-yards of loss, Cale Walker recorded a half sack for an 8-yard loss, and Ray Avila defended a pass, for the Polar Bears.  The Polar Bears are currently ranked number 4 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Demetrius Burton led the Blue Devils rushing attack with 39-yards, followed by James Hines with 26, Derek Measell with 8, Bailey Parker with 3-yards, Kyrin Zimmerman with 1-yard, and Spencer Meyers with minus 5-yards.  Quarterback Meyers completed 12 of 19 passes for 132-yards and 1 touchdown, 2 for 61-yards to Tyler Jeffreys, 4 for 33-yards to Burton, 2 for 15-yards to Zimmerman, 1 for 15-yards to Christian Gleichman, 2 for 6-yards to Measell, and 1 for 2-yards and a touchdown to Brae Peck, for the Blue Devils.  Zimmerman returned a kickoff 92-yards for a touchdown and Austin Smith kicked 2 extra points for the Blue Devils.  The Blue Devils are currently ranked number 13 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Mid-Penn Keystone Division’s Patriots of Red Land (3-5 overall, 1-3 league) defeated the Wildcats of Mechanicsburg (0-8 overall, 0-4 league) 48-16 in league action.  Justin Johnson led the Patriots rushing attack with 105-yards (including touchdowns of 11 and 13-yards), followed by Hunter Briner with 53, Jordan Weldon with 49 (including a 1-yard touchdown), Kyle Campbell with 12-yards, Derek Cline with a 2-yard touchdown run, Jake Radic with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Nathan Stahl with 1-yard.  Quarterback Radic completed 7 of 13 passes for 76-yards and 1 touchdown, 2 for 35-yards to Campbell, 1 for 13-yards to Johnson, 1 for 13-yards to Noah Parson, 1 for 10-yards to Joe Crocenzi, and 2 for 5-yards to Briner (including a 5-yard touchdown), and Briner completed 1 pass for 15-yards to Zi Reevey, for the Patriots.  Chad Stout kicked 2 field goals (for 40 and 34-yards) and 6 extra points for the Patriots.  The Patriots are currently ranked number 22 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.  Zak Huth led the Wildcats rushing attack with 78-yards (including a 30-yard touchdown), followed by Elijah Strawbridge with 28, Rhashan Scales with 8, Chris Torres with 3-yards, and Brendan Wewer with minus 4-yards.  Quarterback Dylan Smith completed 5 of 7 passes for 73-yards and 1 touchdown, 1 for 45-yards to Rhashad Scales, 1 for 13-yards to Michael Beatty, 1 for 10-yards to Jaryn Ruth, 1 for 5-yards to Torres, and 1 for no yards to Michael Humes, and Wewer completed 2 of 5 passes for minus 3-yards to Rhashan Scales, for the Wildcats.  Ruth threw a 2-point conversion pass to Cain Fullerton and Smith threw a 2-point conversion pass to James Shyrock for the Wildcats.  The Wildcats are currently ranked number 38 for District 3 Class AAA playoff consideration.  Only the top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2015-9

By Bill Engelhardt

     ________

Last Friday evening, October 23, the Mustangs of South Western visited the den of the Bearcats of William Penn (York High) and galloped and passed to a convincing 46-0 victory.  Senior quarterback Brock Geiman threw four touchdown passes and 14 runners galloped up and down the field for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs opened the game with a seven play 68-yard drive that ended with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Geiman to Jeff Green.  The extra point was missed and the Mustangs led 6-0 at the 10:27 mark of the first quarter.

The Bearcats went three and out and punted.  Miles Francis returned the punt 17-yards, setting the Mustangs up on the Bearcats 48-yard line.  Four plays later Geiman threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Green.  Wes Sneeringer’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 13-0 at the 7:16 mark of the first quarter.

Markeis Cash returned the kickoff 25-yards for the Bearcats but they went three and out and punted.  The Mustangs’ possession was short lived when Khalid Dorsey intercepted a pass and returned it 16-yards to the Mustangs 25-yard line.  Two penalties pushed the Bearcats back to the 46-yard line and they ended up turning the ball over on downs at the Mustangs 32-yard line.

The Mustangs drove 68-yards in ten plays, featuring a 17-yard run by Zack Hughes.  Geiman threw a beautiful 18-yard touchdown pass to Matt Smolko.  The extra point was missed and the Mustangs led 19-0 with 19 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Bearcats went three and out and punted again.  The Mustangs then drove 56-yards in 13 plays, featuring a 21-yard pass from Geiman to Zack Hughes, a 19-yard run by Geiman, and ending with Geiman’s 2-yard touchdown plunge.  Sneeringer’s extra point kick upped the score to 26-0 with 4:01 left in the second quarter.

On the next play from scrimmage, Carson Perry intercepted a Bearcats pass and returned it 37-yards for a Mustangs touchdown.  The extra point was missed and the Mustangs led 32-0 with 3:40 left in the second quarter.

Dorsey returned the kickoff 27-yards for the Bearcats but this drive was thwarted when Corbin Byers recorded three consecutive sacks for losses of 9, 10, and 6-yards.

The Bearcats opened the second half with a 30-yard kickoff return by Cash.  Two plays later Mike Farace recovered a fumble for the Mustangs.  Four plays later Geiman threw a 17-yard touchdown strike to Noah Staub.  Sneeringer’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 39-0 at the 9:41 mark of the third quarter.

The Mustangs substituted liberally for the rest of the game.

The Bearcats next drive included a 37-yard pass from Angel DeJesus to Nykam Beverly but ended when Noah Langenfeld intercepted a pass and returned it 13-yards for the Mustangs.  The Mustangs then drove 68-yards in twelve plays, featuring an 11-yard run by DeLunche Shaw.  Shaw ended the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.  Sneeringer’s extra point kick made the final score 46-0 in favor of the Mustangs, with 10:04 left in the game.

Wes Sneeringer kicked off 8 times for 389-yards, for an average of 48.6-yards, with the longest going for 53-yards.  Miles Francis returned 4 punts for 25-yards, with the longest going for 17-yards, for the Mustangs.

Matt Smolko, with 7 tackles, led the Mustang defense, followed by Kaiden Gaylord with 6 tackles, Evan Raubenstine with 5 tackles and 1 pass defended, Corbin Byers with 4 tackles, 3 sacks for losses of 9, 10, and 6-yards, and 5 pass hurries, Skylar Bowman with 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass hurry, and 1 pass defended, Josh Zeroth with 4 tackles and 1 pass defended, Carson Perry with 3 tackles, an interception returned 37-yards for a touchdown, and 1 pass defended, Mike Farace with 3 tackles and a fumble recovery, Nate VanCampen, Quan Marshall, and Adrian White with 3 tackles each, Thaddeus Davis with 2 tackles and 1 pass hurry, Mike Johnson, Kurt Eichhorn, Jacob Muir, and Cole Stremmel, with 2 tackles each, Noah Langenfeld with 1 tackle and an interception returned for 13-yards, Justin Eline, Chris Ginevra, Chris Steckel, and Logan Toms with 1 tackle each, and Noah Staub with 1 pass defended.

Skylar Bowman, Corbin Byers, Bubba Carbaugh, Scotty Dickmyer, Mike Farace, Zach Hughes, Quan Marshall, Carson Perry, Evan Raubenstine, Austin Reusing, Matt Smolko, Chris Steckel, Logan Toms, and Josh Zeroth manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions.

Miles Francis, Brock Geiman, Jeff Green, Noah Langenfeld, Noah Staub, and Nate VanCampen patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs gained 209-yards rushing and 143-yards passing for a total of 352-yards of offense. Senior quarterback Brock Geiman completed 9 of 15 passes for the 143-yards and 4 touchdowns, 2 for 52-yards to Jeff Green (including touchdowns of 24 and 28-yards), 2 for 28-yards to Noah Staub (including a 17-yard touchdown), 2 for 28-yards to Zack Hughes, 1 for 18-yards and a touchdown to Matt Smolko, 1 for 9-yards to Corbin Byers, and 1 for 8-yards to Mike Johnson, for the Mustangs.  Geiman has completed 69 of 138 passes for 1,103-yards and 14 touchdowns for the season.  Hughes led the Mustangs rushing attack with 4 carries for 39-yards, followed by Johnson with 4 for 26-yards, Geiman with 3 for 26-yards (including a 2-yard touchdown), Thaddeus Davis with 4 for 24-yards, Miles Francis with 4 for 23-yards, Delunche Shaw with 4 for 17 (including a 6-yard touchdown), Grayson Wingert with 4 for 17, Green with 2 for 13, Robby Harbison with 2 for 13, Wyatt Laudicina with 1 for 7-yards, Nigel Williams with 6 for 6-yards, Kyle Davis with 1 for 5-yards, Josh Higdon with 2 for minus 2-yards, Jacob Muir with 2 for minus 4-yards, and a team loss of 1-yard.  Carson Perry intercepted a pass and returned it 37-yards for a touchdown, Wes Sneeringer kicked 4 extra points, Noah Langenfeld intercepted a pass and returned it 13-yards, Mike Farace recovered a fumble, and Byers recorded 3 sacks, for losses of 9, 10, and 6-yards, and recorded 5 pass hurries, for the Mustangs.

The Bearcats gained 67-yards rushing and 73 yards passing for a total of 140 yards gained.  Quarterback Angel DeJesus completed 4 of 6 passes for 63-yards and quarterback Andrew Gibbs completed 3 of 9 passes for 10-yards, for the Bearcats.  Nykam Beverly caught 1 pass for 37-yards, Justin Colston caught 1 pass for 14-yards, Andrew Radzik caught 1 pass for 9-yards, Nyshaun Ritter caught 1 pass for 8-yards, Eric Mann caught 1 pass for 4-yards, and DeJesus caught 2 passes for 1-yard, for the Bearcats.  Khalid Dorsey led the Bearcats rushing attack with 5 carries for 32-yards, followed by DeJesus with 4 for 23-yards, Radzik with 5 for 6-yards, Beverly with 2 for 6-yards, Markeis Cash with 1 for 4-yards, Gibbs with 5 for minus 1-yard, and Durvel Wilson with 1 carry for minus 3-yards.  Dorsey intercepted a pass and returned it 16-yards for the Bearcats.

The 10-time Cavalcade of Bands, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring half time performance, presenting their 2015 field show “What If,” a musical and visual depiction of the process of implementing a change and making a difference.  The music is based on Michael Kamen’s “The New Moon in the Old Moon’s Arms.”  The show began with the inception of the idea or change, represented with the theme played by trumpet soloist Veronica Hurst.  Further numbers reflected the encountering of obstacles and challenges standing in the way of goals and a moment of reflection on the purpose and nature of change.  The closer continued to build upon the hope of this change and reached a climax where the change was successful.  The show ended with the fleeting sounds of the musical theme played by trumpet soloist John Dyson.

The William Penn Bearcats Marching Band gave a crowd-pleasing post game performance.

The 24 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Bearcats 14 member squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

The Mustangs of South Western are 6-2-0 overall and 4-1-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 352-216-8.  The results of the 576 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .620 winning percentage and a .625 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs will host the Bobcats of Northeastern (7-1 overall, 4-1 league).  Northeastern is coming off of a 30-0 shut out victory over the Rockets of Spring Grove.  The Mustangs are looking to remain on the winning track.  GO MUSTANGS GO.

THIS WEEK IN FLHS GRIDIRON HISTORY - Game 8 Yrs Ending In 5

By Dick Engelhardt

Fair Lawn High School opened September 13th, 1943. This record covers years ending in 5. 

1945 – Frank Bennett’s CUTTERS tied the BUCCANEERS of Bogota 13-13 on their way to the Bergen-Passaic Interscholastic League (B-PIL) title in his first season and Fair Lawn’s first season in the league after playing an independent schedule 1943-44 under Coach Marty Fischbein. Fair Lawn and Bogota shared the 1946 B-PIL title and our CUTTERS took the 1945-55 rivalry with the BUCCANEERS 6-3-2 (.667).

1955 – Bennett’s CUTTERS beat those same BUCCANEERS of Bogota 14-6 on their way to another B-PIL title in the last season before the league became the Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) in 1956.

1965 – Frank Devens’ CUTTERS beat the SPARTANS of Paramus 13-6 on their way to a Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) title and an undefeated season with one tie. During 1962-83 in NNJIL action, the SPARTANS went 12-10 (.545) over our CUTTERS. It was a great rivalry that ended when Fair Lawn returned to the NBIL in 1984. It resumed in 2010-11 in Big North Conference (BNC) crossover action where the SPARTANS went 2-0 (1.000) and lead the series 14-10 (.583). 

1975 – Rich Szura’s CUTTERS edged the BEARS of Bergenfield 19-12 in NNJIL action. Fair Lawn took the 1945-48 and 1962-2008 rivalry 35-16 (.686) and the 1994-2008 Turkey Day rivalry 11-4 (.733). The teams squared off 1945-48 in the B-PIL, 1962-83 in the NNJIL and 1984-2008 in the NBIL. State realignment has ended the 51 season rivalry, which remains the longest in either school’s history.  

1985 – Pete Natale’s CUTTERS beat the RAMS of Ramsey 19-13 on their way to an NBIL Division 1 title. Fair Lawn took the 1945-58, 1984-99 and 2002-06 rivalry against the RAMS by an astounding 28 games to 7 (.800) in B-PIL and NBIL action!

1995 – Mike Alberque’s CUTTERS beat the COWBOYS of Pascack Hills 45-8 in NBIL crossover action. During 1984-86 and 1994-98 our CUTTERS went 6-2 (.750) over the COWBOYS. In NBIL interdivisional action.

2005 – Greg Tanzer’s CUTTERS were beaten 25-7 by the INDIANS of Pascack Valley in NBIL action. Pascack Valley took the 1955-56, 1984-85 and 1988-2008 B-PIL and NBIL rivalry 14-10-1 (.583). The INDIANS’ coach, Craig Nielsen, was offensive coordinator at Fair Lawn under Pete Natale 1980-85. 

THE GRIDIRON 9 - 2015

 

By Dick Engelhardt 

Last weekend the CUTTERS of Fair Lawn High drew a Bye. The story behind that is interesting. The Big North Conference (BNC) placed the “Big 5” parochial schools in its United Division but schedules games with public schools for them. No public school wants to play these teams that essentially run college or semi-pro like programs and several had reached the point of threatening to forfeit games. The parochial schools often find another foe and let the public school off the hook. The trouble with this is that the public school either can’t find another opponent and has no game as happened to Fair Lawn in 2013 when Don Bosco let us off the hook, or has to go far in its search for a game, as happened to Fair Lawn in 2014 when Paramus Catholic let Fair Lawn off the hook and our CUTTERS traveled to New Canaan, Connecticut for a game against the STORM of St. Luke’s High.

Fair Lawn was scheduled to play Paramus Catholic again last week at SASSO FIELD but the PALADINS were able to schedule the ASCENDERS of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida where they lost 28-20. In order to get a game, Fair Lawn had to schedule the RAMS of Dickinson High of Jersey City at CAVEN POINT Friday night of the Labor Day Weekend. This resulted in Fair Lawn having only three scheduled home games this year and playing on the “Zero” weekend when most teams would rather not play. Next year the merger of the BNC and several other leagues will result in a new “Super Conference,” as yet unnamed, and an end to scheduling these parochial behemoths against area public schools. It’s about time!

The GHOSTS of Paterson Eastside also had a Bye. In the only game involving Fair Lawn’s BNC Liberty Division, the BULLDOGS of Passaic County Technical Institute beat the FIGHTING MUSTANGS of Clifton High 19-7 taking the title for the 6^th straight time since the league was founded in 2010. 

This Friday at 7:00 our CUTTERS will travel to BOVERINI STADIUM in Passaic’ to take on the INDIANS for 9th time. The 2 most thrilling games in FLHS history were played against the INDIANS. Pete Natale’s 1980 Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) tri-champion, with Clifton and the HORNETS of Passaic Valley, CUTTERS trailed the INDIANS 7-0, 12-0, 12-7 and 18-7 and roared back to win 27-18 in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group IV Playoffs at GIANTS STADIUM. In 2009, Stan Myles’ CUTTERS led Passaic 32-6 at halftime in the Playoffs at SASSO FIELD. The INDIANS roared back and our CUTTERS hung on for a 39-38 win. On 4^th down, with 5 seconds on the clock and Passaic out of timeouts, QB Travis Kubasta took the snap and ran 21 yards backwards taking a knee as the clock expired. Whew! During 1980, 1985 and 2009 in playoff action and 2010-14 in BNC action, Fair Lawn has gone 5-3 (.625) against Passaic. Fair Lawn is 1-6 (.143) and has been outscored 216-80 for an average 31-13 loss. Passaic won its first game last week beating winless Northern Valley/Demarest 46-38. The INDIANS are 1-5 (.167) and have been outscored 243-72 for an average loss 41-12 loss. With former Fair Lawn assistant coach Doug Lemberg on their staff, the INDIANS use the fabled “Single Wing” formation last used at Fair Lawn by legendary coach Frank Bennett 1945-60. I think our CUTTERS can win this one. From here it looks like Fair Lawn 21 – Passaic 13. GO CUTTERS GO!!