Saucon Valley’s Nick Warnke celebrates with Anthony Orlemann.
The Saucon Valley football team improved to a 4-1 record in a nail-biter classic. The Panthers never trailed, but needed all hands on deck to escape Northern Lehigh with the victory.
Saucon got on the scoreboard first on their opening possession by manufacturing an eleven-play drive that included two fourth-down conversions. The scoring drive ended with Dante Mahaffey finding space around left end for a two-yard touchdown run. Freshman kicker Alex Magnotta made good on the PAT and with 5:58 remaining in the opening quarter the Panthers led the ‘Dawgs 7-0.
Panther quarterback Dante Mahaffey looks to throw a strike down field to Ty Csencsits.
Both teams traded punts putting Northern Lehigh with possession at midfield. But, after running a reverse for a twenty yard gain, Saucon Valley sophomore Anthony Orlemann was able to intercept a Northern Lehigh pass attempt in the end zone. The Panther offense trotted back onto the field and only three plays later Dante Mahaffey went play-action pass to a wide open Ty Csencsits for a 70-yard touchdown. Magnotta hit the extra-point making the score 14-0 with 7:57 left until halftime.
Freshman Alex Magnotta connects on another extra-point try.
The Bulldogs got themselves good field position on the following kickoff, but after two plays they, once again, tested Anthony Orlemann with a pass. And, for the second time Orlemann came up big for the Panthers. The sophomore earned his second interception of the night as he defended a deep, wheel-route by the Bulldogs.
Sophomore defensive back Anthony Orlemann
Thanks to Orlemann’s pick, Saucon regained possession at their own 13-yardline. Then, faced with a 3rd & 3 the Panthers seemed to pick up a first down when Damian Garcia took a toss sweep around the right end for a ten yard gain. However, the referee ruled a questionable holding penalty that backed the Panthers up into a 3rd & long situation. Saucon could not convert and was forced to punt to the Bulldogs who were able to return the ball back to the Panther 35-yardline. Northern Lehigh took advantage of the situation and, after six straight running plays, pounded the ball into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run. The PAT was good and the Bulldogs took a 14-7 deficit into the locker room as the Northern Lehigh community celebrated their halftime homecoming festivities.
The rejuvenated Bulldogs took the field in the the second half and methodically marched to the Panther 6-yardline. However, Northern Lehigh got sloppy with the ball and ended up turning it over on downs back to the Panthers. Saucon took possession at their own 12-yardline and found themselves with a 4th & 1 from their own 21-yardline. The Panthers went for it, but the Bulldog defense had other ideas. Northern Lehigh stuffed Saucon Valley’s attempt to pick up the first down and five plays later took advantage of a short field to knot the score at 14-14.
The Bulldogs may have slowed the potent Panther rushing attack, but sophomore Damian Garcia (#30) still ran for over 100 yards.
With the game on the line, the Panthers roared back with a seven play, 65-yard drive. Following five Damian Garcia runs and and a pass completion to Ty Csencsits the Panthers made it 21-14 with 11:13 left in the game. Garcia popped the left side of the Bulldog defense with a 12-yard touchdown run.
On the next series, the Panther defense forced a fumble and recovered it at the Bulldog 30-yardline, but could not cash in. Mahaffey’s pass intended for Alex Magnotta just missed as the ball sailed high and out of the end zone just out of Magnotta’s reach.
The Saucon Valley defense including Nick Warnke (#77), Evan Deily (#65) and Dale Sorensen (#85) stepped up to close out the game for an exciting Panther victory.
The Bulldogs retook possession at their own 10-yardline and forged a 12-play drive all the way down to the Panther 19-yardline. Facing a 4th & 3 with a little over a minute remaining, the Bulldogs tried to pound fullback, Matt Frame up the gut to keep the drive alive. Evan Deily and Nick Warnke from their defensive end positions converged and collisioned Frame to stop him dead-cold for no gain. The Panther offense took the field and went went “victory formation”. Saucon took a knee as the game clock expired. The Panthers held on to beat the Bulldogs 21-14.
The Panthers and Bulldogs shake it up after a hard-fought battle.
Panther Flash Stats:
- Sophomore Damian Garcia ran 21 times for 146 yards and a TD against the Bulldogs.
- Garcia has 772 yards rushing and 6 TD’s in five games.
- Garcia and fullback, Chris Mann are each averaging 10-yards per carry.
- Sophomore receiver Ty Csencsits had 3 catches for 93 yards and a TD against the Bulldogs.
- Sophomore quarterback Dante Mahaffey has 3 TD passes and no interceptions on the season.
- Sophomore cornerback Anthony Orlemann has two of the Panthers four interceptions.
- Freshman Tyler Pfizenmayer leads the Panthers with 42 tackles so far.
- Freshman Alex Magnotta is a perfect 8 for 8 with his PAT’s.
Up Next: Homecoming! Saucon Valley (4-1) will host the Bangor Slaters (2-3) for their Homecoming game on Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
(Photos courtesy of Lisa Pfizenmayer)
