Pirates sail over the Panthers 32-27

by David Mika of EasternPAFootball.com

KINTNERSVILLE - Saucon Valley and Palisades are two of the three teams playing for a playoff spot in the District 1/11 Class 2A sub-regional tournament. The other team fighting for a berth is Wilson Area. The stage was set for a classic Colonial League game Friday night. Palisades did not let the hometown fans down and came from behind to beat Saucon Valley 32-27. With the win the school set a new record with eight wins. With the win Palisades will earned a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

After a turnover by Palisades on a fumble, Saucon Valley took advantage of the turnover when quarterback Mike Berlin hit Pat McMillan for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Ben Fowler’s kick was good and with 8:11 to go in the first quarter Saucon Valley drew first blood 7-0. Saucon Valley was not done in the quarter when Sean Spengler took the handoff and darted eight yards for the score. The extra point was good and the Panthers were quickly out in front 14-0.

Palisades would answer right back on a 47-yard touchdown run by running back Bryan Hahn. Mark Paetzell’s extra point was good and with 1:49 to go in the first quarter Palisades cut the Panthers lead in half 14-7.

Hahn was not done in the half and he ripped off a 35-yard touchdown run with 1:53 to go in the half. The extra point was good and the teams were tied up at 14.

The wild first half would get very interesting with under a minute to go in the first half. Saucon Valley capped off a six play drive when Berlin hit McMillan for a 42-yard touchdown pass with 26.8 seconds remaining in the half. Saucon Valley took the lead back 21-14. Palisades would answer right back. The play was setup be a good kickoff return to midfield. Shawn Manwaring hit Bradley Patterson who was streaking down the sidelines for a 49-yard touchdown pass with 2.4 seconds to go in the half. The extra point was not good. After momentum was switching back in forth in the first half the Panthers went into halftime with a one point lead 21-20.

Palisades would get momentum right back on the first play of the third quarter when Bill Saxton darted through the line and rumbled untouched for a 77-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion failed. Palisades would take their first lead of the night 26-21 at the 11:38 mark.

Saucon Valley would answer late in the quarter when Berlin hit Spengler for a 14-yard touchdown pass for the score. The two-point conversion failed. Saucon Valley regained the lead 27-26.

Saucon Valley turned over the ball on a fumble recovery by Saxton of Palisades. Palisades would take over on the 23 yard line. The Pirates would drive down the field and Hahn capped off the night by scoring his third touchdown of the night by going in for a two-yard touchdown run giving Palisades the lead for good with 7:34 remaining in the game. Hahn led the team with 168 yards rushing last night.

The Pirates iced the game on a interception by Leon Kukura with 1:10 remaining in the game. Mawaring knelt down and preserved the hard fought 32-27 victory over Saucon Valley.