Berwick's Orlando Boots Johnstown

You couldn't blame Berwick's Bo Orlando if he soaked his foot all day tomorrow. All the kicker/QB did was successfully kick 5 field goals and toss one TD pass while breaking free from several tackles to do so. This after throwing an ill-advised pass in the flat mean for Tony Deweese. Cornerback Gene Buchan timed it perfectly and dashed in front of  Deweese for the INT and raced 40 yards with nary a Bulldog hand laying upon him. That play and George Azar's PAT gave Johnstown a quick 7-0 lead. The Trojans' defense held Berwick off for most of the 1st period, allowing just a 40-yard FG by Orlando after the Dawg "O" sputtered.
 

In the second period Johnstown expanded their lead to 10-3 on a 24-yard Azar field goal. Little did the 20,000 fans at Beaver Stadium on the beautiful Penn State Campus fall afternoon realize that that would be it for the mighty Trojans. It was just under two minutes to go in the half when Orlando was called upon to hit a chippy FG from just 18 yards out- slight angle left. Orlando kicked a quail shot that just made it over the crossbar to keep the game tight at the half- Johnstown 10; Berwick 6.

The third period found Johnstown receiving but it was three-and-out for the Flood City gang.  Berwick then mounted what was to be the best and only offensive score/drive of the day. Mike DeAlberto carried 6 times in the drive good for 42 of his game-high 91 yards rushing. His 19-yard scamper gave Berwick the ball inside the Trojan 10. Two rushing attempts put the ball on the Johnstown 3. On 3rd and goal, Orlando threw a strike to A.J. Thomas on a crossing pattern, and Berwick took the lead for the first time, 12-10. Cagey Curry went for two and DeAlberto followed the left side of his line (Kevin Comstock and Ron Miller) for the 2-point PAT. 14-10.

The Dawgs were never headed after that as the defense sparked by a Jack Husak 24-yard sack of scrambling Tom Runyon and Buchan's second pick shut down the powerful and quick running game of the great Johnstown team.

Longtime fervent Johnstown fan Doug Keklak was interviewed by Kellie Goodman of WTAJ following the game.  Keklak reflected, "We knew this would be a tough game. I picked the Trojans to go all the way, but sometimes things just don't go your way. I think we had two warrior-like teams out there today. I think sportsmanship was truly exemplified today when George Azar met Bo Orlando in the center of the field , shook his hand and wished the Dawgs the best. Then the two embraced. Man, that was pure class."

 

Berwick head coach George Curry reacts to the Bo Orlando pass interception for the Johnstown score.

Reporter Frank Kastreva was alike a deer in headlights as he watched his Berwick team shut down mighty Johnstown.