Pennsbury Outlasts Berwick

Pennsbury scored in every period, but it came down to  perhaps a recovered onside kick attempt to ice the win and send a high-flying Falcon team to the first-ever Pennsylvania Football News / Hal Wilson Challenge Finals.

Berwick trailed the whole game as John Giordano opened the scoring with a solid 42-yard field goal into the wind at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, PA. The teams traded punts before a  Mike Curley punt pinned Berwick down at their own four-yard line. After Mike DeAlberto was stopped for no gain on the first down, he took a Bo Orlando pitch and tried to go wide right, but the swarming Falcon defense strung it out and linebacker Ron Dundala dropped him for a safety (the first in the Wilson Challenge) and gave the Falcons a 5-0 first quarter edge.

The Falcons continued their stiff defense into the second period.  Mike McGrath was a terror from his defensive end position garnering three solos and two assists in the second period  alone. Meanwhile under the direction of Gary Kutsmeda, Pennsbury put together a slick 63-yard drive, culminating with a Kutsmeda 28-yard pass for the score to Terry Hoffman. Number 83 faked an out pattern and broke free. Kutsmeda hit him in stride and the Falcons held 12-0 and completely shut down the Dawg ground game. Only a Bo Orlando 35-yard FG gave the Dawgs a spark of hope as the half ended 12-3.

In the third, Berwick came out fired up. Coach George Curry snarled as he prowled the sidelines in his bright orange hunters' coat. Talented Orlando picked up the offense by going more to the passing game. He completed 4 of 5 passes on Berwick scoring drive, completing a one yard bullet over the middle to A.J. Thomas. Orlando's PAT made it 12-10, and it was anybody's ballgame.

Pennsbury Coach Chuck Kane had a bit of fire left in him, too, as he challenged his Falcons to step up against arguably the best Berwick team ever.
Workhorse Dale Delise followed an inspired offensive line (Gary Metronka, Gary Pasek, Mike Page, Pat Soriero, and Jim Kettles) to gain huge chunks of yardage on Pennsbury's 3rd possession of period three. On second and one, Coach Kane called for a fake to Delise and a pass play. Kutsmeda worked it to perfection and connected with halfback Bill Porter in the left flat. Porter slipped one tackle and danced the remaining 23 yards for the TD. Pennsbury was up 19-10, but no one was leaving his seat. After three, it was still 19-10 Pennsbury. But Berwick behind the arm of Orlando was dangerous, and Coach Kane knew it.

The Falcons felt a little more comfortable after Giordano connected on two more field goals, giving them a 15-point cushion, 25-10. But Berwick wasn't done. Superman Bo Orlando took the team on his shoulders and with 3 minutes remaining found wideout Tony Deweese for a 92-yard bomb. Deweese needed all 6-2 of his muscular frame in going up and grabbing the Orlando missile. Orlando's PAT made it 25-17.

Everyone in the standing-room-only stadium knew what was coming.. the old onsides kick. Coach Kane had his 'good hands' people ready. Coach Curry had his Bulldogs believing they could score, get the two and win in overtime. The crowd stood in concert as Orlando teed the ball... There was not a sound, sans the whirl of a stray overhead helicopter. Orlando raised his right hand.. the official blew his whistle and gave the go ahead with the dramatic thrust of his right arm. An ill-fated November gust of wind dislodged the ball as Orlando started his measured steps forward. The crowd's collective sign gave measure to an already electric atmosphere. This, they all knew would be the game. ... Would determine who went to the coveted finals of this historic event. Orlando set the ball again. This time on its side. The crowd continued to stand... Orlando altered his steps as he had done so many time in practice.. His foot bounced the ball once... twice.. and it skipped the required ten yards bouncing off the shoulder pads of one of the Falcons... John Asma, was literally Johnny-on-the-spot and covered the ball, taking thunderous hits from a desperate Bulldog onrush but holding on. Pennsbury had derailed the mighty Dawgs.

"I'm just glad we got that bounce," Chuck Kane remarked, a tight, relieved smile crossing his face. "They are one heck of a team. And that Orlando. I've never seen a better player in all my years. But credit our defense. We had just a few breakdowns.. just enough to keep their old coach nervous."

Coach George Curry was disappointed but as always went right to the heart of the matter. "We just waited too long to get our offense going. They have a very active defense and shut down our running game. Bo did one heck-of-a job keeping us in it. They are one solid team.. no weakness. I give them all the credit in the world. We'll go back to Berwick and start getting ready for next year."