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Lions run out of time in loss to Wilmington

SLIPPERY ROCK — Chestnut Ridge spent most of Saturday afternoon in pursuit of Wilmington.

In the end, the Greyhounds proved to be too elusive, though, as they held on for a wild 40-33 triumph over the Lions in a PIAA Class 2A battle at Slippery Rock University’s Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

Chestnut Ridge (10-3) battled back from a 20-7 deficit to tie the game late. But, Wilmington (11-1) scored the winning touchdown with 20 seconds left. The Lions had a final chance to score, but a pass was batted down in the end zone as time expired.

“We said from the very beginning that we wanted to battle and show our resiliency and determination. I couldn’t be more proud of their effort and how we never quit and kept coming back,” Chestnut Ridge coach Max Shoemaker said. “The kids made a reference (Friday night) about being honey badgers. Today, I think we played like honey badgers.”

Falling behind early cost the Lions, though. Wilmington scored on its first two possessions for a 12-0 lead.

“I think we were a little intimidated right from the get-go. We were caught sitting on our heels,” Shoemaker said. “They are a really good team. We were trying to stop their running attack and we didn’t stop it all day. We found ways to make opportunities here and there. We kept it close and got the big score to tie it up. But, it wasn’t meant to be in the end.”

One of those Chestnut Ridge opportunities came late in the first quarter. Pinned deep in their own territory, the Lions were forced to punt. The snap sailed over punter Derrick Weaver and rolled into the end zone. He was able to gather the ball and get a punt away. Wilmington was called for roughing the kicker, though, which gave Chestnut Ridge a first down. The Lions took advantage of it and scored on Logan Pfister’s 43-yard quarterback keeper to trim the deficit to 12-7 with 1:21 on the clock.

“I tip my cap to Chestnut Ridge for what they were able to do on offense today,” Wilmington coach Brandon Phillian said. “Football is all about momentum. When you’re in the playoffs and you give a team a freebie like that, it certainly hurts. That’ll be a good learning experience for our players. That allowed them to get back into the game.”

After Wilmington went ahead, 20-7, Chestnut Ridge took advantage of another opportunity. The Lions forced a fumble and Trey Maxwell recovered it at the Wilmington 46. Again, Pfister cashed in as he raced 35 yards for a score to trim the deficit to 20-13 with 1:08 left in the first half.

The second half turned into an offensive shootout — the Greyhounds cruising on the ground and the Lions finding success through the air.

Pfister connected for three touchdown passes to keep Chestnut Ridge in the game. He hit a wide-open Weaver for a 26-yard strike and found Jacob Mowry for an 80-yard score. After the Greyhounds returned an interception for a score late in the game, Pfister connected with Jared McGill for a screen pass that resulted in a 76-yard touchdown. Pfister ran in the conversion to tie the game at 33-all with 4:25 to go.

Wilmington drove for the winning score on its next possession. Robert Pontius floated a 10-yard scoring strike to Junion McConahy with 20 seconds to go.

The Lions had a final chance. After Pfister’s 24-yard scramble and a pass interference penalty, Chestnut Ridge had the ball on Wilmington’s 25 with two seconds left. However, Pfister’s pass was swatted down in the end zone to preserve the Greyhounds’ win.

Pfister, a sophomore Pitt wrestling recruit, finished with 118 yards on 14 carries. He threw for 292 yards as well.

Wilmington’s Cameron Marett racked up 291 yards on the ground on 39 carries.

The loss marked the final game for the Lions’ 13 seniors.

“They have been a pleasure to work with in the four years I have had them. They will be sorely missed,” Shoemaker said. “They are some tough kids. You can do a lot of things with tough kids.”

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Chestnut Ridge 7 6 6 14 — 33

Wilmington 12 8 7 13 — 40

First Quarter

W–Marett 4 run (kick failed), 9:29.

W–Pontius, 3 run (pass failed), 5:48.

C–Pfister 43 run (Anderson kick), 1:21.

Second Quarter

W–Pontius 3 run (Marett run), 8:21.

C–Pfister 35 run (kick blocked), 1:08.

Third Quarter

W–Marett 3 run (Winters kick), 5:50.

C–Weaver 26 pass from Pfister (pass failed), 2:29.

Fourth Quarter

C–Mowry 80 pass from Pfister (pass failed), 5:52.

W–Ramirez 15 interception return (kick failed), 4:50.

C–Magill 76 pass from Pfister (Pfister run), 4:25.

W–McConahy 1 pass from Pontius (Winters kick), :20.

TEAM STATISTICS CR W

First downs 17 30

Total yards 454 497

Rushes-yards 23-162 63-434

Yards passing 292 63

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 19-29-1 3-9-1

Punts-avg. 2-20 0-0

Fumbles-lost 2-0 1-1

Penalties-yards 1-5 7-65

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Chestnut Ridge, Pfister 14-118, McGill 7-39, Mowry 1-3,Holderbaum 1-2. Wilmington, Marett 39-291, Susen 11-70, Hunt 6-46, Pontius 6-19, Guth 1-8.

PASSING–Chestnut Ridge, Pfister 19-29-1-292. Wilmington, Robert Pontius 3-9-1 63.

RECEIVING–Chestnut Ridge, Mowry 6-113, McGill 1-74, Weaver, 4-67, Crocker 2-16, McVicker 4-11, Bowser 1-6, Wyshong 1-5. Wilmington, McConahy 2-54, Marett 1-9.

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