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It was a tale of big plays tonight at Taggart Stadium as the Canes came out on the short end against the Bethel Park Blackhawks. The Hawks controlled the first half on the scoreboard but mostly on the strength of a couple big plays. A missed tackle resulted in a Hawk 35 yard run to the New Castle seven to set up one score, a bite on a fake left a receiver 15 yards open for a 71 yard touchdown pass and a fumbled snap that resulted in a first down play for Bethel Park.
The Canes were unable to stop the Blackhawks cold on any drives in the first half but regrouped at the intermission and limited Bethel Park to just 17 yards rushing and 39 passing and just one big play in the second half. But that was enough as with the scored tied and facing a fourth and 11 at the Cane 30 the Hawk QB lofted a perfect pass to the end zone over the Cane defender for the go ahead and winning touchdown.
The Canes drove to the 17 before fumbling with just 11 seconds remaining to seal their fate and a 25-19 loss.
Bethel Park received the opening kickoff and drove 50 yards before punting to the Canes. New Castle ran just five plays before punting back to the Blackhawks.
Starting at their own 44 Bethel Park hit a 10 yard pass to start the drive. A four yard run set up a second and six a the New Castle 42. New Castle hit the Hawk running back in the backfield but he broke loose and ran for 35 yards to the Hurricane seven. Two plays later Bethel Park scored at the 3:12 mark. The PAT made it 7-0 Blackhawks.
The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds so the Canes started at their own 35. Twelve running plays later, the longest a 14 yarder by Lemmon, the Hurricanes scored on one yard plunge by Lemmon. Pasquale Romano’s PAT was good and the score was tied at seven with 9:44 to play in the second period.
Romano’s kickoff was returned 24 yards to the Hawk 29. On first down a Bethel Park receiver ran an out route and faked the Cane into thinking the ball was coming. He then broke long and was wide open for a 71 yard touchdown. The PAT was blocked and the Canes trailed by 6 just 21 seconds after tying it.
The Canes went three and out on their next possession giving ball back to the Blackhawks.
A seven play drive by Bethel Park again got them to the Cane 40 before they were forced to punt. A good kick that went out of bounds at the 10 made the Hurricanes start deep.
New Castle gained only four yards on their next possession before punting back to Bethel Park.
Bethel Park started this drive at the New Castle 40. On second and 10 the Hawk QB fumbled the snap and everything seemed to just stop. He quickly dumped the ball to a back and he scrambled 15 yards for a first down. On the next play the Canes were flagged for a face mask penalty moving the ball to the 12. Three plays later the Blackhawks were on the board again. They went for two and failed but led 19-7 with just 46 seconds to play in the half.
The Red Hurricanes received the opening kickoff of the second half beginning their possesion at the 20. For the third possession in a row the Canes ran only three plays before punting.
A 22 yard punt return put the Hawks in business at the Hurricane 45. This time the New Castle defense stood tall stopping Bethel Park after three plays forcing a punt. Another great punt by the Blackhawks forced the Canes to start at the four yard line.
New Castle got the ball out to the 23 before punting again.
A 17 yard punt gave the ball to Bethel Park at the New Castle 40. Again the Hurricane defense held forcing a punt after just three plays.
Starting at the their 20 the Red and Black engineered a 15 play drive that included nine passes and two plays on which Lemmon was going to pass but pulled it down and ran. Rosati ran the final six yard to the end zone making the score 19-13. A bad hold resulted in the Romano PAT being blocked.
Bethel Park ran the kickoff back to the New Castle 42 yard line but managed just 11 yards from there before turning it over to the Canes on downs with only 8:22 left in the game.
On the first play from scrimmage Lemmon dropped back to pass but again pulled the ball down and took off. This time he didn’t stop until he reached the end zone 69 yards later. Along the way he received a big block from Andy Fry. The Hurricanes missed an opportunity to take the lead as the PAT was off to the right. The score was tied at 19.
Romano’s kick was received at the two yard line then muffed into the end zone so Bethel Park began at their 20. After two plays the Hawks faced a third and three. The QB dropped back to pass then took off and ran 20 yards before being hit and fumbling. The Canes recovered at the Bethel Park 45.
After just two plays Lemmon was hit while passing and the ball was intercepted at the Cane 32.
Bethel Park moved to the Cane 25 before Tom Whitten and Lemmon stopped the runner for a five yard loss setting up a fourth and 11 from the 30. That’s when disaster struck again. This time a perfectly thrown pass for a touchdown over Cane defensive back Joe Carter. The PAT was missed but the Canes now trailed 25-19 at the 2:26 mark.
Again the Bethel Park kickoff went out of bounds and the Hurricanes started at the 35. A sack and two incompletions gave the Canes a fourth and 15. Lemmon pitched the ball the Fry who threw it Rosati for a 22 yard gain. Lemmon then hit Alan Billyk for a 21 yard gain to the Bethel Park 27 with 1:00 left to play. Lemmon ran two yards on first down then Rosati was stopped for no gain leaving a third and eight. Lemmon then spiked the ball with just 23 seconds remaining. On fourth down Lemmon hit Billyk for 10 yards before the ball was stripped and Bethel Park recovered ending the Canes hopes for a remarkable comeback.
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