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 Central Penn Piranha: 10 - Chambersburg Cardinals: 7 |
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Central Penn Piranha vs |
10 |
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Chambersburg Cardinals |
7 |
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Game Played 9/12/2009 7:00PM
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Piranha Survive Cardinals
The 11th edition of the "Back Yard Brawl" lived up to its name. On a rain-soaked field (two straight days of rain right up until kickoff), the Central Penn Piranha (8-0) and Chambersburg Cardinals (4-4) played a hard-fought game that was dominated by the defensive units. The Piranha were able to survive with a 10-7 victory, keeping their slim hopes alive of landing the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the playoffs.
It was a slow track for both teams, as neither offense recorded a significant amount of total yards (Piranha 153, Cardinals 135). In fact, neither team recorded an offensive touchdown during the game.
The Piranha got the scoring started midway through the opening quarter. NAFL All-Star return specialist Darren Echols fielded a punt at the 24-yard line of Central Penn. Echols went up the left sideline, then he cut it back all the way across the field, racing by Cardinal defenders 76 yards for a touchdown. It looked as if the rout was on. Little did the piranha know that it would be their only touchdown of the game.
NAFL All-Star kicker Andar Rehm nailed a 28-yard field goal early in the second quarter to give Central Penn a 10-0 lead that would hold into halftime.
On the opening drive of the second half, Chambersburg finally got a break. The aforementioned Echols fumbled a hand-off in the back field. After making numerous attempts to pick it up, Echols was swarmed by Cardinals' defenders. One player knocked him away from the ball, and another one picked it up. Cornerback Brandon Conway recovered the football and ran 35 yards untouched for a touchdown. With 10:59 left in the third quarter, it was now either team's game.
The Piranha responded on the ensuing kickoff when Echols returned it 47 yards to the Chambersburg 39 yard line. The Cardinal defense held, forcing a fourth down and 4 yards to go play at the 22-yard line. The Piranha opted to go for it, rather than attempting a 39-yard field goal. Quarterback Mark Jarmon fumbled the snap, and Chambersburg recovered.
Having all the momentum, the Cardinals drove down to the 30-yard line of the Piranha before the drive stalled. Chambersburg trotted their long distance kicker (linebacker Jaron Nalewak) onto the field. Nalewak's kick was blocked by defensive tackle Bo Thomas. With 13:02 remaining in the Primerica Bowl, tension was mounting.
However, the Piranha couldn't do anything positive on offense. Their next two possessions resulted in an interception and a punt. Chambersburg responded with a punt, and then the game came down to one final drive.
The Cardinals couldn't have asked for a better scenario. Trailing the Piranha 10-7 with 2:06 left in the game, with a drive staring on their own 30-yard line. They needed to gain about 45 yards to attempt a reasonable field goal (42 yards). Penalties and a sack would be their downfall. A third down and 16 yards to go turned into a fourth down and 26 yards to go for a first down. The Piranha defense turned up the heat on the last couple of plays to save the game, and potentially the season.
The Piranha ran out the clock to end the game. This was the second time in the series history that the Piranha and Cardinals had a 3-point game, both of them taking place on the home field of the Piranha (8/19/06, 17-14, Harrisburg City Island).
Both defensive units combined to force 7 turnovers (Piranha 2, Cardinals 5), and record 4 sacks (Piranha 3, Cardinals 1).
The Piranha conclude their regular season at home, on the ROAD. The Piranha will be hosting their cross-town rival, the South Central Yard Dawgs (4-3), at Susquehanna Township H.S. in Harrisburg, and not at East Pennsboro H.S. in Enola. The Yard Dawgs have gracefully allowed the Piranha to host them on their home field.
This week's game will be on Sunday afternoon, taking place on September 20th. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.
Game Notes:
* 10 points scored by Piranha - Tied for fewest in a single-game (11/1/97 vs. Baltimore Bears)
* 17 combined points scored - Fewest ever in a Piranha game
* Zero offensive touchdowns scored by the Piranha - Second time in team history
* WR Darren Echols 172 combined yards (139 kick return, 33 rushing), TD (76)
* DT Brian Smith 4 tackles, 3.5 sacks, fumble recovery
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