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Central Penn Piranha vs |
55 |
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South Central Yard Dawgs |
0 |
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Game Played 9/20/2009 4:00PM
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Piranha Rebound Against Yard Dawgs
Fresh off of a near-loss (10-7) at home against the playoff-bound Chambersburg Cardinals (6-4), the Central Penn Piranha (9-0) rebounded nicely with a dominating 55-0 victory over the cross-town rival South Central Yard Dawgs (4-4). Even though the Sunday afternoon game was played on the home field of the Yard Dawgs, it was a home game for the Piranha.
The Piranha got off to a fast start, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions of the game. The first score was a 36-yard touchdown pass from Mark Jarmon to Darren Echols (3-75 yards, 2 TD). The second score was a 31-yard interception return by free safety Jermaine Thaxton. The first quarter "scoring frenzy" was completed with a 12-yard touchdown run by Emne'ko Sweeney (9-89 yards, TD).
The second quarter was scoreless, and the Piranha took a commanding 21-0 lead into halftime.
Quarterback Jeremy Ricker (4-6, 47 yards, 2 TD / 1 INT) came off the bench in the second half to lead the Central Penn offense. Ricker kept the Piranha on track, starting the second half by capping a 63-yard scoring drive an 18-yard touchdown pass to Echols. This was the beginning of four straight Piranha possessions that they would score a touchdown.
Ali Johnson (9-125 yards, TD) scored on a 10-yard run to make the score 35-0 mid-way through the quarter. With 3 seconds left in the third quarter, Ricker scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. A botched snap forced a 2-point pass attempt, which was incomplete, making the score 41-0 heading into the final stanza.
Turnovers would set-up the final two scores of the game. Roosevelt Turner (3-38 yards, TD) capped a 34-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown run. At the 8:51 mark of the fourth quarter, Ricker hooked-up with rookie wide receiver Don Muldrew on a 7-yard touchdown pass (1 play drive). It was Muldrew's first career touchdown with the Piranha.
After a lack-luster performance last week against the Chambersburg Cardinals (129 rushing, 24 passing), the Piranha offense rebounded against the Yard Dawgs (275 rushing, 83 passing). Johnson (125) and Sweeney (89) combined for 214 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. All-Star return specialist Darren Echols notched 178 combined yards (93 kick return, 75 receiving, 10 rushing), and scored 2 touchdowns (36, 18).
Defensively, it was a total team effort. Piranha team leaders included defensive tackle Brian Sanks (4 tackles, 2.5 sacks), defensive tackle Bo Thomas (3 tackles, 3 sacks), defensive tackle Chris Stanley (2 tackles, 2 sacks), linebacker DJ Patterson (3 tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries), defensive end Dexter Gardner (3 tackles, 1 sack), and free safety Jermaine Thaxton (2 INT-60 yards, TD). The Piranha defense combined to record 13 sacks and force 6 turnovers.
The Central Penn Piranha will conclude their regular season against the Northwest Giants. This game will be played in Philadelphia on Saturday September 26th, with a kickoff time of 8:00 PM. The Giants are the defending 2008 Champions of the Big Northeast Football Federation.
Game Stats
First Downs - CPP 15, SCYD 7
Rushing Yards - 275, SCYD 4
Passing Yards - CPP 83, SCYD 28
Total Yards - CPP 358, SCYD 32
Turnovers - CPP 2, SCYD 6
Penalties - CPP 12-105, SCYD 2-10
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Central Penn Piranha: 55 - South Central Yard Dawgs: 0