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 Central Penn Piranha: 16 - Chambersburg Cardinals: 7 |
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Central Penn Piranha vs |
16 |
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Chambersburg Cardinals |
7 |
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Game Played 10/10/2009 7:00PM
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Defense Leads Piranha Past Cardinals
Two words summed up this game: As Advertised. The "Back Yard Brawl" lived up to its title, as the Central Penn Piranha (11-0) and the Chambersburg Cardinals (7-5) continued their division rivalry into the NAFL postseason.
The end result was a hard-fought 16-7 victory for the Piranha, in a game that saw both teams combine for 9 turnovers (Piranha 5, Cardinals 4). "The turnover issue has to be addressed. However, we (Piranha) really haven't had an issue with it all season until now. I give Chambersburg a lot of credit for forcing the turnovers. They're a really good football team, and if it weren't for a couple of close losses, they should have been playing us during the upcoming round of the playoffs instead of the last round," states Piranha Owner / Head Coach Ron Kerr.
Chambersburg began the game with a text book 64-yard scoring drive that consumed 9:53 off the game clock. It was capped with a 20-yard run by fullback Dan Lewis. The Tim Miller extra point gave the Cardinals an early 7-0 lead. The key play on the drive was a fourth and inches converted on their own side of the field.
Despite trailing for the first time all season, the Piranha showed poise. "We didn't panic. The true character of the Piranha players showed on our first possession," comments Kerr.
The Piranha responded with almost an identical scoring drive of their own. Central Penn's version covered 67 yards, consumed 7:19, and was capped by a 20-yard touchdown strike from Mark Jarmon to Darren Echols. Just like that, the "Back Yard Brawl" was tied at 7 points.
On the ensuing Cardinals' possession, the tide would turn for good in favor of the Piranha. A couple plays into the Chambersburg drive, cornerback Tyree McCants (2 INT-35 yards) intercepted an errant pass by quarterback Joshua Finafrock, and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. Andar Rehm's extra point attempt was blocked by Joshua Willis, making the score 13-7.
The Piranha tacked on 3 more points midway through the second quarter on a 34-yard field goal by Rehm, making the score 16-7 at halftime.
The entire second half was scoreless, as both teams' defensive units turned up the heat. In the midst of all that there were 4 Piranha turnovers and 1 Cardinals' turnover. The Piranha defense imposed their will more the Cardinals, which was the difference in the game. The Chambersburg offense was unable to penetrate the "Red Zone," failed to convert a single third down attempt (0-9), were sacked 3 times, and finished with only 85 yards of offense.
Leading the way for the Piranha "D" were defensive tackle Bo Thomas (4 tackles, 2 sacks), linebackers Donnell Donaldson (8 tackles) and Darren Oswald (5 tackles, 1 INT-11 yards), and strong safety Jermaine Thaxton (5 tackles, 1 pass defended).
Piranha running back Emne'ko Sweeney (11-60 yards) paced an effective ground attack that gained 178 yards (5.1 average). Veteran quarterback Mark Jarmon finished with a passer rating of 143.8.
Next up for the Piranha is a very familiar playoff foe, the South Jersey Lynx (11-1). The Piranha will host the Lynx on Saturday October 17th at Memorial Park in Mechanicsburg, PA. Kickoff for this Eastern Conference Semifinal (Sweet 16) is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
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