Swanton Bulldogs Football: Program News: News and Announcements 10-21-09
News and Announcements 10-21-09
Delta reclaims Iron Kettle
By RANDY ROBERTS
Expositor Sports Writer
SWANTON - The touchdown by the Delta Panthers to end the first half was just a precursor of the events to follow in the second half when the Panthers limited the Swanton Bulldogs to 76 total yards in reclaiming the Iron Kettle with a 35-14 win.
While they tied the game on the last play of the half, it was a quick-strike offense that took over in the second half for Delta. It took just four plays for Delta to march 61 yards, with the last 36 coming from Josh Beverly, who took a pitch to the right and raced down his sideline to score.
Swanton moved to the Panther 22 on their first possession of the second half, only to lose the ball on downs. It would take one play, plus a penalty, to get the Panthers inside the Swanton 10, where Beverly would break a run off to the left side and score, doubling up Swanton at 28-14.
The Bulldogs would lose the ball on downs two more times in the fourth quarter, and Delta made Swanton pay one more time when Beverly scored his third touchdown of the half from 29 yards out.
Tom Leahey scored two quick touchdowns in the first quarter to put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. Leahey, Mimmo Lytle, Travis Hilton and James Nagan all had carries on an opening drive that took 13 plays to go 80 yards. Leahey went for 21 yards, including the final nine, while Lytle ran for six, Hilton for 16 and Nagan for 11 in a drive that took almost seven minutes to start the game.
Leahey did all the work for the second touchdown, beginning with a punt return to the Panther 35. Add on a personal foul call, and the Bulldogs started at the 20, where Leahey ran in on the first play and a 14-0 lead with three minutes left in the opening quarter.
Delta got a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter. Paul Nieberdingcaught a pass in front of his bench, sidestepped a tackle and raced 37 yards to wrap up an 81 yard drive for the Panthers. Their second came on the final play of the half as quarterback Drew Salsbury kept the ball himself and fell into the end zone as time expired, ending the half.
Beverly picked up 162 yards rushing while Salsbury was 5 of 8 passing for 106 yards. Leahey ran for 54 of Swanton's 108 yards.
Delta (2-6, 2-4) will visit Liberty Center on Friday. Swanton (1-7, 1-6) will travel to Bryan.
* Swanton Football team Wins big with kids' minicamps *
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