Things did not start the way #2 seeded Towanda wanted them to in the first half of the D4 AA Quarter-Final matchup vs Danville. Towanda QB Trey Sites seemed to have jitters in his playoff debut throwing balls high and low to receivers. The Black Knights had trouble catching passes, making blocks, and protecting Trey as well. The Ironmen were capitalizing on these mistakes in their way to a 13-0 lead at the half.
The game started slow as both teams exchanged punts. Danville would then make the first threat driving into Towanda territory. The drive would stall and a 46 yard field goal would come well short. Towanda’s next drive would be a 3 and out. The Ironmen began a drive at their 40 and quarterback Andrew Andreychik began to connect with his receivers. An 18 yard completion to Zack Kozick, followed by a 24 yard completion to David Vitunac set them up with 1st and 10 at the Towanda 19. Two short runs left them with 3rd and 3 at the 12 where Andreychik took a shotgun snap and weaved his way through the defense for a 12 yard score. Friday’s extra point was good, and at 3:13, Danville led 7-0.
Mason Roof took the ensuing kick off to the 47. But a 2nd down pass attempt by Sites was intercepted at the Danville 26. From there, the Ironmen would need only 4 plays to cover 74 yards. A 21 yard completion from Andreychik to Brett Berg followed by a short run set them up with 1st and 10 at the Towanda 38. From there, Andreychik found Berg again, this time down the left side line for the 38 yard strike. The extra point was blocked and the lead was now 13-0. Towanda’s best drive came just before half as they drove from their 43 to the Danville 9. But 2 straight sacks followed by an off sides penalty left them with 4th and 34 from the 35, where a 52 yard field goal attempt by Zach Ripic was short to end the half at 13-0 Danville.
This was a game of two halves. Towanda came out firing on all cylinders and took the second half 35-7. Danville’s lone TD came on a well designed hook-and-lateral. Trey Sites began to show off his arm on TD passes to Casey Huff (2) and Mason Roof of 22, 34, and 45 yards. All was well for Towanda as Mason Roof would break off a 52 yard jaunt to ice the game. The Knights defense also stiffened stopping the Ironman on their own 15 yard line with 4 straight incompletions to end the game.
Roof led all rushers on the night with 98 yards on 13 carries and one score while also catching a TD pass.. Sites was 10 for 22 passing for 159 yards and 3 touchdowns. Casey Huff caught 5 passes for 105 yards and two scores.
The Black Knights will advance to the second round of the District IV AA playoffs next Friday when they host Bloomsburg, a 48-21 winner over Mifflinburg. Danville finishes the season at 7-4. Next weeks game with Bloomsburg will mark the 4th Heartland Conference foe Towanda has faced this season.
