PHILADELPHIA – Junior quarterback Pat Irwin threw three touchdown passes after spotting the Father Judge Crusaders a 14 point cushion in leading the State College Little Lions to a come from behind 33-23 victory in a cross district non conference game yesterday at Lincoln High stadium. The game was marked by several momentum swings and big plays.
Judge got on the board on their first two possessions when Max Pascavitch hauled in a Ryan Mackiewicz pass for a 43 yard touchdown followed by Samir Bullock’s 27 yard touchdown which gave them a two score lead with seven minutes left in the first quarter.
The Lions settled down in the second quarter and Irwin threw a strike to Greg Keller streaking down the left sideline for a 42 yard score pulling them to within a touchdown. On the Lions next possession Irwin went back to the same pass but to a different receiver (Dan Fry) and a much longer distance (70 yards) which then pulled State to within 14-13 going into intermission.
The momentum shifted the Crusaders way briefly when Brandon Spatz picked off an Irwin screen pass and raced 58 yards for a touchdown. However Irwin was granted a reprieve on their next series, generating an eight play drive culminating with his third touchdown pass, this one to Jake Knouse for 12 yards, pulling them to within 21-19.
The Lions Lon Koudela made a huge play on the next series recovering a Bullock fumble on the Crusader 18 and four plays later Chris Theis scored from seven yards giving them a lead that they would not relinquish.
State College (District 6) now moves to 3-0 and traveled the three and a half hour trip home to get ready for their AAAA, Mid Penn, Commonwealth Conference opener with Harrisburg next week. Judge (District 12) is now 1-2 with a by next week before beginning their AAAA, PCL play.
Notes: State College ran 38 plays to Judge’s 17 in the second half. Ryan Goeke ran for 73 yards, most in the second half. Irwin’s cadence caused Judge to commit seven encroachment penalties.
Scoring by Quarter
1st Quarter
FJ- Max Pascavitch- 43 yard pass from Ryan Mackiewicz- PAT- Connor Foley-9:40
FJ- Samir Bullock- 27 yard run- PAT- Foley- 7:03
2nd Quarter
SC- Greg Kellar- 42 yard pass from Pat Irwin- PAT- Ian Fennessey- 9:38
SC- Dan Fry- 70 yard pass from Irwin- PAT- No Good- 5:06
3rd Quarter
FJ- Brandon Spatz- 58 yard interception return- PAT- Foley- 8:48
SC- Jake Knouse- 12 yard pass from Irwin- 2 Pt Conversion- No Good- 4:10
SC- Chris Theis- 7 yard run- 2 Pt Con- Theis pass from Irwin- 1:55
4th Quarter
SC-Ryan Goeke- 6 yard run- 2 pt Con- No good- 10:43
FJ-safety- Eric Zimmerer – SC punter back out of end zone-
Some stats from TedSilary.com
