PEN ARGYL – Pen Argyl’s defense set the tone early when Mike Racciato put a big hit on Bangor’s wide receiver Ryan Hester. The defense forced five turnovers as Pen Argyl defeated Bangor Area 17-7 Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
After both teams started off slow, Pen Argyl took their second possession and drove down the field. Quarterback Nathan Hood connected on two big pass plays to Joe Wagner to setup the field goal attempt.
Wagner kicked a 22-yard field goal to give the Green Knights a 3-0 lead with 4:08 remaining in the first quarter.
Bangor answered right back. It would only take four plays for Josh Wing to score from 38-yards out. Bangor led 7-3.
The Green Knights countered with a right punch. It only took one play. Hood handed off to Dylan Evans who gave it back to Hood for the flea flicker. Hood found a wide-open Wagner who broke free from two defenders for the 65-yard bomb.
With 1:52 remaining in a wild first quarter Pen Argyl led 10-7. Evans ended Bangor next drive when he picked off a Drew Nicholas pass.
The first quarter would end with Pen Argyl leading 10-7. The Green Knights were on the move again. They were inside the 10-yard line when Hood fumbled the ball. Bangor’s defensive lineman Robert Naylor recovered it.
There would be no scoring in the second quarter. Both teams came up with key stops as Pen Argyl went into halftime leading 10-7.
In the second half the Green Knights defense bent but didn’t break. They forced turnovers and came up with the big plays.
After a scoreless third quarter the Green Knights were on the move again after a Josh Wing fumble.
The Green Knights ate up the clock on their 16-play drive that was capped by a two-yard score by Evans.
With 6:58 remaining they led 17-7.
Bangor drove down the field and looked like they would cut the lead to three on a touchdown run by Wing. But a penalty wiped out the play.
Evans would come up with his second interception in the end zone to end Bangor’s drive.
Bangor got one more crack in the end. Nicholas threw another interception. Racciato cut in front of wide receiver Ben Ammermann for the interception to seal the win.
With the win Pen Argyl (9-1) will host undefeated North Schuylkill next week in the District 11 Class 2-A playoff game.
