David Shann

As the sun went down in Brodheadsville, so did both teams’ offense. Both teams came into Friday night’s game with a record of 2-0. The Cavaliers have dominated the Monroe County Conference in recent years going 15-0 in that span. Last year’s contest between both teams ended in a Cavaliers win 36-14. So to say this year’s game would be any different, I would have disagreed with you. 

Pleasant Valley was up to the task this year though. Their defense put constant pressure on East Stroudsburg all game long, keeping the Cavaliers’ offense in check in the first half. With 2:07 left in the first half, the Bears got the ball at East Stroudsburg’s 42. Pleasant Valley was able to move the ball and pick up a first down. They got the ball down to the Cavalier 27. 

But with :50 left to go in the half, Pleasant Valley elected not to use one of their two remaining timeouts. Instead, they let the clock run down to :03. They attempted a 39-yard field goal. The field goal was no good and both teams were deadlocked at the half, 0-0.

To start the third quarter, ESS got the ball and moved it down to the Pleasant Valley three-yard line. This was where the PV defense came up big, stuffing the Cavaliers running back on fourth and goal from the three-yard line. There was no score through three quarters.

The Cavaliers struck first with 11:22 to go in the fourth. East Stroudsburg’s quarterback, Colby Mitchell hit their wide receiver Shane Bulay on a five-yard screen pass for the game’s first score. East Stroudsburg went for a two-point conversion. This proved to be vital because the Bears’ defense was up to the task yet again, stuffing the play before the goal line. 

On Pleasant Valley’s next possession, they drove the ball right down the field. On the quarterback keeper, Valentino Byers-Robinson went in from 13 yards out. PV took the lead for good with the extra point. 

Pleasant Valley (3-0) travels to play Dieruff and East Stroudsburg South (2-1) is on the road against Pocono Mountain East. 

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YATESVILLE – Right from the opening kickoff, things were going Berwick’s way. Tahsjee Taylor recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff and the bulldogs were in business. Quarterback Blake Maurer converted that turnover into points when he scored from one-yard out on a fourth and goal from the one. Less than a minute later, Taylor found pay dirt as he scooped up a fumble and ran it back 31 yards for the touchdown. Things were looking great for Berwick early on. But Pittston would make things interesting, scoring on their next two drives and tying the score at 14. The Bulldogs added a late field goal before the half to take the lead at the half 17-14.

Berwick took control of the game in the second half when they took their opening drive ten plays for 64 yards and capped off by a Mason Laubach 13yard touchdown. After a quick three and out by Pittston, the Bulldogs got the ball back and put together an 11-play drive that would end with a Devon Smith touchdown from 12 yards out.

Berwick (1-1) had the triple option running to perfection last night, especially in the second half as they wore out the Patriots by running the ball. Berwick ended the night with 309 yards of total offense and 289 of those yards coming by the way of the running game. Berwick heads to Williamsport next Friday night as this should be a good test for them. As for Pittston (0-1), they head over to Wyoming Valley West and play the Spartans.

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Lehman Township – The Black Knights had a dominating first half on both sides of football. They put together three scoring drives and could have had another if it were not for a fumble deep in Berwick territory. They held the Bulldogs to 21 first half yards and no first downs. Lake Lehman led at the half 15-0.

Lake Lehman was led by their quarterback Ethan Adams who connected on 12 of 18 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns and running back Ryan Eiden who had 150 yards of total offense (6 rec for 106 yards and rushing for another 48) .

Berwick did make a game of it scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter cutting the Lehman lead to one score. But with 2:17 left to go in the game, Eiden scampered in from 19 yards out to seal the deal for the Black Knights. Although Berwick would put together one last touchdown, their ensuing onside kick failed as it went out of bounds.