SLATINGTON – When two undefeated teams meet this late in the season it is usually a very tight battle. District Three Champ and defending State 4A Champion Bishop McDevitt came into its 4A semifinal matchup with Dallas from District Two Friday night as a solid favorite. Each team squeaked by opponents last week to survive and advance in the 4A bracket.
This 4A semifinal game turned into a hard-fought, see-saw affair from the start. In the end, the Dallas special teams proved to be the deciding factor in the game. The Mountaineers’ Rowan Laubach kicked a 26-yard field goal in Double Overtime to defeat Bishop McDevitt 26-23 and send Dallas to the 4A title game in Cumberland Valley. The loss ended a 26-game winning streak by Bishop McDevitt.
Special teams play was the deciding factor in the Dallas victory. The Mounts blocked a punt and turned it into a touchdown. They recovered two onside kicks and one led to a go-ahead TD. They blocked an extra point and a field goal in the second overtime. Rowan Laubach kicked two field goals including the game-winner. They held the vaunted Crusader kick and punt return game in check in the contest. Not a bad night’s work.
https://twitter.com/EPAFootball/status/1730785447469617211
McDevitt’s initial TD drive was the only point in a defense-dominated first quarter. It was 7-0 McDevitt after one.
@McD_Football_ first possession a ground attack down the field finished off by Nazir Jones-Davis. 7-0 over @DallasMountsFB 3:44 quarter 1 @PIAASports 4A semifinal @HSFBamerica @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports pic.twitter.com/oLdvD3BUA0
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 2, 2023
Halfway through quarter two, Dallas broke through. A blocked McDevitt punt was turned into a TD. An onside kick ensued and was recovered by the Mounts. As we closed out the half, Nick Farrell’s TD for Dallas put the Mounts up 13-7 at the break over the Crusaders.
Oh my! @DallasMountsFB block a @McD_Football_ punt and it’s a scoop and score! Tied at 7 @DallasMountsFB then recover the on sides kick ! The @DallasMountsFB Nick Farrell a circus grab from QB Brady Zapoticky finishes the drive and makes it 13-7 at half as the XP is blocked.… pic.twitter.com/Cj43gxPh4Y
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 2, 2023
We had lots of action in quarter three, but only one score. The Crusaders’ Rico Scott caught a TD toss in a crowd from Saunders to tie the game at the end of quarter three.
They do it again! @DallasMountsFB recovers an on sides kick on the 2nd half kickoff! Up 13-7 over @McD_Football_ @PIAASports 4A semifinal @BadgleyBruce @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports pic.twitter.com/2TuLGjH1dN
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 2, 2023
A 37 yard field goal by @DallasMountsFB is no good. @DallasMountsFB still up 13-7 over @McD_Football_ 5:08 quarter 3 @PIAASports 4A semifinal @HSFBamerica @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports pic.twitter.com/rKqAuXWOW4
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 2, 2023
On a 4th and 10 from the 20, @McD_Football_ QB Stone Saunders hits Rico Scott for the TD! The extra point is BLOCKED @McD_Football_ and @DallasMountsFB are tied at 13 as we end quarter 3 of the @PIAASports 4A semifinal ! Here we go! @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/xsCG6QNIjk
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 2, 2023
The fourth quarter was all about the kickers. Laubach with one more for the Mounts, then Gerard Lulinda drills the equalizer with under a minute left in regulation.
And that’s Roland Laubach booting through the field goal for @DallMountsFB and a 16-13 lead over @McD_Football_ in the @PIAASports 4A semifinal 9:34 remaining. Hang on to your hats! @HSFBamerica @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports pic.twitter.com/gtWDfcbRkY
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 2, 2023
Gerard Lulinda for @McD_Football_ from 30…..and it’s through! Tied at 16 with @DallasMountsFB :44 left in regulation @PIAASports 4A semifinal! @HSFBamerica @PremiunSports @boblongsports @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/JNX4KfnDD6
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 2, 2023
And onto overtime we went. Each team scored a TD and extra point in the first OT.
@DallasMountsFB Nate Malarkey the TD reception XP is good. 24-16 @McD_Football_ turn in the 1st OT @HSFBamerica pic.twitter.com/4DFP1RcCEX
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 2, 2023
Look at the effort by @McD_Football_ Jones-Davis XP is good. Going to 2nd OT with @DallasMountsFB 23 all. @HSFBamerica @CaryMoyer @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/mWNGLTwlCd
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 2, 2023
In the second overtime, Dallas blocked a McDevitt field goal attempt to start. Dallas was next. In came Rowan Laubach on second down for his field goal attempt. When it went through, everything and everyone in baby blue came unglued. The Mountaineers had earned a berth in the 4A championship Thursday Night.
@DallasMountsFB has shocked the @PIAASports world! Rowan Laubach the game winning field goal following a block of a @McD_Football_ field goal to win 26-23 in Double OT in the @PIAASports 4A semifinal. OH MY! @HSFBamerica @CaryMoyer @PremiunSports @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/dDHTyT3zM7
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 2, 2023
