Two points haunted Pennsville Memorial High School’s football team for a month. Then, on a crisp Mischief Night in October, Pennsville got their revenge. It was all tricks, no treats, for Burlington City as they fell to Pennsville, 17-14.
Horror looked right between the eyes of Burlington City. Oh no, that was Pennsville when they scored the game-winning touchdown with 22.9 seconds to go in the game.
After a quick three-and-out by Burlington to kick off the game, Pennsville got to work. They marched down the field until Pennsville QB Jake Layfield was sacked on fourth down, allowing the Blue Devils to take over. The Eagles did not let up. Defense stuffed the Blue Devils after flags and high snaps killed any momentum they started to have. The Eagles would get the ball back and put the first points on the board in the top of the second quarter.
They decided to go for two – probably precautionary after seeing their Sept. 25 game end in a two-point loss, 24-22. But Burlington City was not down and out yet. They extended their drive a few times despite a critical offsetting penalty where Burlington City got handsy with Pennsville, but Pennsville allegedly didn’t help their case. On a crucial 4th and 9 with Burlington City in possession, they were hit with unsportsmanlike conduct. Pennsville got the ball back but was unable to do anything with it.
Before the half, Pennsville had a big gain on their opening drive, but momentum was ruined with a holding call and fumble. With the Blue Devils getting the ball back, running back Tavion Miller put Burlington on the board, 8-6, following a failed 2-point conversion.
With minutes to go before the fourth, a miffed punt by Burlington City allowed the Eagles to score a safety, their second “two points” of the night. The Blue Devils came alive again after the Eagles fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter, scoring a touchdown with 4 minutes to go in regulation, 14-10.
Now, it was serious. There was no way the Pennsville Eagles were going to lose again by single digit points.
Needing to waste as much clock time as possible, the Eagles extended drives and nearly fumbled again, but a big gain gave them the red zone with 1:46 on the play clock. Fans donned in Halloween costumes were roaring. The cheerleaders were even locked into the game. Every second counted.
The Eagles were hit with a false start on their first and goal. 2nd and 12. 59 seconds to go.
Pass incomplete. 3rd and 12.
Pass incomplete but critical face mask on Burlington City. 4th and 6.
Layfield, who put up a total over 2,000 career yards on Mischief Night, connected with Danny Knight on a 23-yard pass – with 23 seconds to go. The Eagles held out and won the game, 17-14.
Pennsville will now face Delaware Valley, who is 8-2 on the season, after a big win over Gateway in the Oct. 30 matchup. They’ll have to correct their holding penalties and work on defending deep and outside of the field.
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