BRADFORD - This wasn't the result Pennsylvania's senior all-stars had hoped for in the 39th Annual Don Raabe Big 30 Charities Classic.
New York stormed out to an early lead, and Pennsylvania couldn't score on offense as PA was defeated 25-15 on Saturday night at Bradford's Parkway Field.
Pennsylvania scored two defensive touchdowns on interception returns, and also recorded a safety, to score its 15 points.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Jonathan McAfoos
Big hit at Big 30
Warren’s Nathan Zigler makes a tackle for PA during the Don Raabe Big 30 Charities Classic football game on Saturday at Parkway Field in Bradford.
Turnovers were a problem throughout the game for both teams. Pennsylvania began its first offensive series by fumbling on the first play, already trailing 7-0. PA would fumble four times on the night, losing two. PA had four turnovers in all.
New York would also turn the ball over four times, including to end the first quarter.
St. Marys' David Aul helped Pennsylvania get on the board with two minutes remaining in the first quarter when he picked off an errant pass from New York quarterback Colt Lowe and returned it 52 yards for the touchdown.
After New York tacked on twelve more points in the second, the teams played to a scoreless third quarter before Pennsylvania began to rally in the fourth.
The defense came up big for a second time with Zach Vleminckx returning an interception 52 yards to make the score 19-13. On the very next possession, a wild New York snap led to a PA safety, and suddenly Pennsylvania trailed by only four points with possession of the ball.
Once again, the offense was unable to get any type of momentum and New York sealed the deal when Jake Swan hauled in his second touchdown of the game with 4:30 to play, making the score 25-15.
Pennsylvania's offense had several scoring chances, but failed to convert several fourth downs. On two separate occasions, PA had a man wide open down field for what looked to be a sure touchdown, only to have the receiver miss the opportunity each time.
Swan and Dalton Peterson had monster games for New York, gaining close to 300 yards and three touchdowns combined.
Several Warren County players had big games for the Pennsylvania side. Nick Bonavita from Sheffield had 70 receiving yards and 76 combined yards, while Sheffield quarterback Ike Nearing finished with 135 passing yards. Bonavita had five receptions, Sheffield's Kalil Slaughter three, Warren's Chris Danielson two and Nathan Zigler also had a reception for PA. Former Sheffield head coach Bryan Gould was head coach for Pennsylvania and coached with new Sheffield head coach Dave Fitch.
New York-Pennsylvania Stats
New York71206-25
Pennsylvania6009-15
First Quarter
N-Jake Swan 1-yard pass from Colt Lowe, Lowe PAT, 11:10.
P-David Aul 52 yard interception return, PAT failed, 1:56.
Second Quarter
NDalton Peterson 19-yard pass from Preston Wiltsie, run failed, 14:55.
NCorey Vail 3-yard run, pass failed, 8:47.
Fourth Quarter
PZach Vleminckx 52-yard interception return, Pat Shuey PAT, 12:43.
PSafety, 11:10.
NPeterson 15-yard touchdown pass from Lowe, run failed, 4:30
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NYPA
Offensive Plays6771
First downs1415
Rushes-yards26-(-25)27-(-2)
Passing411207
Total Yards386205
Comp-Att-Int28-41-320-44-2
Fumbles-Lost4-14-2
Penalties-Yards13-1029-77