Suburban Barely Edges Over Susquehannock in Friday Night Football

By Dan McNair, Video Editor

Spectators of the matchup against the York Suburban Trojans witnessed a close, nail-biting game at the home gridiron on the night of Friday, October 7.

For much of the game, each team was able to successfully react to the other’s attacks and keep everyone guessing about the eventual winner.

The Warriors secured 10 points in the first quarter off of a short sprint into the endzone by Quarterback Chase Summers followed with a field goal by Adam Hedgeland.

However, the Trojans responded less than three minutes later with a touchdown by their own Teague Hoffman, bringing the first quarter to a close with Susquehannock up 10-7.

Photo by Mia Kobylski
Both teams watching out for a pass. Photo by Mia Kobylski.

Both The Warriors and Trojans scored 7 points each in the second quarter; a 3 yard carry into the end zone by Jadon Haynes for Suburban and another 3-yard carry by Jack Allred for Susquehannock.

By the end of the third quarter, Susquehannock maintained its’ 3 point lead when each team scored yet another pair of 7 points from runs by both Jadon Haynes for the Trojans and Jack Allred for the Warriors.

Up until the fourth quarter, neither team showed clear dominance. 

Suburban was able to shut down all of Susky’s drives while scoring a touchdown of their own with just under 7 minutes left in the game.

Trojan Quarterback Ben Igo provided Janner Torres with a 39-yard pass to be successfully rushed behind the Warrior’s defense, closing the suspenseful game with a score of 28-24 in favor of Suburban.

Susquehannock quarterback Chase Summers shared his thoughts after the game.

“We came out strong, and we were leading the game for the most part,” said Summers.

Photo by Mia Kobylski
The Warriors prepare for a play. Photo by Mia Kobylski.

“At the end of the game we gave up a key drive. We kinda got tired on defense and we started to give up plays.”

Summers noted how the team prepares for each game differently.

“We just started being a lot more focused in practice. We started conditioning a lot more, doing a lot of hills. A lot of up-downs and a lot of discipline things to change our mindset and get us more focused for the game on Friday. We knew all of the plays and how to execute and all that. It was more about getting more mentally tough and physically ready for the games.”

In order to win the division title, the Warriors must win every game remaining in the regular season along with several key opposing teams taking losses.

“Our losses have just been a game of inches; we could easily be 4-2 right now. We lost 3 games by 4 points or less. It’s really just learning how to finish games and pull out the win,” said Summers.

Head Coach Steve Wiles also shared his reaction to the game against Suburban.

Photo by Mia Kobylski
The Warriors before breaking into formation. Photo by Mia Kobylski.

“They were pretty balanced as far as running the ball and throwing the ball. They had some big plays both ways,” said Wiles.

“We did everything but win the game. We played well; we played with a lot of intensity and excitement.  I was happy with our effort. I thought we executed pretty well. We put 24 points up. If we completed that last pass, we were looking at taking the lead and ending the game. It’s just little things. When you get too close games, mental mistakes can cost us.’

Wiles spoke about the remainder of the season.

“Record-wise, we’re not where we wanna be, but kids have been coming to practice with a good attitude which is a good sign. I’m trying to stress to them that we’re playing pretty good football; we’re working hard and doing the right things. It’s just a few mental mistakes, and if we can correct those, we [will] win a couple of these games.”