West Scranton at Lakeland

Recap

LAKELAND 25, WEST SCRANTON 18

At Chapman Lake, Lakeland was able to stave off a valiant comeback effort by West Scranton and defeated the Invaders by the score of 25-18.

Neither team had great success moving the ball in the first quarter. The Chiefs were finally able to post the first points of the game when standout placekicker Ryan Bianchi converted on a 29-yard field goal with 4:30 remaining in the opening period.

The West Scranton defense was stout in the first half, turning away Lakeland on several possessions. The Invaders, though, had a snap sail over the head of quarterback Caiden Berardi that resulted in a safety, making the score 5-0 with 7:33 left before halftime.

The Chiefs were finally able to mount a scoring drive thanks to the rushing and passing of quarterback David Naniewicz. The rangy junior signal caller followed up a hurdling 11-yard run to the Invader 1-yard line with a quarterback sneak. The try for 2 was unsuccessful, making the halftime score 11-0 in favor of the Chiefs.

The third period, however, belonged completely to the visiting Invaders. West scored on consecutive drives to take the lead. With 7:27 remaining in the quarter, sophomore back Cameron Cole raced 44 yards for the score. After stopping Lakeland on their next possession, the Invaders took their only lead of the night when Berardi hit sophomore wideout Quincy Mosely from 7-yards out. The Invaders were not able to make any extra points in the ball game. Mosely’s touchdown gave West a narrow 12-11 lead with 2:06 remaining in the third stanza.

Lakeland countered immediately, once again thanks to the heroics of Naniewicz who would not be denied. At the West 25-yard line, he hooked up with favorite target Drew Rosenkrans for the score. Bianchi’s try made the score 18-12 in favor of the Chiefs with 10:35 left to play in the ball game.

As they did all night long, the Invaders refused to quit, mounting a successful scoring drive that resulted in the senior quarterback, Berardi, blasting in from 3-yards out, tying the score at 18 with 6:36 left in the game.

On the ensuing kickoff, Jackson Pochas weaved 84 yards with the climactic score, ending the Invaders’ attempt to get their first win. Bianchi’s final point made the score 25-18.

Both teams will finish their regular seasons on the road. Lakeland (3-6 overall, 1-3) will travel to Mid-Valley while West Scranton (0-9, 0-4) will have one final chance to notch their first victory of the season when they visit Honesdale.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Quarter

LAK – Ryan Bianchi 29-yd field goal – Lakeland 3-0

2nd Quarter

LAK – Safety – Lakeland 5-0

LAK – David Naniewicz 1-yd run (Pass failed) – Lakeland 11-0

3rd Quarter

WS – Cameron Cole 44-yd run (Run failed) – Lakeland 11-6

WS – Quincy Mosley 7-yd pass from Caden Berardi (Run failed) – West Scranton 12-11

4th Quarter

LAK – Chase Rosenkrans25-yd pass from Naniewicz (Bianchi kick) – Lakeland 18-12

WS – Berardi 3-yd run (Kick failed) – Tied 18-18

LAK – Jackson Pochas 84-yd kickoff return (Bianchi kick) – Lakeland 25-18