Delaware Valley at Abington Heights

Recap

DELAWARE VALLEY 27, ABINGTON HEIGHTS 24

By Tom Robinson

Mike Iuzzolino’s running and Colin McGarvey’s passing allowed visiting Delaware Valley to overcome a pair of 17-point deficits and avenge a loss in the same game a year ago by beating Abington Heights, 27-24, for the District 2 Class 5A title Friday night.

Iuzzolino carried 29 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

McGarvey completed his last eight passes to finish 11-for-13 for 169 yards and a score.

After scoring twice in the last minute of the first half, Delaware Valley went to the grind-it-out approach in its three second-half drives.

The Warriors had some frustration with the first of those drives, settling for a field goal to cut the deficit. They took the lead on the next possession then ran out the clock while picking up three first downs and reaching the Abington Heights 10 to end the game.

Abington Heights scored the game’s first 17 points and led 24-7 before Delaware Valley scored the last 20.

Jayden Anglin surpassed 100 yards rushing in the first half when he scored from the 7 in the first quarter and 10 in the second. He finished with 154 yards on 24 carries.

Shane Anders caught eight passes for 65 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown pass from Nick Bradley.

The teams combined for 637 yards of total offense, but the defenses did their part by setting up scores, then Delaware Valley shut out Abington Heights in the second half.

Thomas Reese recovered a fumble on the second play of the game and the Comets covered 36 yards in 10 plays, converting two third-downs and a fourth-down situation and scoring on Anglin’s first touchdown.

Abington Heights started from its 10 on the next possession, but a 31-yard Anglin run got the Comets out of the hole and Jack Hartshorn easily made a 35-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead after one quarter.

Delaware Valley gambled on fourth-and-two from its own side of the field. Max Gordon and Brendan Dougherty made the stop for Abington Heights and the Comets moved 44 yards in six plays. Bradley scrambled away from pressure to find Anders for the touchdown.

The Warriors offense was nearly flawless the rest of the way, scoring on five straight possessions before kneeling down once it reached the 10 in the final minute.

Iuzzolino got the Delaware Valley scoring started on a 16-yard run midway through the second quarter.

McGarvey was 3-for-3 for 69 yards on the next touchdown drive.

After cutting the deficit to 24-14 with 54.5 seconds left in the half, the Warriors forced a quick punt.

McGarvey hit two more passes for 40 yards to set up Reagan Decker’s 21-yard field goal that caromed off the right upright and through as time expired in the first half.

Abington Heights began moving to start the second half, crossing into Delaware Valley territory before Trey Newton intercepted.

The Warriors then drove 72 yards in 15 plays. Two penalties after getting to second-and-goal from the 1, led to Decker’s 28-yard field goal to make it 24-20 with 2:45 left in the third.

Delaware Valley forced a fumble three plays later.

Iuzzolini carried all seven times on the winning drive, picking up 34 yards, including 3 for the touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Abington Heights drove to the 17 before Delaware Valley held on downs and killed the final 4:04 off the clock.

The Comets finished 8-3.

Delaware Valley improved to 6-5. After starting the season 0-4, they have won six out of seven with the only loss coming in overtime against North Pocono, District 2’s only unbeaten team.

The Warriors will play unbeaten Hollidaysburg in the state playoffs next week.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER

AH – Jaydin Anglin 7-yd run (Jack Hartshorn kick) – Abington Heights 7-0

AH – Jack Hartshorn 35-yd field goal (Hartshorn kick) – Abington Heights 10-0

2ND QUARTER

AH – Gavin Anders 16-yd pass from Nick Bradley (Hartshorn kick) – Abington Heights 17-0

DV – Mike Iuzzolino 16-yd run (Reagan Decker kick) – Abington Heights 17-7

AH – Anglin 20-yd run (Hartshorn kick) – Abington Heights 24-7

DV – Donald Outer 38-yd pass from Colin McGarvey (Decker kick) – Abington Heights 24-14

DV – Decker 21-yd field goal – Abington Heights 24-17

3RD QUARTER

DV – Decker 28-yd kick – Abington Heights 24-20

4TH QUARTER

DV – Iuzzolino 3-yd run (Decker kick) – Delaware Valley 27-24