Lackawanna Trail vs. Belmont Charter

Recap

BELMONT CHARTER 52, LACKAWANNA TRAIL 40

Lackawanna Trail’s season came to a close Friday night as Belmont Charter used its quickness, big-play ability and three turnovers to secure a 52–40 win in the PIAA Class 1A quarterfinals at Northern Lehigh’s Bulldog Stadium.

Belmont Charter (10–1) moves on to face Bishop Guilfoyle in the state semifinals. Lackawanna Trail finishes 12–2.

The Bears controlled the second half behind standout runner Shyneem Newsuan, who totaled 184 rushing yards on 13 carries, including touchdown runs of 52 and 74 yards. He added two more scores as a receiver. Quarterback Nafis Watkins completed 15 of 20 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns, helping Belmont Charter turn Trail’s turnovers into points.

Lackawanna Trail stayed in the game early despite the absence of senior star Isaac Ryon, who missed much of the first half with a hamstring injury. Tim Richmond delivered two catches for 104 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown, before leaving in the third quarter with a leg injury. Sean Dwyer added rushing touchdowns of 7 and 6 yards as Trail trailed just 22–20 at halftime.

Ryon returned in the second half and finished with 100 yards and three touchdowns.

Trail pulled within 28–26 midway through the third quarter, but Belmont Charter took over quickly. Newsuan sprinted 52 yards for a score, a mishandled squib kickoff gave the Bears another possession, and Watkins hit Newsuan again to make it 40–26. Trail answered once more, but a 67-yard touchdown pass from Watkins to Kabir Knight pushed the lead back to 46–33 and sealed the outcome.

Lackawanna Trail’s effort and late-season resilience carried through to the end, but Belmont Charter’s speed ultimately proved too much.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER

None

2ND QUARTER

LT – Tim Richmond 49-yd pass from Tyler Jervis (Joey Thomas kick) – Lackawanna Trail 7-0

BC – Shyneem Newsuan 10-yd run (Moise Fluervial pass from Nafis Watkins) – Belmont Charter 8-7

LT – Sean Dwyer 7-yd run (Thomas kick) – Lackawanna Trail 14-8

BC – Aiden Ivery 20-yd pass from Watkins (Newsan run) – Belmont Charter 16-14

BC – Tahir Tucker 11-yd pass from Watkins (Run failed) – Belmont Charter 22-14

LT – Dwyer 6-yd run (Kick failed) – Belmont Charter 22-20

3RD QUARTER

BC – Tucker 28-yd pass from Watkins (Pass failed) – Belmont Charter 28-20

LT – Isaac Ryon 1-yd run (Run failed) – Belmont Charter 28-26

BC – Newsuan 52-yd run (Pass failed) – Belmont Charter 34-26

BC – Tucker 22-yd pass from Watkins (Pass failed) – Belmont Charter 40-26

4TH QUARTER

LT – Ryon 4-yd run (Thomas kick) – Belmont Charter 40-33

BC – Kabir Knight 67-yd pass from Watkins (Pass failed) – Belmont Charter 46-33

BC – Newsuan 74-yd run (Pass failed) – Belmont Charter 52-33

LT – Ryon 1-yd run (Thomas kick) – Belmont Charter 52-40