By Nick Forbes, Managing Editor of Design
The Stagg Hat Trophy is coming back to Selinsgrove after the Susquehanna River Hawks defeated the rival Lycoming Warriors 7-6 in an opening-day defensive showdown on Saturday, Sept. 2.
While the River Hawks offense was only able to muster one touchdown in the game, their defense was stellar, allowing only two field goals and shutting out the Warriors in the final three quarters of the game.
Lycoming quickly took their first drive of the game 72 yards down to the Susquehanna three-yard line, but were stalled at the goal line after running into Susquehanna’s big defensive line, including senior Kyle Micik and sophomore Kashief Hyatt.
Lycoming kicker Jamie Fisher hit the field goal from 20 yards out to give the Warriors a 3-0 lead.
On the ensuing Susquehanna drive, the River Hawks made dents in the Warriors defense behind the barreling running of senior tailback Cameron Ott. The drive came to an end after senior quarterback Nick Crusco’s pass ricocheted off senior receiver Diamente Holloway’s foot and into the arms of the Lycoming defense.
Lycoming drove the ball to the red zone, but only managed a field goal from Fisher to give them a six-point lead.
With two minutes remain- ing in the first quarter, the River Hawks took over the ball at their own 19-yard line, looking for some sort of spark on offense.
That spark came on a fourth down and four, when Head Coach Tom Perkovich dialed up a fake punt.
The fake completely fooled the Lycoming defense, as Ott took the direct snap from center and rumbled 59 yards down to the Warriors five-yard line. Three plays later, Crusco connected with Holloway on a short out route in the end zone to tie the game at six.
Freshman kicker Connor Lustenberger tacked on the extra point to give Susquehanna the lead.
From there, the River Hawks defense dug in. In the second half, the Warriors only managed two third down conversions against the stout defense led by sophomore defensive back Craig Roumes with nine tackles and sophomore defensive lineman Tucker Garner and junior linebacker Connor Thompson with six tackles apiece and a shared sack.
Senior defensive back Ryan Ganard also had a key interception that prevented a rallying Lycoming touchdown in the third quarter.
“I’m very proud of the effort of the defense today,” said Perkovich. “The special teams play was very good as well. I am proud of the way we persevered through the day and rebounded from mistakes and finished the game. We have been stressing the importance of finishing games strong for the past two years and it was very evident today that the team played their hearts out right through the final seconds.”
As much as the offense struggled, they managed to grind out 425 yards of total offense on a miserable, rainy day that no doubt had an effect on the football game.
Ott was the go-to option for Susquehanna, carrying the ball 14 times for 129 yards. Junior running back Luke Robertson grinded his way to 71 yards on eight carries. The success in the running game allowed Susquehanna to chew the clock and dictate possession in the game, holding the ball for over 36 minutes.
Crusco finished the day 25-40 for 144 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Senior Tommy Bluj led the River Hawk receivers with 60 yards receiving.
Susquehanna faces a tough opponent on Saturday, Sept. 9 when they travel to Baltimore, Maryland to take on the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays in their first away game of the year.
Last season, the Blue Jays put together a perfect regular season, that included a 41-7 drubbing of the River Hawks.
It is important to note, however, that Susquehanna faced the Blue Jays last year without prominent starting quarterback Nick Crusco.
Instead Susquehanna, alumni Matt Theis stepped into his place and went 15-30 for 180 yards and an interception.
The Blue Jays gashed Susquehanna for 555 yards of total offense in the las match-up, but Susquehanna hopes their new bolstered defense will hold up to Hopkins gunning offense.
