Written by: Brian Ptashinski on Sunday, August 28th, 2022
Allentown Central Catholic Staves Off Upset-Minded Liberty Hurricanes Saturday Night.
By Brian Ptashinski @BPtashinski 0n Twitter
ALLENTOWN-The defending 4A District XI Champions the Allentown Central Catholic Vikings got all they could handle from a very explosive and talented group of Hurricanes of Bethlehem Liberty Saturday night at J.Birney Crum Stadium and when the final horn sounded the Vikings held on for an exciting 34-28 win on a hot muggy night, were several players went down from cramping throughout the contest.
The Hurricanes struck first behind the running of Tommy Mason who capped off a two play drive on a spectacular 63 yard jaunt with 7:45 left in the opening quarter, the PAT was blocked leaving the score at 6-0.
Tommy Mason 63yd TD for Bethlehem Liberty 7:45 left opening quarter 6-0 over Allentown Central Catholic @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/iBrwmPjnEr
— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 27, 2022
Central Catholic’s RB Caiden Shaffer scored the first of his four touchdowns on the ensuing drive with 3:22 left on the clock after a 8 play drive, Shaffer scored from 2 yards out and with the PAT made the score 7-6 home team.
Caiden Shaffer 2yd run for Allentown Central Catholic score 3:55 left 1st quarter ACC leads Liberty 7-6 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/J5VQAj2wzW
— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 27, 2022
Mason was able to find the end zone again on first play of the second quarter on a five yard run capping an 8 play 77 yard drive.
Nathan Schultz then ripped off a brilliant 44 yard run around right end for a Viking touchdown and to make the score 14-13 with 9:25 till halftime.
Nathan Shultz 44yd score for Allentown Central Catholic 9:25 till half Central Catholic up 13-6 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/BQFSqCR9Ah
— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 28, 2022
With the Vikings backed up and facing a fourth down from deep inside their own territory, punter Connor McLaughlin fumbled the snap and then trying rush to get the kick off had it blocked and Isaiah Osorio picked up the ball and and dashed his way for a 15 yard score and a 21-13 lead with 2:07 left.
Central catholic responded quickly with drive that only took 1:46 and 8 plays capped off by another Shaffer score from 2 yads out making the score 21-20 in favor of Liberty as both teams headed for the locker room.
Caiden Shaffer 2yd @acchs_football score. PAT good 14 seconds till half Liberty leads 21-20 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/9V0UI2UpZr
— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 28, 2022
The third quarter started on a bad note for Central catholic as a turnover on the first play and a recovery by the Hurricanes set them up at the Viking 33. Tommy Mason then lofted a perfectly thrown pass to Anthony Askerneese who was double-covered but kept his concentration and hauld in the pass for a touchdown to make it 28-20 Hurricanes lead.
Anthony Askerneese with this nifty 33yd TD catch for Liberty score with 11:07 left 3rd quarter now leads ACC 28-20 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/k3RlO6FQ11
— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 28, 2022
Shaffer then would find the end zone twice more once on a five yard run that ended a 9 play 65 yard drive in the third quarter and then once again in the fourth again on a four yard score with 7:19 left in the contest.
Caiden Shaffer 4yd TD run for ACC with 7:18 left in the game Vikings lead Liberty 34-28 with 2pt conversion @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/3v04DiFqdo
— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 28, 2022
This is what both Coach Tim McGorry and Caiden Shaffer of Central Catholic stated after the game:
My post-game interview with @acchs_football coach Tim McGorry after his team defeated Liberty tonight 34-21 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/0Xkp2Un96E
— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 28, 2022
My post-game interview with @acchs_football Caiden Shaffer after his 4 touchdown performance against Liberty tonight 34-28 win @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/hLBQh0H3wD
— Brian Ptashinski (@BPtashinski) August 28, 2022
Next Week Central Catholic (1-0) will be on the road to face Emmaus (1-0) coming off huge 19-13 win over Freedom, while Liberty (0-1) will host Whitehall (0-1) a 35-7 loser to Bethlehem Catholic at BASD STadium.
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