Brian Hagberg
COUDERSPORT, Pa. – One miscue proved to be the difference as the Warren Dawgs dropped a 2-0 heartbreaker at undefeated Coudersport on Saturday.
In a defensive slugfest, the Dawgs stopped the Falcons’ best drive of the game with an interception at the 1-yard-line. Two plays later, a shotgun snap sailed out of bounds for a safety and what proved to be the only points of the game.
Coudersport locked up the top seed in the playoffs with the win, while Warren secured the No. 2 seed with a 5-2 record. The Dawgs’ two losses were by a combined eight points (2-0 to Coudersport Saturday, and a 6-0 overtime loss to Smethport on Aug. 20). Warren outscored its opponents 84-32 for the season.
Warren outgained Coudersport, 228-92, for the game and made multiple trips to the red zone but was unable to punch one in.
Midway through the second quarter, the Falcons’ offense had its longest drive of the day. However, the Dawgs’ defense throttled down, and Bentlee Moore came up with an interception in the end zone and was tackled at the Dawgs’ one-yard line. That led to the Coudersport safety.
The Dawgs’ offense was led by Tanner Stuart’s 10 yards passing and 97 yards rushing/receiving. Blake Peterson added 54 yards, while Grant May posted 41 yards for the day. Collin Havers had 18 yards rushing, Connor Smith had 25 yards passing with 5 yards rushing and Bentlee Moore added a 10-yard reception. Nate Harris rounded out the offensive attack with 3 yards rushing/receiving.
The Dawgs’ defense was led by Owen Damcott (12 tackles) and Tanner Stuart (11 tackles, 1 sack), as they kept the Falcons’ offense out of the red zone all game. Blake Peterson tallied 7 tackles and a sack for the Dawgs, while Collin Havers, Chase Raub, and Jeremiah Lyon each added 4 tackles. Wesley Stevens Jr. and Bentlee Moore each had 3 tackles, while Moore added the interception for the Dawgs’ lone turnover of the day. Grant May, Brody Connolly, Clayton Hammerbeck, and Liam Frederoski each had 2 tackles, while Nate Harris added a tackle.
Warren will host Smethport at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Sheffield’s Wolverine Mountain in the semifinals. The winner will face either Bradford or Coudersport for the league title on Oct. 15.
