Football - Hempfield at Greensburg Salem

Greensburg Salem Rallies Late, but Hempfield Prevails 27-24

Greensburg Salem scored first, and they scored last. But they didn't score the most, as their neighbor's from Hempfield Area spoiled the season opener at Greensburg's Offutt Field with their 27-24 victory in front of a good sized crowd. 

The Golden Lions opened the scoring with Aaron Putt's touchdown run from 44 yards out to take a 7-0 lead with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter. Hempfield answered when Blake Remaley hit Roman Pellis for a touchdown, tying the score at the end of one quarter. Greensburg Salem went back on top as Tyler WIlliam caught a Trent Patrick pass in stride and took it in for a touchdown. The point after kick was blocked by Hempfield's Nathan Roby, and it was 13-7 with 9:21 left in the first half. Hempfield bounced back when Mario Perkins scored on a short run at 4:59 of the second quarter, going up 14-13. Roby, witn one interception in his pocket earlier in the half, snagged his second pick deeep in Golden Lion territory, taking it in from 22 yards out to put the Spartans back up 21-13. Senior Ethan Turnbull booted a 40 yard field goal for the Lions with 10 seconds left in the half, making the score 21-16 at intermission. 

Both teams slowed their scoring in the second half, with Hempfield's Blake Remaley calling his own number for a 28-yard rushing touchdown and their final points of the game. The extra point was no good, and Hempfield led 27-16 with 6:16 left in the third quarter. But the Lions didn't give up, blocking a Hempfield punt late in the fourth quarter and mounting a scoring drive with a Jalen Page touchdown reception with 1:11 left in the game. A Cavan Trout reception for the two-point conversion brought the Lions within a field goal, but Hempfield recovered the ensuing onside kick and this battle of neighbors ended with the Spartans winning 27-24. 

Hempfield travels to Pine Richland next week to open section play, while Greensburg Salem starts their section schedule with Trinity at Offutt Field.  

Watch this link for a full gallery of action photos available for purchase or sharing the day after the game.