Football - Hempfield Area vs Penn-Trafford

September 23, 2022

Hempfield Serves Notice with 28-17 Win over Penn-Trafford

This ain't your father's Hempfield Spartans. Maybe not even your grandfather's Hempfield Spartans.

No, this fast-tempo 2022 version of the Hempfield Spartans has done something that hasn't been seen around these parts for over 50 years - open the season on a 5-0 winning streak.

Hempfield overcame a 10-point deficit midway through the second quarter to score 21 unanswered points and beat the defending Class 5A WPIAL and PIAA champion Penn-Trafford Warriors 28-17 in front of a full house on Friday, September 23, at Spartan Stadium.

Hempfield got on the scoreboard first after a Jake Phillips interception gave the Spartans the ball on Penn-Trafford's 1 yard line. Phillips then called his own number and carried in for the touchdown. Joshua Reilly kicked the extra point for a 7-0 Spartans lead.

Penn-Trafford got on the board soon after the second quarter started when Conlan Greene hit Tasso Whipple with a 22-yard touchdown pass. Logan Swartz booted the extra point and the teams were all-square at 7 apiece.

The Warriors took the lead on a Tom Kalkstein run of 65 yards, with Swartz adding the extra point. Penn-Trafford followed up with a 32-yard Brady Paliscak field goal to make the score 17-7 with 5:51 remaining in the first half.

Hempfield closed the gap before the half ended when Elijah Binakonsky scampered 41 yards into the end zone to make the halftime score 17-14 Warriors.

Hempfield took the lead in the third quarter when Phillips hit Ian Tuffs for a 42-yard touchdown pass, with Reilly adding the bonus point.

Any hope of a late comeback faded away for the Warriors when Phillips found Anthony Vallano streaking across the middle with a 31-yard touchdown toss, with Reilly's PAT kick added on.

Penn-Trafford had a late drive that ended with a missed field goal, and Hempfield finished the game in victory formation and the 28-17 win. Penn-Trafford had won the past 19 times the teams met.

The Spartans (5-0, 1-0) sit atop the Class 5A Big East conference standings and will host Gateway next week. Penn-Trafford (3-2, 0-1) will host another long-time rival, Norwin, next week.

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

Keywords: boys, football, hempfield, high school, penn trafford, westmoreland county