Football - Mt Pleasant vs Southmoreland

October 28, 2023

Da'sjon Craggette Sets Rushing Record as Southmoreland Pounds Mount Pleasant 40-3.

A record setting performance by running back Da'sjon Craggette led Southmoreland to a dominating victory on the final night of the regular season, as the Scotties trounced rival Mount Pleasant 40-3 on Friday, October 27, at Viking Stadium in Mount Pleasant.

Southmoreland ended Mount Pleasant's 3-year winning streak over the Scotties dating back to 2020. The Vikings hold a 36-8 overall edge over the Scotties, but Southmoreland has fared better in recent years, winning 3 of the past 6 games.

The opening quarter of this spirited rivalry was high on emotion, but lacking in execution, as both teams struggled early to sustain offensive drives. Southmoreland finally broke the ice with 1:12 to play in the first quarter when Jake Kaylor kicked a 22-yard field goal. The quarter ended with the Scotties on top 3-0.

Mount Pleasant evened the score with a field goal of their own at the 9:31 mark in the second when Jarett Garn connected from 32 yards out. But the Scotties answered on the first play from scrimmage following the ensuing kickoff when Da'sjon Craggette took a handoff and rambled 80 yards for a touchdown at 9:17 left in the half. Kaylor, who was 4-of-5 on extra points, booted the PAT for a 10-3 Southmoreland lead.

Craggette added his second TD with 3:39 left in the half, a 92-yarder that put Southmoreland on top 17-3. Kaylor added a 25-yard field goal to end the half and send the Scotties to the locker room leading 20-3.

Southmoreland received the second half kickoff and went right to work extending their lead. Craggette capped their drive with a 14-yard touchdown run at 8:19 left in the third. While Mount Pleasant struggled to mount any kind of offensive drive, the Scotties continued to dominate, as quarterback Kadin Keefer tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Ty Keffer, and Southmoreland went into the final quarter up 34-3.

Southmoreland put the game into mercy-rule status with the game's final points at 11:04 left to play. Craggett's 22-yard TD run was the cherry on top of a 4-touchdown run performance, with a team record 335-yard individual rushing total for the Southmoreland history books.

Both teams, having been already qualified for the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs, now know their playoff seeding and opponent for the opening round. Southmoreland (6-4) received a #9 seed and will travel to take on #8 Deer Lakes. Mount Pleasant (6-4) received a #11 seed and will travel to #6 West Mifflin. All opening round playoff games will be played Friday, November 3, at 7 PM.

Follow this link for a gallery of over 300 action photos from this game, available for purchase.

Keywords: boys, football, high school, mt pleasant, southmoreland, westmoreland county