Football - Penn-Trafford vs Franklin Regional

October 12, 2024

Penn-Trafford Battles to 26-10 Conference Win over Franklin Regional

Penn-Trafford made the most of several big special teams plays in topping boundary school rival Franklin Regional 26-10 in an important Big East Conference contest on Friday, October 11, at Warrior Stadium in Harrison City. The win handed Franklin Regional their first conference loss and elevated the Warriors into a second place tie with the Panthers behind conference leader Woodland Hills.

Franklin Regional drew first blood, taking the opening possession deep into Warrior's territory before stalling out and settling for a 29-yard Joey Bayne field goal. Penn-Trafford answered with a scoring drive of their own, capped by Tasso Whipple's 15-yard touchdown run. Logan Hunter kicked the PAT and the Warriors led 7-3.

Franklin Regional responded with another good drive into PT territory, but this time the Warriors blocked Bayne's 34-yard field goal attempt to deny the Panthers. Penn-Trafford's special teams set up their next score when the punt coverage unit recovered a Franklin Regional fumble deep in the red zone, leading to Jonny Lovre's 1-yard plunge to paydirt. Hunter's kick put the Warriors on top 14-3 at halftime.

Franklin Regional bounced back early in the third quarter when Jack Weir's interception deep in Warriors' territory set up Kyle Dupill for a 13-yard touchdown run. Bayne's kick closed the Panthers' deficit to 14-10. But it was as close as Franklin Regional would get.

Penn-Trafford got an early fourth quarter field goal of 32 yards off the foot of Jack Miller to extend their lead to 17-10. Then, after pinning the Panthers deep in their own territory, Penn-Trafford's Landyn Stikkel blocked Bayne's punt attempt, which was picked up by Jack Silvis for the Panthers, who was tackled in the end zone by PT's Jamison Yurt for a safety. Penn-Trafford closed out the scoring with Whipple's second rushing touchdown of the game from 29 yards away. Miller tacked on the PAT for what would become a 26-10 senior night victory for the homestanding Warriors.

Tasso Whipple finished with 88 yards, which put him over 3000 career yards and into 5th place all-time rushing at Penn-Trafford. Franklin Regional's Kyle Dupill was the game's only rusher over the century mark, finishing with 106 yards gained.

With two conference games remaining for both teams, Penn-Trafford (6-2, 3-1) hits the road for the final two weeks, first to Armstrong and then to Latrobe to close the regular season. Franklin Regional (6-2, 3-1) gets to finish their season with a pair of home games, first against conference leader Woodland Hills, then closing out against Armstrong.

Follow this link for a gallery of over 200 action photos from this game, available for viewing or purchase.

Keywords: football, franklin regional, high school, penn trafford, westmoreland county