Just 13 seconds into Friday night’s Mid-Penn Commonwealth opener at Trojan Stadium, Chambersburg’s football squad found itself in a hole.
Central Dauphin East’s Avery Romain had just rumbled 80 yards for a TD on the first play of scrimmage, and it was only the beginning of the storm for the Trojans. Romain blasted off for two more scores and Chambersburg, trailing 21-0 early in the second quarter, was flirting with a blowout loss.
But coach Gary Carter’s Trojans did not fold. Instead, they rallied behind the arm of Ceagan Truett and posted four unanswered TDs to pull off a 26-21 shocker over the Panthers. Thanks to the comeback magic, Chambersburg is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2019.
Plenty of credit should go to the Trojans’ defense, which held CD East scoreless for nearly the final three quarters, as well as Truett, who compiled 237 passing yards and four TDs on 20 of 35 passing. Chambersburg was back into the game by halftime, trailing 21-14, thanks to TD strikes from Truett to Davonte Scott and Isaiah Tasker.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Truett got back to work, finding Cobe Penick for a pair of TDs to give the Trojans the lead, and eventually the win.
It was a hard-fought, turnover-free game for the Trojans, who captured victory despite being outgained in yards, 414-320. Chambersburg’s defense got an interception from Penick, who also led the Trojans in receiving with six catches for 95 yards.
CD East fell to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in the Commonwealth.
Chambersburg (2-0, 1-0 Commonwealth) will have some pep in their step when they travel on Friday to take on defending PIAA Class 5A state champion Bishop McDevitt. The Crusaders (0-2, 0-1) are coming off a 29-21 loss to Harrisburg.
Gettysburg 41, Waynesboro 34
Waynesboro put up some big numbers — and scored the final 18 points — in Friday’s Keystone Division clash at Gettysburg, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 32-7 halftime deficit.
The Tribe (1-1, 0-1 Keystone) got a big night from Rayshawn Frazier-Hewitt, who completed 22 of 33 passes for 185 yards and two TDs. Frazier-Hewitt was just as effective on the ground, where he piled up 105 yards and two TDs on 12 carries.
Larry Taylor was also a dual threat for Waynesboro. He ran seven times for 55 yards and a TD, while also hauling in nine catches for 71 yards and another score. Steven Howard also caught a TD pass for the Tribe.
Waynesboro will try to bounce back on Friday, when it hits the road to take on Shippensburg. The Greyhounds (1-1, 1-0 Keystone) are coming off a 22-19 victory over Hershey.
Susquehanna Township 62, Greencastle-Antim 7
It was a tough day at the office for Greencastle-Antrim, which was handled by Colonial Division favorite Susquehanna Township on Friday.
Tribe QB Torin Evans fueled the fire, completing 14 of 17 passes for 232 yards and four TDs while also accounting for one of ‘Hanna’s five rushing scores.
The Blue Devils were held to 121 yards of total offense, with the bulk of that being provided running backs Blake Reuter, Lars Galinanes, and Luke Hull, who combined for 97 yards on the ground. Iverson Stoner hauled in a TD pass from Lane Barry for Greencastle’s only score of the game.
Defensively, the Blue Devils got eight tackles from Reuter, while Cole Burkholder totaled four tackles and a QB Hurry.
Susquehanna Township improved to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the Keystone.
Greencastle (0-2, 0-1) returns to the gridiron on Friday, when it plays host to Middletown (2-0, 1-0), a squad coming off a 22-7 victory over Milton Hershey.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STANDINGS
Mid-Penn Commonwealth: 1. Chambersburg (2-0 overall, 1-0 division), 1. State College (2-0, 1-0), 1. Cumberland Valley (1-1, 1-0), 1. Cedar Cliff (1-1, 1-0), 1. Harrisburg (2-0, 1-0), 6. Bishop McDevitt (0-2, 0-1), 6. CD East (1-1, 0-1), 6. Altoona (0-2, 0-1), 6. Central Dauphin (0-2, 0-1), 6. Carlisle (0-2, 0-1).
Mid-Penn Keystone: 1. Mifflin County (2-0 overall, 1-0 division), 1. Red Land (2-0, 1-0), 1. Gettysburg (1-1, 1-0), 1. Shippensburg (1-1, 1-0), 1. Mechanicsburg (2-0, 1-0), 6. Palmyra (1-1, 0-1), 6. Waynesboro (1-1, 0-1), 6. Hershey (1-1, 0-1), 6. Lower Dauphin (0-2, 0-1), 6. Northern York (0-2, 0-1).
Mid-Penn Capital: 1. Line Mountain (2-0 overall, 1-0 division), 1. James Buchanan (2-0, 1-0), 1. Steel High (1-0, 1-0), 1. Halifax (1-1, 1-0), 5. Camp Hill (0-2, 0-0), 6. Newport (1-1, 0-1), 6. Juniata (1-1, 0-1), 6. Susquenita (0-2, 0-1), 6. Upper Dauphin (0-2, 0-1).
Mid-Penn Colonial: 1. Susquehanna Township (2-0 overall, 1-0 division), 1. West Perry (2-0, 1-0), 1. Middletown (2-0, 1-0), 1. East Pennsboro (1-1, 1-0), 5. Big Spring (2-0 overall, 0-0 division), 6. Boiling Springs (1-1, 0-1), 6. Greencastle-Antrim (0-2, 0-1), 6. Milton Hershey (0-2, 0-1), 6. Trinity (0-2, 0-1).
Washington County: Boonsboro (0-0), Clear Spring (0-0), Hancock (0-0), North Hagerstown (0-0), Saint James (0-0), Smithsburg (0-0), South Hagerstown (0-0), Williamsport (0-0).
Scores
Friday, Aug. 29
Chambersburg 26, CD East 21
Susquehanna Township 62, Greencastle-Antrim 6
Gettysburg 41, Waynesboro 34
