WAYNESBORO – The Lower Dauphin Falcons coasted down the field on an 11-play, 86-yard drive on its first possession against the Waynesboro Indians, and after taking a 7-0 lead at the 4:11 mark of the first quarter, they never really looked back.
The Falcons led 21-3 at halftime and scored three more touchdowns in the second half to secure a 41-17 victory over Waynesboro in a high school varsity football game.
It was Senior Night at Buchanan Automotive Stadium, and 15 seniors on the football roster were recognized for their contributions to the program for the past three or four years. They are
#2 Rayshawn Frazer-Hewitt
#3 Christian Monday
#4 Steven Howard
#8 Shaun Smith
#9 Kean Baumgardner
#12 Ayden Strausbaugh
#15 Austin Willequer
#21 Sam Quesada
#34 Devin Keefer
#56 Carter Long
#62 Riley Muller
#63 Carson Costella
#64 Mick Torbica
#68 Sean Fleagle
#75 Evan Dirr
#84 Ryan Martin
Waynesboro received the opening kickoff but punted after just three plays. Lower Dauphin took over and immediately chewed up 27 yards on a run. Feature back Hunter Strohm took off for 15 yards, and the Falcons continued gaining chunks of yardage until Matteo Cangialosi punctuated the 86-yard drive with a 2-yard run to make it 7-0 after the point after touchdown.
The Tribe turned their next offensive series into three points, moving the ball from their own 31-yard line to the Lower Dauphin 12 before the drive stalled and placekicker Nick Carbaugh, who booted a 43-yard field goal last week, kicked a 30-yarder to make the score 7-3.
The possession was highlighted by a 13-yard pass from Frazer-Hewitt to sophomore Glenn Coppage and a 20-yard completion to sophomore Larry Taylor, which gave Waynesboro a first down at the Falcons 27. Two plays later, Frazer-Hewitt connected with Dwayne Robinson for 11 more yards.
Lower Dauphin responded quickly, marching 65 yards on seven plays and a 1-yard TD run by Strohm. Chase Goddard rambled 49 yards on the first play from scrimmage, pushing the ball to the Tribe 16.
Following a three-and-out by Waynesboro, the Falcons made it 21-3 after another touchdown by Strohm, this one an 11-yarder to end a 40-yard drive with 4:14 left in the second quarter.
It was Groundhog Day for the Indians to start the second quarter, as Lower Dauphin took the kickoff and went 57 yards on just four plays to make the score 28-3.
Waynesboro came right back to score a touchdown of its own. Frazer-Hewitt found his top receiver, Munday, open for a 47-yard gain, which moved the pigskin from the Indians’ 24 to the Falcons’ 29. Three plays later, Frazer-Hewitt again tossed the ball to Munday, this time for 28 yards. Carbaugh’s extra point made it 28-10.
But Lower Dauphin’s offense couldn’t be stopped, and the Falcons put two more touchdowns on the board to take a 41-10 lead with 3:57 remaining in the game.
Waynesboro ended the game with its second touchdown. It took nine plays and covered 67 yards. Williquer lofted a 20-yard touchdown pass to freshman Bryghton Irish for the score with six seconds left.
The loss dropped the Indians to 2-7 on the season, and there is just one game left, a trip to Hershey on Friday, October 24. Game time is 7 p.m.
Photos by Toya McCleary:
