Burgettstown Plays 'Lights Out' And Defeats The Lancers, 54-14

Deer Lakes took to the road to Burgettstown to square off in this less common Saturday afternoon game.  This non-conference game was moved into daylight hours after the field lighting at Hill Memorial Stadium was pronounced unsafe and removed from use at the field.  The change did not affect the Burgettstown Blue Devils, who undeniably played 'lights out' on both offense and defense against the Lancers, who struggled against this more dominating team.  Multiple turnovers by the Lancers, as well as injuries hampered any attempt by Deer Lakes to make the game close.

The Lancers got off to a bad start right out of the gate.  After receiving the opening kickoff, Deer Lakes fumbled on their second play from scrimmage at their own 25-line.  Three plays later, Burgettstown rang up points with a touchdown and point after.  Lancers' Matt Schultz (30) received the subsequent kickoff and returned it to our own 39-yard line.  After several short plays, Zach Burke (1) was called in to punt, giving the Blue Devils the ball back on their 33-yard line.  Burgettstown's first running play in return broke through Deer Lake's defensive line and resulted in a 67-yard touchdown run.  Burgettstown's point after attempt was wide right, giving the Blue Devils at 14-0 lead with 6:39 remaining in the first quarter.  With Deer Lakes down early in the quarter, the Lancers were trying to regroup.  After receiving the Blue Devil's kickoff and gaining positive yardage with a carry by Cody Keenan (7) and a keeper by quarterback Josh Plocki (13), the Lancers fumble on their own 33-yard line.  Burgettstown cashed in again on the recovery and ran the ball into the end zone two plays later.  The Lancers offense could not formulate a counter strike nor could the defense stop the Blue Devil's ground game.  The Lancers gave up two more touchdowns in the first quarter, one after a 59-yard touchdown run by Burgettstown and the other to an interception in Lancers' territory.  Burgettstown lead 34-0 after the first quarter.

The Lancers also had their hands full in the second quarter.  After punting on a fourth-and-10, the Blue Devils drove into Deer Lakes territory.  Despite having their progress hampered by a key tackle by Mike Porter (58), Burgettstown drove the ball in for another score with 3:45 remaining in the half.  A missed extra point had the Blue Devils up 40-0.  Deer Lakes got their first score of the game when Cody Keenan (7) took the snap from Josh Plocki (13), found an opening in the line and ran for a 72-yard Lancers touchdown.  Kicker Ryan McGrath (10) added the extra point with 2:38 on the clock.  The Blue Devils retaliated once again with a long run, followed by a touchdown just before the half.  Burgettstown lead 47-7 at halftime.

The third quarter had quarterback Zach Bryner (5) taking the snap.  Burgettstown held back any offense movement by the Lancers.  Deer Lakes also kept the Blue Devils from scoring.  Notable play turned in by Taylor Clair (25), who stepped up on the punt return special team, as well as TJ Trocki (26) who showed good running and defensive skills.  The third quarter ended with the score unchanged with the Blue Devils up 47-7.

Deer Lakes pulled off a fake punt early in the fourth quarter when kicker Zach Burke (1) received, ran, then gained a first down at Deer Lake's 30-yard line.  A few plays later, Burgettstown picked-6 an attempted pass at the Deer Lakes' 44-yard line, taking the lead to 54-7 with 8:00 to go in the game.  Lancer's quarterback Josh Sutter (15) took over mid-way through the fourth and connected with Tyler Seitz (4) on a 7-yard pass, then handed off to Matt Schultz (30) who rung up a 50-yard touchdown run with 5:29 on the clock.  The subsequent on-side kick by Deer Lakes was recovered by Burgettstown.  The game clock wound down to the end of the game, with Burgettstown dominating the Lancers 54-14.