Kaylor’s field goals, Craggette’s runs help Southmoreland top Derry Area

By: Paul Brittain
Friday, September 8, 2023 | 11:09 PM

Jake Kaylor kicked field goals of 25 and 32 yards in the final quarter to lead Southmoreland (3-0) to a 24-21 win over Derry Area (1-2) on Friday night.

Kaylor initially missed from 32 yards, but Derry had called timeout before the snap. Instead of “icing” Kaylor, it gave him a second chance to clinch the win. But victory wasn’t assured until Wyatt Richter intercepted his second pass of the game with 49 seconds left to secure the win.

Southmoreland seemed on the way to an easy win after Da’sjon Craggette broke several tackles and rambled 59 yards to the end zone on the first play of the Scotties’ first possession.

But bad conversion snaps plagued the Scotties all night, and it remained 6-0.

Southmoreland scored again in just four plays after stopping a Derry drive at the Scotties 43-yard line.

Richter outwrestled a Derry defender for a 33-yard completion at the Trojans’ 26. Then Ty Keffer connected with Kadin Keefer on a touchdown pass on the next play for a 12-0 lead as the quarter expired.

Derry cut the lead to 12-7 on a 90-yard drive with 2 minutes, 20 seconds left in the half.

Ahmed Ward led the way with five carries and the final 5 yards to score with 8.7 left in the half.

Jeremiah Green’s conversion kick cut the lead to 12-7 at halftime.

Ward had outgained Craggette 114 yards to 51 yards in the half.

An interception by Derry’s Nathan Barclay at the Scotties 10 set up the Trojans’ first lead when they scored two plays later on Ward’s carry from the 1. Green’s kick made it 14-12.

Southmoreland answered when Craggette broke free up the middle for a 53-yard touchdown run to give the Scotties an 18-14 lead.

Derry responded with a 70-yard drive capped by Damauri Robinson’s reverse run for a 21-18 Trojans lead.

But the Southmoreland defense was at its best in the fourth quarter, starting with Richter’s 51-yard interception return to the Derry 18.

The Trojans held at the 7-yard line, and Kaylor’s first field goal tied the score at 21-21.

Derry drove to the Scotties 12, where Ethan Shawley and Keffer stopped Ward on fourth down.

The Scotties drove to the Derry 17, but a Craggette touchdown run was negated by a penalty.

Four plays later, Kaylor kicked the winning field goal.

Derry drove to the Trojans 42, but a pass off Ward’s hands was caught by Richter to give Scotties and their fans a sigh of relief.

Southmoreland visits Knoch next Friday in another nonconference game.

Tags: Derry Area, Southmoreland