Penn-Trafford pulls away late to defeat Norwin behind freshman RB’s 4 TDs
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Friday, September 29, 2023 | 11:10 PM
Penn-Trafford’s Ben Grabowski takes off on a first-quarter touchdown run against Norwin on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Norwin High School.
Penn-Trafford’s Tyler Boss pulls in a second-quarter interception against Norwin on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Jackson Huss dives into the end zone past Penn-Trafford’s Jessie Lisbon in the first quarter Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Norwin High School.
Penn-Trafford’s Carmen Metcalfe pulls in a touchdown pass past Norwin’s Michael Crnkovic in the second quarter Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Norwin High School.
Penn-Trafford’s Ben Grabowski beats Norwin’s Luke Denny for a fourth-quarter touchdown Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Jackson Pons pulls in a second-quarter interception against Penn-Trafford on Friday.
Penn-Trafford’s Ben Grabowski beats Norwin’s Jackson Pons to the end zone for a first-quarter touchdown Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Norwin High School.
Penn-Trafford’s Tasso Whipple steps out of the tackle attempt by Norwin’s Michael Crnkovic on the way to a third-quarter touchdown Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Jackson Pons pulls in a touchdown pass past Penn-Trafford’s Jessie Lisbon in the second quarter Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Norwin High School.
There was a fireworks display Friday night in North Huntingdon after the Penn-Trafford and Norwin football game.
But it was nothing like the firepower the football teams displayed at Norwin Stadium.
Penn-Trafford defeated Norwin, 56-28, for a WPIAL Class 5A Big East Conference victory. The teams broke the series record for combined points — the previous mark of 80 points was set in 2018 — and combined for 939 total yards.
Penn-Trafford leads the all-time series 30-8.
Freshman running back Ben Grabowski rushed for a career-high 206 yards and scored four touchdowns, and junior running back Tasso Whipple rushed for 194 yards and two scores for the Warriors.
Grabowski scored three touchdowns on runs of 17, 13 and 69 yards in the fourth quarter to break open a close game. Norwin (1-1, 2-4) had closed the gap to 35-28 late in the third quarter, but the Knights defense couldn’t stop the Warriors.
Penn-Trafford (2-0, 3-3) scored on its first four possessions in the first half to build a 28-14 lead at halftime. It scored on its first four possessions in the second half and never gave up the lead.
“We couldn’t get off the field defensively, and it killed us,” Norwin coach Mike Brown said. “We couldn’t get off the field on third downs, and we were constantly playing catch up.”
Penn-Trafford converted 11 of 12 third downs and rushed for 436 yards. Quarterback Jonny Lovre completed 9 of 14 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
“I was really happy with the way we played,” Penn-Trafford coach John Ruane said. “We tried to be as physical as we could, and we established that early in the game. We broke some big plays, which was critical. They play a lot of man and stacked the box, and once we got a couple creases we hit some home runs.”
Penn-Trafford raced out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Lovre and Jessie Lisbon combined on a 50-yard screen play for a 7-0 lead 1 minute, 16 seconds into the game.
“The screen to Jessie seemed to get us going,” Lovre said. “I’m definitely getting more comfortable. I trust my line to protect me, and if you get the ball near Carmen (Metcalfe), he’s going to catch it.”
Grabowski then scored his first of four touchdowns, a 46-yard jaunt for a 14-0 lead.
But Norwin didn’t quit, and the teams matched each others’ scores the next three quarters.
Jackson Huss scored on a 20-yard run for the Knights to cut the lead to 14-7. Penn-Trafford answered as Metcalfe caught a 35-yard scoring strike from Lovre.
Norwin responded as Jackson Pons caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Tristyn Taveres. But Penn-Trafford answered as Whipple scored on a 3-yard run for a 28-14 lead.
“I was proud of Ben,” Whipple said. “I followed Ben this game. We played with a lot of heart and doing what you’re supposed to do.”
Grabowski added: “The line did a great job creating the holes. They did awesome.”
The scoring continued in the third quarter as Norwin scored twice. Pons caught a 5-yard pass from Taveres, and Taveres scored on a 1-yard run. In between, Whipple raced 67 yards for a score.
“I was really pleased with the play of our offensive line.” Ruane said. “Tasso and Ben were fantastic, but I thought Jonny Lovre had a great game. He ran well in big situations and he really threw the ball well on third down to keep drives alive.”
Grabowski put the game away in the fourth quarter with his three scores.
“We didn’t do a very good job tackling,” Brown said. “We missed too many tackles. We need to match opponents’ physicality.”
Taveres completed 23 of 35 passes for 296 yards and two scores. His main targets were Jake Knight (nine catches for 91 yards) and Pons (four catches for 76 yards).
“He continues to play well,” Brown said of his quarterback. “He keeps plays alive and keeps us in games.”
Both teams have big conference games next week. Penn-Trafford has its annual ‘Battle for the Bell’ against Gateway. That game is in Harrison City. Norwin travels to Franklin Regional.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
Tags: Norwin, Penn-Trafford
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