ELIZABETHVILLE — Homecoming came early this season for Upper Dauphin.
With only four home games on their schedule, the Trojans will not play at home again until late October, so it was imperative for Upper Dauphin to get its first win of the season Friday.
The Trojans came though with a 28-27 Tri-Valley League victory over Halifax after Upper Dauphin’s defense held off a late rally by the Wildcats that ended with a missed field goal by Alex Berzowski with 23 seconds left to preserve the win.
The Trojans (1-2, 1-1 TVL) got started when Mason Wiest returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
Upper Dauphin quarterback Aaron Cleveland had a good game, running for touchdowns of 19 and 1 yard and throwing a 44-yard scoring pass to Colton Laudenslager.
Upper Dauphin did all of its scoring in the first half to take a 28-13 lead at halftime. But its defense allowed two third quarter scores by Halifax (1-2, 0-1) to cut the lead to 28-27.
The Wildcats did not get any closer as the Trojans stopped two late drives, with one coming in an interception by Wiest. The defense also produced a score in the second quarter when Halifax quarterback Mason Erdman was sacked in the end zone for a safety to give the Trojans the lead for good at 15-13.
Upper Dauphin frustrated Erdman for most of the game by sacking him five times for 44 yards.
Game Summary
Halifax (1-2, 0-1) 13 0 14 0 — 27
Up. Dauph. (1-2, 1-1) 13 15 0 0 — 28
UD — M. Wiest 95 kickoff return (kick failed)
Hal — Zerby 14 pass from Erdman (pass failed)
UD — Cleveland 19 run (Uhler kick)
Hal — Paul 5 run (Berzowski kick)
UD — Safety, Erdman sacked in end zone
UD — Laudenslager 44 pass from Cleveland (Uhler kick)
UD — Cleveland 1 run (kick failed)
Hal — Zerby 83 pass from Erdman (Berzowski kick)
Hal — Paul 9 run (Berzowski kick)
Hal UDA
First Downs 15 7
Rushes-Yards 40-133 32-110
Passes 12-28-1 7-13-0
Passing Yards 226 107
Total Yards 358 217
Fumbles-Lost 4-0 2-2
Penalties 11-77 6-50
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Halifax — Paul 8-71, Zerby 4-50, Johnson 17-41, Berzowski 3-11, Young 1-2, Wylbert 2-2, Erdman 5-(-44). Upper Dauphin — Cleveland 19-61, M. Wiest 10-38, T. Wiest 1-7, Lenker 1-4, Laudenslager 1-0.
PASSING: Halifax — Erdman 12-28-1, 226. Upper Dauphin — Cleveland 7-13-0, 107.
RECEIVING: Halifax — Zerby 5-127, Grosser 2-30, Berzowski 1-22, Hoon 1-22, Paul 1-18, Johnson 1-7. Upper Dauphin — T. Wiest 1-39, Laudenslager 2-54, Gelnett 1-6, M. Wiest 1-6, Snyder 2-2.
INTERCEPTIONS: Upper Dauphin — M. Wiest.