ST. MARYS – The schedule got a whole tougher over the weekend for the Allegheny Mountain League South Division as inter-division league play began.
One of the biggest games scheduled was Curwensville at Elk County Catholic (ECC) Saturday afternoon as both teams came in unbeaten at 4-0.
In the end, the Crusaders came away with a hard fought 12-8 win that went down to the final seconds.
The first half ended with neither team able to put points on the board and neither mount much of an offensive drive as steady rain fell throughout the first 12 minutes, perhaps stalling both offenses.
Curwensville received the second half kick-off and after its drive failed Elk County Catholic would find the Tide end zone on a 69 yard run by Jared Braun with 8:57 to go in the third quarter. The two point conversion attempt failed, but the Crusaders had the lead, 6-0.
The Golden Tide answered right back with the most impressive drive of the day.
Using up the final 8:52 of the third quarter Curwensville marched down the field, mostly with short yardage power runs.
Tide sophomore Nick Stewart finished the drive with a nine yard touchdown run as the clock expired to end the third frame. Stewart’s successful two point conversion run gave Curwensville an 8-6 margin heading into the final 12 minutes. Stewart ended the day with 102 yards on 33 carries.
Both teams battled back and forth for the first half of the fourth quarter before the Crusaders put together the game winning drive that started with approximately six minutes left in regulation.
Quarterback Nate Dacanal scored the winning touchdown for ECC on a one yard run with approximately 22 seconds remaining in a game that had a few controversial calls on that final Elk County Catholic drive.
A roughing the passer penalty helped keep the ECC final drive alive. A call that could have easily been a non-call.
There was also an incomplete pass on what could have been ruled a fumble recovery by Curwensville.
The contest ended with the final 1:25 not being able to track as the scoreboard went blank. Tracking the final seconds was a challenge, especially for the Tide, when it had just 22 seconds to try to pick up a winning score when it actually seemed like there should have been more time.
Elk County Catholic had three turnovers while the Tide had two on the day.
The Crusaders play Ridgway Friday on the Elkers home turf. Ridgway is 3-2 on the season.
The Golden Tide return home to Riverside Stadium on Friday after two weeks on the road to battle Redbank Valley in a non-conference hook-up with kick-off set for 7 pm. The Bulldogs are 4-1 after winning Friday night over Union, 49-22. Redbank Valley plays in the KSAC Small School League and is currently tied for first place with Clarion.
Listen to the Curwensville game with Redbank Valley Friday night on WOKW-FM, 102.9, with the pre-game show beginning at 6:45 pm.
SCORING SUMMARY
CURWENSVILLE 0 0 8 0 8
ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC 0 0 6 6 12
3rd QUARTER
ECC 8:57 69 yard run by Jared Braun 0 6
Try for two point conversion failed
CURW 0:00 9 yard run by Nick Stewart
Stewart two point conversion run 8 6
4th QUARTER
ECC 0:22 – 1 yard run by Nate Dacanal
Try for two point conversion failed
Golden Tide Scoreboard:
| Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 09/04 | PORT ALLEGANY | 55 – 22 | 1 – 0 |
| 09/11 | @ Otto-Eldred | 58 – 20 | 2 – 0 |
| 09/18 | COUDERSPORT | 35 – 0 | 3 – 0 |
| 09/25 | @ Cameron County | 50 – 28 | 4 – 0 |
| 10/03 | @ Elk County Catholic | 8 – 12 | 4 – 1 |
| 10/09 | REDBANK VALLEY | ||
| 10/16 | @ Kane | ||
| 10/23 | BROCKWAY | ||
| 10/30 | @ Ridgway |