Bucks comeback bid falls short against ECC, 33-24

PublisherOctober 7, 2022Last Updated: October 7, 2022

3 minutes read

By Bees O’Brien

FARWELL, PA- Bucktail had every chance to take down Elk County Catholic at home Friday night. Bucktail forced six Crusader turnovers and out-gained the visitors in total yardage 273-191 and still fell 33-24.

Noah Cherry was once again the driving force behind the ECC offense. Cherry would rack up 106 yards, but his three-touchdown night would be too much for the Bucks.

Cherry would strike first for the Crusaders in the first quarter. He would take advantage of one of Bucktail’s 6 turnovers in the game. He’d find pay dirt from one yard out and he’d connect on the extra point to give Elk County the early 7-0 lead.

The Bucks would cash in on their next series behind the running of Tanner Pettingill and Brody Pentz. Pentz’s 13-yard second quarter touchdown and Pettingill’s successful two-point try would give Bucktail the 8-7 lead and following one of Elk County’s 6 turnovers it looked as though the Bucks were in business.

Another Bucktail fumble would fizzle that drive. Elk County would pin Bucktail deep on a fourth and four situation. ECC would do a quick kick out of their normal offensive formation to pin the Bucks inside their own 10-yard line.

Another Bucktail turnover would set up another touchdown score from Cherry. His 4-yard score followed by his two-point conversion would give ECC the lead for good at 15-7.

Cherry would also drill a 21-yard field goal following a late interception just before the half to extend Elk County’s lead to 18-8 heading into the half.

The Bucks would take their opening series of the second half the distance and milk out nearly eight minutes off the clock. Pentz would score from 1 yard out and Braylon Fantaski’s two-point try got Bucktail to within 18-16.

Pentz’s score was set up by a beautiful 25 yard catch by Brett Mason deep inside the 5-yard line.

Charlie Geci would extend ECC’s lead as the third quarter would draw to a close on a 9-yard touchdown. Another Cherry PAT brought the score to 25-16.

Noah Cherry finally managed to break away in the fourth quarter. The Bucks defense led by Johnny Green and the returning Kyler Friese, mixed with some hard hitting from Brett Mason kept Cherry well below his season average, but all good runners seem to find a way. Cherry would burst for a 35-yard score and a Frankie Smith conversion extended the lead to 33-16.

Back came the Bucks. Bucktail executed a drive midway through the fourth that was sparked by the passing of quarterback Brody Pentz. Pentz would connect with Braylon Fantaski and Gavin Yachymiak on big completions that would eventually lead to a 7-yard scoring strike to Tanner Pettingill. The Pettingill conversion try was good and now Bucktail trailed 33-24.

The Bucks would recover the onside kick attempt to keep their hopes alive, but again a turnover and a penalty would halt their comeback attempt and set the final.

Bucktail fell to 2-4 on the season, as Elk County Catholic improved to 6-1. Bucktail must now regroup and prepare to host Otto-Eldred next Friday. The Terrors upset Region 3 leaders Coudersport 39-18 on Friday night.

Elk County Catholic 7 11 7 8 33

Bucktail 0 8 8 8 24

ECC- Noah Cherry 1 run (Cherry Kick)

B- Pentz 13 run (Pettingill run)

ECC- Cherry 4 run (Cherry kick)

ECC- Cherry 21 yard field Goal

B- Pentz 1 run (Fantaski run)

ECC- Geci 9 run (Cherry kick)

ECC- Cherry 35 run (Smith run)

B- Pentz 7 pass to Pettingill (Pettingill run)

Rushing

BUCKTAIL- Pettingill 21-83, Pentz 8-57 2TD, Fantaski 10-40