Bucktail downs West Branch 28-27

PublisherSeptember 1, 2023Last Updated: September 2, 2023

4 minutes read

By Bees O’Brien

FARWELL, PA- Brody Pentz may have made his biggest defensive play of his high school career on Friday. His heavy hit on West Branch’s star quarterback Tyler Biggans at the one-and-a-half-yard line, on what would have given the visiting Warriors the comeback win on a two-point conversion would seal a hard fought victory for West Branch. Pentz’s stop electrified the crowd at Dwyer Memorial Field as Bucktail would hold on to triumph 28-27 over the heavily favored Warriors.

Biggans lived up to his hype however. The West Branch all-state quarterback from a season ago was absolutely everything for his team. Biggans let it be known early that he had come to play on a 39-yard touchdown run and an Emma Bucha extra point had the Warriors up 7-0 following their opening drive.

Bucktail would respond behind a 42-yard run from Brett Mason that would eventually lead to a 4-yard score from Tanner Pettingill. Bucktail’s pass attempt failed and the Bucks still trailed 7-6 as the first quarter drew to a close.

The hometown Bucks would set the tempo in the second quarter behind Pentz. Pentz would cap off a huge Bucktail drive with an 8-yard scoring strike to Braylon Fantaski. Tanner Pettingill’s two-point conversion had Bucktail surprising the visiting Warriors by a 14-7 count.

West Branch continued to give Bucktail a heavy dose of Biggans, but the Bucks’ defense would respond in the second quarter. Led by huge stops from Daniel Gavlock, Talan Ditty, Pettingill, Pentz and Johnny Green they were able to keep Biggans contained, which led to the Bucks forcing a turnover on downs.

The Bucks were faced with a fourth down and long situation when Pentz would connect with Fantaski’s outstretched arms on a 70-yard scoring strike to give the Bucks a 22-7 lead following another Pettingill conversion.

The Warriors could have easily folded, but Biggans and company had other plans. Biggans would do the bulk of the running on West Branch’s drive to close out the half. West Branch would then surprise the Bucks with an inside handoff to Azadio Vargas. Vargas would scamper 13 yards out for the score to shrink Bucktail’s lead to 22-14 following another Bucha PAT as the half drew to a close.

The scoreboard and clock were not functional for the contest, so at times it made it difficult for the coaching staffs, fans and especially the players on both sides to figure out how much time was remaining.

The third quarter would see neither team find the end zone, but the fourth quarter would provide plenty of fireworks.

Bucktail’s Pentz would lead an early fourth quarter scoring drive that was capped on Pentz calling his own number from 6 yards out. The run attempt failed, but the Bucks held what appeared to be a commanding 28-14 lead.

Back came the Warriors behind the arm of Biggans. West Branch began to find success against the Bucktail secondary, which led to Biggans connecting with Easton Emigh on a 44-yard scoring strike. Another Emma Bucha PAT had West Branch’s deficit down to just seven points at 28-21.

Biggans would once again find Emigh on a 70-yard bomb to beat the Bucktail secondary on a score to set up the drama in Farwell.

West Branch head coach Michael Nines elected to go for two points and the win rather than allow Bucha to send the game into overtime, a surprising move considering she was a perfect 3 for 3 on attempts on the night. His gamble failed on the Pentz stop however.

Pentz had an incredible overall game on both sides of the ball. He led the Bucktail ground attack with 93 yards on 11 carries and a score. He also went 2 for 2 on pass attempts for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both to Fantaski.

Biggans finished a solid night for the Warriors with 124 yards on 16 carries and a score. He also tossed for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

West Branch was a preseason favorite to compete for the District 6 1A title, but two straight losses to start the season has the Warriors spiraling. They will try to get back on track on Thursday night against Claysburg-Kimmel.

Bucktail is off to a streaking 2-0 start, equaling their win total from 2022 and are the surprise team in District IV 1A currently, as they lead the latest standings within the district. They will step back in D9 League Region 3 play at home on Friday against a winless Elk County Catholic. Kickoff is set for 7p. m.

West Branch 7 7 0 13 = 27

Bucktail 6 16 0 6 = 28

WB- Biggans 39 run (Bucha kick)

B-Pettingill 4 run (pass failed)

B-Pentz 8 pass to Fantaski (Pettingill run)

WB- Vargas 13 run (Bucha kick)

B- Pentz 6 run (run failed)

WB- Biggans 44 pass to Emigh (Bucha kick)

WB- Biggans 70 pass to Emigh (run failed)

Rushing

West Branch- Biggans 16-124 TD, Vargas 7-26 TD, Schwiderske 3-12, Kephart 3-9, TOTALS- 29-171 2TD

Bucktail- Pentz 11-93 TD, Pettingill 17-58 TD, Fantaski 8-21, Mason 2-43, TOTALS 38-215 2 TD