Jersey Shore Bulldogs Stage Thrilling Comeback to Defeat Dallas Mountaineers, 28-21

The last time the two teams met was in the 2019 playoffs and the Mountaineers won convincingly 56-28.

Last year, Dallas went 15-1 and advanced to the state 4 A finals losing to Aliquippa 60-14, while Jersey Shore went 10-1-1 and lost in the District IV finals to Selinsgrove.

Shore’s schedule this year is daunting with five new opponents, all from Class 4, 5, or 6 A in size and tonight’s opponent in Dallas leads that new lineup.

After a Jersey Shore punt on its first offensive series of the game, Dallas made quick work on its first drive and took an early lead on a 23 yard pass play from QB Brady Zapoticy to Gavin Lewis on a WR screen (PAT good) and the Mountaineers led 7-0 (9:59 first quarter).

The defenses settled in for the remainder of the first and beginning of the second quarters until Jersey Shore used a WR pass from Carson Watkins to Luke Ryan to eventually set up a 4th and 15, where Elijah Jordan found Evan Snyder in the right side of the end zone for the tying TD.  Snyder made a great contested catch against tight defense on the play.

After a great kickoff return for Dallas to the Shore 45 yard line, Dallas retook the lead on the second play of the drive (PAT good; 6:34 second qtr)  and Dallas led 14-7 and took that lead into the half.

The third quarter began like the first half ended with the defenses controlling the pace of the game until Dallas scored on a 36 yard inside screen play at the 3:17 mark to extend its lead to 21-7 (PAT good).  WIth Jersey Shore needing a score to get back into the game, it put together a nice nine play drive capped by a Jordan to Even Snyder 16 yard touchdown pass (Herr PAT) to get the Bulldogs back into the game at the end of the third period at 21-14.

With both teams enduring some leg cramping injuries, Shore continued its comeback and after a Jordan to Luke Ryan pass completion and run to the 1 yard line, Bo Sechrist scored on a 1 yard plunge (Herr PAT) to tie the ball game 21-21 with 9:38 to go.

Dallas’s offense took over and positioned itself for.go ahead field goal attempt (41 yards), but the attempt went just wide left and the Bulldogs took over at their own 20 yard line with 2:33 to go.

Elijah Jordan lead a pressure filled drive including a great run on a scramble to put  the Bulldogs in position to win.  On the next play, Jorday  found Trent Severino for an 11 yard touchdown to take the lead.  The Herr PAT made the score 28-21 Jersey Shore with 43 seconds remaining in the game.

Dallas moved the ball on the final drive into Jersey Shore territory but Luke Ryan sealed the win on the final play of the game and the Bulldogs got a great road win to open the 2024 season.

Dallas drops to 0-1 and will play Wyoming Area next week, while Jersey Shore will play 5A Delaware Valley at home in Thompson Street Stadium with the kickoff time an hour earlier than normal at 6 PM.