Bulldog defense shines again in ‘Shore win over Vikings
ALLENTOWN, PA – 13 games into the 2021 season, it’s safe to say if you want to beat Jersey Shore, you better have a sizeable lead by halftime. Allentown Central Catholic learned that lesson at their home J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown Friday night. The Vikings took a 7-3 lead after one period and that was the score at halftime. But the home team would score no more as the Bulldogs put up 17 unanswered points in the second half on the way to a 20-7 victory in the opening round of the PIAA Class 4A state playoffs.
The Bulldog defense was again relentless, giving up only a 59-yard Viking touchdown drive that carried over from the first period into the second. Other than that the Allentown offense was kept in check, other than a meaningless long pass late in the game, a drive that ended on downs at the Jersey Shore 45 yard line, the result of the final of three ‘Shore sacks.
In the meantime Jersey Shore mounted enough offense against a large Viking defense to come out on top, riding the hard running of Hayden Packer, 100 yards on 21 carries, and some second half passing success from quarterback Brady Jordan, 7 completions on 20 attempts for 73 yards overall. Cayden Hess led the ‘Dog receivers with 4 catches for 42 yards.
Jersey Shore scored first on its second possession, a drive ending with a 38-yard Breck Miller field goal. The Vikings would answer with their only touchdown drive to take their 7-3 lead.
After stopping the Vikings on their first possession of the second half, Jersey Shore used good field position, starting from the Viking 39 to set up their first touchdown. Jordan scored the touchdown from three yards out and Miller’s extra point made it 10-7, ‘Shore back on top. ACC would fumble the ball away deep in its own territory on its next possession but the Viking defense held inside the five yard line and ‘Shore settled for a Miller 21-yard field goal, making the score 13-7 with 2:16 to go in the third period.
Packer would set up the final ‘Shore score with a 37 yard run to the 1-yard line, the junior then scoring from a yard out and Miller’s conversion made it 20-7. For Packer it was his 19th touchdown this season.
The victory put Jersey Shore at 13-0 and into next weekend’s state quarterfinals. Their opponent will be either District 6 champion Juniata (10-2) or District 10 champ Meadville (8-3). Those teams meet Saturday at 3 p.m. at Meadville. Allentown Central Catholic finished at 9-4.
JS 3 0 10 7 = 20
ACC 7 0 0 0 = 7
