Second half saves Falcons
Late rally keeps defending champs alive!

Adam Foust

Following up one ugly half at Kane with another one Saturday night at CARP Field, Coudersport regrouped in the nick of time to salvage its 2007 high school football season.

Trailing Port Allegany 15-0 at the break, the Falcons emerged with ferocious defense and rolled to a 28-15 win.

That keeps two-time defending champion Coudersport alive in the PIAA District 9 Class A playoffs, setting up Friday's rematch at Kane (7 p.m.).

Saturday's clash between two long-time rivals was a hard-hitting, penalty-filled survival match during which emotions ran high. Port Allegany (6-4) was smarting from a 28-7 loss to Coudersport during the regular season and came to CARP with an upset in mind.

Nick Nichols' breakaway run for 80 yards set up Derik Morey's one-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter. Morey also carried for the conversion and an 8-0 lead.

Port Allegany later embarked on a 66-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by freshman quarterback Camrin Stuckey's 33-yard pass to A. J. Guerrero. Stuckey scored on a five-yard keeper and Mark Larson's kick made it 15-0.

Dirk Cowburn was the picture of determination as he plowed through the Port Allegany defense during Saturday's battle at CARP Field. Sophomore lineman Chris Symans (76) is at right. Paul Burdick photo

Halftime statistics showed Coudersport with eight penalties, just three first downs and a pair of devastating high snaps from shotgun formation that killed two drives. The Falcons got an earful during the break from veteran coach Paul Simcoe.

They opened the second half with a 65-yard drive that ended when Dirk Cowburn ran in from four yards out. Brian Wetzel drilled a pass to Colton Corey for the two-point conversion.

Moments later, Brian Smith blocked Stuckey's punt to put the Falcons in business at the Gator 14, but Port Allegany's D once again dug in and stopped the hosts on downs.

Cowburn's 28-yard touchdown run cut the difference to 15-14 late in the third quarter.

Coudersport finally overtook the Gators after recovering a fumble on the Port Allegany four. Corey ran for the touchdown and Wetzel hit Justen Kinder for the conversion, making it 22-15 with 8:15 remaining.

Port Allegany ground into Falcon territory before surrendering the ball on downs.

Corey broke free for a 40- yard run and sealed the victory on a four-yard touchdown run at the 1:04 mark. Corey finished with 127 yards on 21 carries.

"We knew this was going to be a tough game," Simcoe said. "They really pounded us in the first half, but then we made some stops and were able to get some things going on offense."

Senior Adam Foust was an animal on defense, with 12 tackles, five tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Brian Smith added seven tackles .

Penalties were a major factor. Port Allegany was flagged 13 times, five of them major penalties, while Coudersport had nine.