ELIZABETH, Pa. – On Saturday night the Elizabeth Forward Warriors defended their perfect 4‑0 record with a hard‑fought 38‑33 win over the newly promoted Waynesburg Central Raiders at Warrior Stadium. The game, a marquee Interstate Conference matchup, showcased explosive offense, dramatic momentum swings, and a final‑minute defensive stand that kept the Warriors atop the league.
Early Lead and Back‑and‑Forth Scoring
Elizabeth Forward opened the scoring with a 52‑yard drive that culminated in a five‑yard touchdown run by Kaden Allen. Luke Holdren’s extra point gave the Warriors a 7‑0 edge just four minutes into the contest. Waynesburg answered on its first possession, marching 80 yards downfield before senior quarterback Teagen Crouse slipped into the end zone for a 1‑yard score, followed by a 67‑yard sprint that set up the touchdown.
The Raiders reclaimed the lead later in the first quarter when Thompson powered through for a 12‑yard rush, putting Waynesburg ahead 13‑7. The back‑and‑forth continued into the second quarter, with Crouse scrambling for a four‑yard touchdown pass to running back Ky‑mani Sumpter, giving Waynesburg a 14‑13 advantage.
Warriors Regain Control
Elizabeth Forward responded quickly. After a missed extra‑point by Waynesburg, Allen broke free for a 41‑yard touchdown run on third‑and‑long, extending the Warriors’ lead to 26‑14 at the 4:49 mark of the third quarter.
Waynesburg’s star running back Sumpter kept the Raiders in the game, ripping off a 28‑yard touchdown run to narrow the gap to 26‑20 early in the fourth quarter. However, a 78‑yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Elizabeth Forward’s Travis Dusi pushed the score back to 32‑20 with 11:30 remaining.
Late‑Game Heroics
Sumpter answered with a spectacular 90‑yard rush that cut the Warriors’ lead to 32‑27 with just over eleven minutes left. Coach Joe Kuhns, who praised Sumpter’s transition from receiver to running back, noted, “He was born to play that position.”
Waynesburg executed an onside kick that Sumpter recovered, giving the Raiders a chance to seize the lead. Crouse capitalized, scrambling for a 10‑yard touchdown that put Waynesburg ahead 33‑32 after a successful two‑point conversion.
Elizabeth Forward answered on the next drive, with Thompson delivering a punishing 21‑yard touchdown run. An attempted two‑point conversion was stopped by Jack Riccuiti, but the Warriors reclaimed the lead at 38‑33 with 3:19 left.
Final Defensive Stand
Waynesburg’s final opportunity came on a fourth‑and‑9 from its own 40‑yard line. Crouse’s pass was caught by Riccuiti, who was forced out of bounds a yard short of the first down marker with under a minute remaining. The Warriors ran out the clock, sealing the victory.
Coach Kuhns summed up the night, “Timing on that whole play was off,” but praised his team’s resilience and the community’s support throughout the battle.
Key Performers
- Ky‑mani Sumpter (Waynesburg) – 244 rushing yards on 25 carries, including a 90‑yard touchdown.
- Rocco Thompson (Elizabeth Forward) – 143 rushing yards on 22 attempts, capped by the game‑winning run.
- Kaden Allen (Elizabeth Forward) – 41‑yard touchdown run and solid quarterback play.
- Teagen Crouse (Waynesburg) – 123 passing yards and a crucial 10‑yard touchdown pass.
The win solidifies Elizabeth Forward’s position as the team to beat in the Interstate Conference, while Waynesburg’s impressive debut in Class 3A signals a bright future for the Raiders.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
