Last Second Field Goal lifts Peters Township into Class 5A Semifinals
In a game filled with touchdowns, it was senior Brian Bruzdewicz’s field goal with three seconds left that was the most important points on the night, lifting No. 3 Peters Township to a 38-35 win against No. 6 Penn-Trafford at West Mifflin High School in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Friday night.
The Indians advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1976.
It was a back-and-forth battle the entire night with both teams scoring three touchdowns each in the first quarter. Peters Township jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a 6-yard pass from sophomore Logan Pfeuffer to classmate Corban Hondru.
Penn-Trafford responded right away with a 58-yard run by junior Caleb Lisbon.
The chunk yardage continued, this time for Peters Township. Pfeuffer threw his second touchdown of the quarter, a 71-yard strike to junior Josh Casilli.
The Warriors once again responded with a 2-yard touchdown run by junior Gabe Dunlap.
The tie didn’t last long. Junior Aidan McCall returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards to push the Indians back in front, 21-14.
Less than a minute later, Penn-Trafford used some trickery to tie the game back up. Dunlap delivered a five yard pass to junior Noah Allen who delivered a hook-and-ladder to Lisbon for 63 yards.
The defense picked up a little bit, with both teams holding the other to a touchdown in the second quarter. Pfeuffer threw his third touchdown pass of the half, a 10-yard completion to senior Gabe Maloni.
Lisbon and Dunlap combined to lead Penn-Trafford again before the half on a 74-yard pass to bring it to 28-28 at the half.
Both teams got a rushing touchdown in the third quarter, first from Peters Township. Junior Ryan Magiske rushed in from 34 yards, followed by a 43-yard run by Dunlap for the Warriors. That score set up Bruzdewicz’s heroics, which were the only points of the fourth quarter.
For Peters Township, Pfeuffer finished 11 of 21 for 127 yards and three touchdowns.
The win improves the Indians to 10-2 and advances them to the Class 5A semifinal against No. 2 Penn Hills at a site and time to be determined.