Vulcans dispatch Edinboro to earn 1st PSAC victory
California built up an 18-point halftime lead and hung on for a 30-20 victory over Edinboro on Saturday in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play at Adamson Stadium in California.
Several local players helped the Vulcans (3-3, 1-2 PSAC) earn their first conference win, as Laurel Highlands graduate Harry Radcliffe was 3 for 3 on field-goal attempts and made all three of his extra-point attempts.
Fellow LH grad Keondre DeShields caught two passes for 19 yards.
Jefferson-Morgan graduate Deakyn DeHoet demonstrated the speed that earned him state titles in the 100 and 200-meter dashes in Class 2A this past spring in returning four kickoffs for 83 yards with a long of 29. DeHoet returned two punts for 40 yards and a long of 22.
California forced the Fighting Scots into a three-and-out on their first two drives, and also scored two touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead with 5:28 remaining in the first quarter.
Eric Gibson Jr. threw his first of three touchdown passes when he connected with Lloyd Penn on a 15-yard score and a 7-0 advantage after Radcliffe’s PAT. Gibson found Kenny Lewis IV for a 16-yard trip to the end zone to cap a five-play, 60-yard drive.
Edinboro (2-4, 0-3 PSAC) cracked the scoreboard with 11:33 left in the second quarter on Antwan Ceasar’s three-yard run to cut the deficit to 14-6.
Radcliffe kicked a 37-yard field goal for a 17-6 lead before Amire Spencer pulled in a seven-yard touchdown reception from Gibson for a 24-6 halftime advantage after Radcliffe’s kick.
The Fighting Scots pulled within four in the third quarter on Ceasar’s four-yard run and Jeremiah Neeley caught a 13-yard pass from Nico Marchitelli and took it into the end zone. Tanner Bruzda made both extra points.
Radcliffe made a 27-yard field goal with 3:42 remaining in the third period and a 36 yarder with 1:32 left in the game.
Gibson was 32 of 45 for 316 yards. He completed an 81-yard pass to Jay Pearson, who led the Vulcans in receiving with four catches for 93 yards. Penn caught seven passes for 79 yards. Lewis (4 receptions) and Spencer (7 receptions) had 45 yards apiece.
Pearson led his team in rushing with 43 yards on eight carries.
Marchitelli was 16 of 34 for 144 yards. Neeley pulled in five receptions for 61 yards.
Wilfredo Diaz led the Vulcans defense in tackles with 14 (6 solo, 8 assisted).
Ruben Gordon Jr. had an interception for California with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter to stop a Fighting Scots drive at the home team’s 12-yard line.