Jordan Bowers goes up for an interception against Northern Lebanon on Friday (photo by Robbie McGrath)
MINERSVILLE — A valiant comeback attempt by Minersville was unsuccessful as they fell to Northern Lebanon on Friday night at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium 25-20.
Both teams were forced to punt on their first possessions.
It took 11 minutes for the first points to be scored as Derenzo ran one yard into the end zone for a Miners score. Jordan Bowers followed with the extra point to make it a 7-0 game.
Less than a minute into the next frame, John Lutsky had the first of two interceptions for the Miners defense. On that drive, they were stopped on fourth and one as Lutsky’s run was not enough to move the chains.
When the Vikings got the ball back, they scored thanks to freshman Markus Miller connecting with Landon Copenhaver for a 29-yard touchdown. Aaron Wanyo’s extra point was good to make the game tied at seven.
Following a Minersville punt, Northern Lebanon was driving downfield when Bowers leaped up and caught the second interception for the Miners, this one in the back of the end zone.
On the first play out of the locker room, Brady Miller started his rushing show by going 75 yards to the house for the Vikings. However, the extra point attempt was blocked by Lutsky to keep the score at 13-7.
Switching to the defense for the Vikings, they blocked a Battlin’ Miners field goal, but nothing good happened from there on the following drive. Northern Lebanon was forced to punt.
Minersville gave the ball back to the Vikings and Ryan broke off for another big run, this one for 77 yards, but the extra point was no good.
Their defense had another clutch moment, corralling Derenzo 18 yards in the backfield for a fourth down sack. Ryan did not stop scoring following that as he took a 28-yard catch to the end zone for his third score of the evening. The two-point pass attempt was no good to keep the score at 25-7.
Following a turnover on downs by the Minersville offense, they recovered a fumble with around six minutes left to kickoff the fourth quarter of fun.
31 seconds after they took possession back, Derenzo found Camden Rogers on a 20-yard pass for his first career touchdown, but the run on the two-point conversion failed.
Bowers recovered his own onside kick immediately following the score to keep the ball with Minersville with around five and a half minutes left in the contest.
With 4:36 remaining on the clock, Derenzo rushed for a 12-yard score and Bowers converted the extra point to make it a 25-20 game.
Northern Lebanon was forced to punt, however the Miners came up empty on fourth and six with around a minute and a half left as Derenzo’s pass was tipped by the Vikings defense and fell incomplete.
Looking ahead to Week Four, the Battlin’ Miners travel to Marian Catholic who fell 12-10 to Tamaqua in a renewed rivalry contest. Northern Lebanon goes to Wyomissing for their contest next week.
Game Summary
Northern Lebanon 25, Minersville 20
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| NL (3-0) | 0 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 25 |
| Min (1-2) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 20 |
Min — Derenzo 1 run (Bowers kick)
NL — Copenhaver 29 pass from Miller (Wanyo kick)
NL — Ryan 75 run (kick failed)
NL — Ryan 77 run (kick failed)
NL — Ryan 28 pass from Miller (2-point conv. failed)
Min — Rogers 20 pass from Derenzo (2-point conv. failed)
Min — Derenzo 12 run (Bowers kick)
Team Statistics
NL-Min
First Downs —- 16 16
Rushes-Yards — 26-289 35-166
Passes —- 10-15-2 10-27-0
Passing Yards —- 143 77
Total Yards —- 432 243
Individual Statistics
RUSHING: Northern Lebanon — Ryan 21-258, Spencer 5-31. Minersville — Derenzo 17-70, Lutsky 15-89, Ballard 2-5, Sims 1-2.
PASSING: Northern Lebanon — Miller 10-15-2, 143. Minersville — Derenzo 10-27-0, 77.
RECEIVING: Northern Lebanon — Ryan 4-53, Copenhaver 3-44, Hilton 1-20, Bush 1-5, Clemmer 1-0. Minersville — Bowers 3-29, Rogers 3-20, Cutler 3-8, Lutsky 1-18.
INTERCEPTIONS: Minersville — Lutsky, Bowers.