Cheltenham Wins 56-49 In The Final Seconds over Cocalico

Written by: Bruce Badgley on Saturday, November 30th, 2019. Follow Bruce Badgley on Twitter.

HERSHEY – It was uncharted waters for the Cheltenham Panthers Friday Night. They had never played in Hersheypark Stadium for an opportunity to get to a state championship game. Cheltenham and Cocalico threw haymakers at one another all night long. When it was all said and done, Nate Edwards’ TD with 45 ticks remaining catapulted Cheltenham into the 5A Game 56-49.

Following the game, Cocalico Head Coach Dave Gingrich Shocked many people announcing he was stepping down after 16 years.

The Cheltenham Triplets of quarterback Adonis Hunter, right end TJ Harris and running back Nate Edwards, paced a potent Panthers offensive attack. Cocalico’s Quarterback Noah Palm’s gutsy performance lifted the Eagles all night long.

“There is something special about this group. There is something special about this year,” said Panthers Head Coach Ryan Nase after the win. “ I think we deserve the trip back next week and an opportunity to play Archbishop Wood.”

Cocalico’s opening drive ended with a turnover. Cheltenham quickly took advantage to break out on top 8-0 on a Nate Edwards 50-yard run.

Kamden Wyatt INT for @CheltenhamSD stops @CocalicoSports opening drive Then Nate Edwards goes 50 yards three plays later Panthers 8 Eagles 0 7:40 quarter 1 @EPAFootball @SOLsports @HSFBamerica @END2008 pic.twitter.com/rnEb4cGWDw
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 29, 2019

Cocalico did not waste any time in getting on the board.

Here we go! Ronald Zahm 43 yards for @CocalicoSports @CheltenhamSD up 8-7 7:10 quarter one. Got your track shoes on! @HSFBamerica @EPAFootball @SOLsports @END2008 pic.twitter.com/JyFqcxW3F7
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 29, 2019

Cocalico then moved in front with some goal line trickery.

Goal line double reverse TD for @CocalicoSports ! Ronald Zahm ends up with the score and the Eagles lead @CheltenhamSD 14-8 3:55 quarter one @HSFBamerica @EPAFootball @SOLsports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/JsSeByIlmq
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 29, 2019

Less than a minute later Jamir Barnes put Cheltenham back on top.

Oh my another 50 yard score for @CheltenhamSD This time Jamir Barnes. Panthers up over @CocalicoSports 15-14 3:09 quarter one @SOLsports @HSFBamerica @EPAFootball @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/UMjZ22BpkP
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 29, 2019

Cocalico came right back, led by QB Noah Palm.

@CocalicoSports QB Noah Palm 6 yard TD. XP no good Eagles now lead @CheltenhamSD 20-15 9:50 left until halftime @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @END2008 @SOLsports #pahsfb 5A semifinal pic.twitter.com/W0XvBiBbcs
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 29, 2019

Cheltenham QB Adonis Hunter quickly hit Jamir Barnes on a 69-yard catch and run. It was Cheltenham back up 22-20. With time running down in the half Cheltenham then moved out to a 29-20 lead at the break.

@CheltenhamSD QB Adonis Hunter flips to TJ Harris and the Panthers lead @CocalicoSports 29-20 as we head to halftime #pahsfb 5A semifinal @HSFBamerica @EPAFootball @SOLsports @END2008 @RossTuckerNFL @CaryMoyer @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/Orfge3zKFV
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 30, 2019

Cocalico scored first in the second half to get to within two, 29-27.

After a huge 4th down stop, #22 Steve Flinton goes 22 yards for the @CocalicoSports score! Eagles still trail @CheltenhamSD 29-27 with 7:31 in quarter three #pahsfb 5A semifinal @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @SOLsports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/T4rHfJbC3x
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 30, 2019

TJ Harris’ fine catch and run put Cheltenham back on top.

Are you kidding me TJ Harris? @CheltenhamSD comes right back up 36-27 over @CocalicoSports 6:47 quarter three. I got my track shoes on wow! @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @CaryMoyer @SOLsports #pahsfb pic.twitter.com/w2rJVizsTQ
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 30, 2019

No quit in Cocalico. A bruising drive got the Eagles within one.

Look here! Cody Shay 10 yards for @CocalicoSports ! After a two pointer @CheltenhamSD up 36-35 with 3:53 left in quarter three #pahsfb 5A semifinal @EPAFootball @SOLsports @HSFBamerica @RossTuckerNFL @BurmanDave pic.twitter.com/N4hOyr5FRT
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 30, 2019

The next Eagle possession moved them back on top once again.

4th and goal and @CocalicoSports scores! Cody Shay will not be denied and the Eagles in front of @CheltenhamSD 41-36 with 9:55 remaining #pahsfb 5A semifinal @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @SOLsports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/RoT50vU5n6
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 30, 2019

This wild game turned again on the kickoff. TJ Harris went 88 yards to the house. It was 42-41 Panthers with 9:44 left. And just that quick Noah Palm took it to the house for the Eagles.

Get outta here! @CocalicoSports QB Noah Palm 69 yards two pointer is good! Eagles back up 49-42 over @CheltenhamSD 9:13 left. I can’t take a breath let alone tweet in this one! #pahsfb 5A semifinal @HSFBamerica @EPAFootball @SOLsports @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/ownTp01XML
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 30, 2019

Just that quick again we were tied.

Incredible Nate Edwards around the end 28 yards for @CheltenhamSD tied at 49 with @CocalicoSports 6:43 remaining. #pahdfb 5A semifinal @EPAFootball @SOLsports @HSFBamerica @CaryMoyer pic.twitter.com/lyvs4PWTkX
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 30, 2019

Cheltenham took over for one final drive. The Panthers moved right down the field. Nate Edwards scored to send the Panthers to the 5A title game.

:45 left it’s Nate Edwards for @CheltenhamSD sending the Panthers to the 5A title game 56-49 over @CocalicoSports What a tremendous effort by both squads in the one. OH MY! @HSFBamerica @SOLsports @EPAFootball @CaryMoyer @RossTuckerNFL pic.twitter.com/1HIwkmGoZz
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) November 30, 2019

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