Story by Ryan Gerazounis – Beaver County Radio

(Ambridge, Pa.)

On Friday night at Moe Rubenstein Stadium in Ambridge. The Ambridge Bridgers hosted the Blackhawk Cougars in a conference battle in 4A. The Cougars entered the game with a 3-3 (0-1) record. While the Bridgers came to play with a 3-2 (0-1) record. Both teams looking for their first win in the Parkway Conference.

Blackhawk took an early 3-0 lead over Ambridge with strong special teams play. The Cougars blocked the Bridgers first punt of the evening, putting them at the Ambridge 11 yard line. After three plays the Cougars Will Brown kicked a field goal giving them the early lead. On the ensuing drive it was Jayce McCracken that would put Ambridge on top by taking it 57 yards for a maroon and silver touchdown run making the score 7-3. On Blackhawk’s next drive it was the Bridgers special teams turn to put points on the scoreboard. Senior Keon Lee took the Cougars punt and returned it 70 yards for the score. Giving Ambridge a 14-3 advantage. Blackhawk would reduce the lead at the end of the first quarter when Brayden McCarthy found pay dirt of 64 yards on a screen play making it 14-9 after one.

In second quarter it was Jayce McCracken again, this time on a 15 yard run. Scoring another touchdown for Ambridge and putting them up by a score of 21-9. Taking to the air the Cougars looking for a way to keep the game from getting out of hand. Quarterback Stephen Knallay finds Tyler Heckathorn for a 15 yard touchdown pass play. Failing to convert the point after for the second time of the evening, the score was 21-15. That was the score after one half of play.

In the third quarter Blackhawk went back to what worked for them in the first half. Stephen Knallay found Tyler Heckathorn on a 5 yard touchdown pass putting the Cougars back on top 22-21. That was the score heading into the last quarter after both teams struggled to move the ball in the third quarter. Attempting to take the lead back in the 4th quarter Ambridge tried for a field goal of 27 yards but the kick was no good. With the narrow lead Stephen Knallay went back to the air connecting with Conner McGraw on a 45 yard touchdown pass. On his fourth touchdown pass of the game, the Cougars went up 29-21. That would be the final score after Ambridge turned the ball over on downs as time ran out on this 4A showdown.

The Blackhawk Cougars improved to 4-3 (1-1). They will host Aliquippa next Friday at 7pm. While the Ambridge Bridgers fall to a 3-3 (0-2) record and will host Montour Friday night at 7pm.