Eastern York dials up defense to send York County Tech packing

The Eastern York defense didn't get many favors from its offense or special teams on Friday night.

But, the same unit that allowed just 104 yards in the Golden Knights' opening week victory against Columbia bailed the team out against York County Tech.

The Golden Knights defense recorded a fumble recovery, an interception and forced a Spartans turnover on downs in the final minute of action to propel Eastern to a 19-12 victory.

"Our defense played great," Eastern head coach Dave Kemmick said of the unit that allowed just 181 yards. "They didnt make any mistakes and York Tech scored two touchdowns on maybe 30 yards. That just cant happen."

Tech (1-1) crept back into the game following Eastern's punting miscue late in the fourth quarter.

Facing a fourth-and-5 from their own 23-yard line, the snap to punter Jayshim Snyder was over his head and landed in the end zone. Snyder picked up the ball and ran with it, getting out to the 3-yard line.

"I was screaming to kick the ball out of the back of the end zone," Kemmick said. "You never give them the ball on the one, you give them the two points. We have to be smarter than that."

Brandon Montouth scored from a yard out and after a failed 2-point conversion, the Spartans were down seven points.

York Tech then proceeded to recover the onside kick with 1:26 to play.

But, the drive would go nowhere thanks to a sack by Eastern's Victor Velez and Wyatt Smith on third down. On fourth and 15, Damarius Wiggins ran a keeper, but was well short of the first down, thus ending the Spartans comeback attempt.

Tech scored its other touchdown following another Eastern punting miscue put the Spartans in business at the Golden Knights 21-yard line. Six plays later the Spartans scored via Montouth's six yard scamper with 4:00 to play in the second quarter.

Eastern (2-0) scored on its first two possessions of the game as Logan Kline scored on runs of two and 15 yards. But, the home team wouldn't find the end zone again until Sam Pollock's 15-yard fourth quarter touchdown run.

"I think we just stalled. I think the kids just took the foot off the gas," Kemmick said.

Eastern was led by Kline's 85 yards on the ground, but the Golden Knights will be without Keegan Corwell for the rest of the season. The standout junior running back was hurt in the Eastern opener after rushing for 147 yards.

Corwell tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus.

"He has to have a full restructure. It's a six to nine month recovery," Kemmick said.

York County Tech0606—12Eastern York13006—19

First Quarter

EY — Logan Kline 2-rush (Isaiah King), 7:46.

EY — Kline 15-rush (kick failed), 2:57.

Second Quarter

YCT — Brandon Montouth 6-rush (kick failed), 4:00.

Fourth Quarter

EY — Sam Pollock 15-rush (kick failed), 5:23

YCT — Montouth 1-rush (pass failed), 1:29.

YCTEYFirst downs610Rushes-yards41-16947-173Passing1-5-11-8-0Passing yards1224Total yards181197Punts3-20.03-17.7Fumbles-lost1-11-0Penalties-yards7-555-50

Individual statistics

Rushing — YT, Brandon Montouth 11-74, Matthew Rossi 14-47, Kahleik Savery 14-39, Damarius Wiggins 2-9. EY, Logan Kline 19-85, Sam Pollock 7-35, Brennen Shenk 9-55, Derek Zurin 1-2, Jimmy Kurnik 1-2, Ryan Kalke 8-14, Seth Bernstein 1-0, Jayshim Snyder 1-(-20).

Passing — YT, Savery 1-5-1. EY, Kalke 1-8-0.

Receiving — YT, Isaiah Colon 1-12. EY, Zurin 1-24.