DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
Adams County is well known for its connection to tearjerking sports stories. The moments at the start of Friday’s championship game in Berne would have made David Anspaugh proud.
Still trying to come to terms with the loss of a teammate for the second time, the South Adams Starfires honored late teammates Dallas Raugh and Gabe Steiner with a memorable victory and a trophy, beating Fremont, 42-15.
After an emotional address from PA man Seth Sprunger, the community rallied around the team in support. What happened next will be remembered for a long time.
Will Patterson fielded the ball at his own 15 and honored Dallas and Gabe with a spine-tingling return touchdown, 85 yards to the house, to give everyone on hand a reason to tear up.
While the Eagles answered with a touchdown on their first possession, the South Adams defense was able to lock in and shut out the visitors the rest of the way until the running clock was triggered.
Dealing not only with the emotional loss of Gabe Steiner this week, the defense also had to deal with the loss on a practical level, with Steiner the second-leading tackler on the team this year besides Wes Summersett.
All in all, it was an unbelievable performance for a unit that could have been excused for being unable to muster up the mood required to compete at such a level.
Kannen Schwartz played a big role with that defense, which allowed just 222 yards of offense to Fremont. Schwartz led the team with five solo tackles, a number matched by Gavin Herring, Blake Hoffman and Wes Summersett.
Summersett also had an interception on the defensive side of the ball, while catching four catches, one for a score, for a 43 yards.
Along with the 85-yard return TD, Will Patterson had 115 yards rushing and an additional score.
Colton Sprunger caught five balls from Zaden Baumer for 62 yards.
Baumer finished the night 13 of 21 for 147 yards and the touchdown toss to Summersett.
The Starfires will host #2 Pioneer in the regional next Friday.
SCORING SUMMARY
Quarter One
11:45 – SA – Will Patterson 85-yard kickoff return, Branson Rigby PAT good, 7-0
8:10 – F – Jaret Laughlin 8-yard run, Wyatt Kinsey PAT good, 7-7
Quarter Two
10:32 – SA – Wes Summersett 7-yard run, Rigby PAT good, 14-7
4:56 – SA – Will Patterson 15-yard run, Rigby PAT good, 21-7
:45 – SA – Wes Summersett 19-yd catch from Zaden Baumer, Rigby PAT good, 28-7
Quarter Three
8:34 – SA – Zaden Baumer 1-yard run, Rigby PAT good, 35-7
2:43 – SA – Zaden Baumer 11-yard run, Rigby PAT good, 42-7
Quarter Four
7:40 – F – Jaret Laughlin 49-yard catch from Alex King, Laughlin PAT pass to Taylor Rodriguez good, 42-15
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