LEWISTOWN, Pa. – The first full week of competition is in the books for the Central Keystone Youth Football and Cheer League (CKYFCL) as a pair of Midget games were contested on Wednesday evening.
KISH NORTH 24 – BURNHAM 0
REEDSVILLE, Pa. – Julian Altiery scored twice and the defensive unit held strong as the Kish Indians North squad shutout the visiting Burnham Bulldogs by a 24-0 tally on Wednesday evening.
Kish struck first on its opening drive after forcing a turnover on downs. Duke Peachey took the first snap out around the right end for a 30+ yd TD run to put the Indians on the board early in the first quarter of action. Burnham held on the extra point attempt to keep the score 6-0.
Following another strong defensive effort, the Kish offense struck again midway through the second quarter. Kish used a short field to its advantage and struck pay dirt again when Altiery powered the ball across the goalie on a two-yard touchdown run to run the Kish lead to 12-0.
Kish wasn’t finished with the first-half scoring. Following a Colton Baumgardner interception, the Indians quickly got back to work late in the first half. After a long run by Wyatt Hassinger, Altiery was able to sprint to the end zone from 12 yards out to give him his second score of the day and push Kish to an 18-0 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Kish went to the air for its final score of the evening. Baumgardner connected with Kannon Moyer and Moyer was able to find daylight around the left side on his way to the end zone. Burnham again denied the extra point making the score 24-0, which is how the game would end.
Kish-North is back in action on September 3 when it hosts McVeytown in a highly anticipated early-season affair. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m Burnham returns to the gridiron on September 3 when it hosts Kish-South. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
KISH SOUTH 12 – DERRY-DECATUR 7
ALFARATA, Pa. – Knox Wagner rushed for a touchdown and hauled in a receiving touchdown as Kish-South held off a stubborn Derry-Decatur squad and picked up a key early-season road victory by a 12-7 score on Wednesday evening.
Wagner got the scoring started on the evening late in the first quarter. The youngster took a handoff from Easton Trutt and barreled off the right side and scampered 20 yards to the end zone to put Kish – South out in front by a 6-0 score with 3:05 to play in the opening frame.
Both defenses were up to the task in the second quarter, but it was Kish – South owning a slim 6-0 halftime lead.
Out of the intermission, a methodical Kish drive was capped off by Wagner’s second score of the evening. Trutt rolled back in the pocket and found Wagner on a 17 yard pitch-and-catch to push the Indians out in front by a 12-0 tally with 5:04 to play in the third quarter.
With its back against the wall, Derry-Decatur turned to a trick play to get on the board at the end of the third quarter. The Cyclones lined up in punt formation, but Easton Smith had other ideas as the youngster pulled the snap, sprinted off the left edge and jaunted 65 yards to the end zone for Derry-Decatur’s lone score of the evening. Brady Kahley punched in the extra-point attempt to bring the score to a 12-7 margin.
Both teams were held off the scoreboard in the final stanza as Kish-South held on for a 12-7 victory.
Kish was led defensively by the efforts of Gunner Reed. Reed tallied five stops and an interception on the evening. Wagner chipped in five stops, while Trutt added four tackles in the win.
Kish-South is back in action on September 3 when it travels to Burnham. Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. Derry-Decatur returns to action on September 7 when it travels to play Terrace at 3 p.m.
The CKYFCL is a 501c3 registered non-profit organization benefitting the more than 500 children across a four-county area in Central Pennsylvania. In addition to healthy competition, the league aims to provide an equal opportunity for the youth of Central Pennsylvania to learn important skills in teamwork while forming friendships and bonds that can last a lifetime.
Member organizations include:
Burnham Bulldogs
Derry-Decatur Cyclones
Juniata Little Indians
Kish Indians
McVeytown Eagles
Terrace Tigers