Lackawanna Trail used time-consuming drives in the first half and a quick strike in the second half to turn back visiting Dunmore, 21-7, Friday night in a non-league game between Lackawanna Football Conference teams.
Barring upsets, the teams will meet again in four weeks on the same field for the District 2 Class 2A championship.
Dunmore opened the second half with its only score, a 2-yard run by Thomas Bowen that the quarterback set up with a 35-yard pass to Nico Ruggiero on fourth down from the Lackawanna Trail 40.
Kody Cresswell quickly restored Lackawanna Trail’s two-touchdown lead.
Cresswell, a big factor in the running game that controlled the first half, took the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown and the game’s final points.
The Lions (6-1) opened the game with a 72-yard drive that took 6:12 off the clock.
Hunter Patterson went off left tackle on third-and-goal from the 1 and Xander Ball added the first of his three extra-point kicks for a 7-0 lead.
Dunmore moved into Lackawanna Trail territory, but a strong surge by the Lions defensive front stuffed a fourth-and-one play for a loss.
Lackawanna Trail drove again, possessing the ball into the second quarter until Lukas Gumble ran through a big hole on the right side for an 8-yard touchdown that made it 14-0 at halftime.
Dunmore again threatened, but was hurt by a penalty after reaching the Red Zone, and Lackawanna Trail ran the remaining time off the clock in the second quarter.
The Bucks fell to 3-4.
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Scoreboard: https://nepasportsnation.com/friday-football-scoreboard-2/.
