Ligonier Valley falters at home
By RYAN GEORGE
For The Tribune-Democrat
LIGONIER — Freshman sensation Dan Ferens and the Penns Manor Comets overcame a Ligonier Valley third-quarter rally to earn their sixth win of the season, 27-14, at Weller Field.
Ferens rushed for 197 yards on only 12 carries and managed to overwhelm the Mounties defense all night long en route to a victory.
“He sure doesn’t act like a ninth grader. He’s fast and when he doesn’t have a lane he waits for blockers to open it up for him,” said Penns Manor coach Bill Packer.
Ligonier Valley gave up the initial 19 points of the game.
Offensively, the Mounties failed to manage a significant scoring drive in the first half.
Ligonier coach Roger Beitel said Ferens proved to be a major factor.
“Ferens ran all over the place tonight,’’ Beitel said.
“I’m watching him and the thing I like is he’s fundamentally sound. He’s a heck of an athlete.”
Penns Manor also received an outstanding rushing effort from back Ben Miller, who finished with 127 yards on 17 carries.
The Comets darted out on their first possession, as Ferens, on a quarterback draw, ran for 37-yards to the Ligonier 43. Following several successful runs by Miller, Travis Trimble took a hand-off from Ferens and ran through an opening in the secondary untouched for a 26-yard touchdown.
Two possessions later, Penns Manor again drove the length of the field. Starting at their own 25, Ferens rushed to the Comet 45. He started the second quarter by hitting Travis Holby for 21-yards and followed with a 17-yard run of his own. The Comets completed the drive with Miller’s 2-yard touchdown run.
Again Ligonier Valley failed to sustain a defining drive, and following a Mounties punt, Ferens again exploited the Ligonier Valley defense with a 74-yard touchdown run.
The Mounties looked to strike in the closing minutes of the half.
Russell Markosky pounded through the Comets defense to midfield.
With under a minute remaining, Mounties quarterback John Jones looked deep down field for Anthony Tutino but Ferens stepped in front of the pass for the interception.
