TOWANDA - The Green Dragons of Lewisburg took the hour-and-a half trek north into Towanda's Endless Mountains Athletic Complex Friday night for the AA District IV semifinal. Lewisburg coach Todd Pilford knew they were going to have to come out a blaze of fire in the intimidating EMAC. The Dragons did just that overcoming the Black Knights late rally to advance to Lewisburg's first ever district championship, 19-14. The two medieval icons hammered on each other throughout until the Green Dragons blew out Towanda's final hope when freshman linebacker Brandon Smith hauled down quarterback Dakota Roof on the Knights last fourth down hope for the 13-yard sack inside Lewisburg territory.

"We were on a blitz there and we just wanted to make sure we stayed outside. He's (Roof) got a lot of speed," stated a pleased Smith.

As a matter of fact Roof's speed set the Knights up for one final drive when the senior signal caller scrambled clear across field for a first down on a key fourth down from the Dragon 33. A play later he took the option decoy left for the 25-yard score to bring Towanda within 19-14 with six minutes left in the game.

"We've been led by our defense all year, and we just wanted to lay it on their shoulders," stated an exuberant Pilford after the game. Lewisburg did just that limiting senior Black Knight standout Travis Chesla to just 70 yards on 23 carries on the night.

Lewisburg took the opening kick and quickly went to work when quarterback Cam Cassells hit running back Merle Moscarello in the flat as Moscarello shed a tackle for the 30-yard gain to the Towanda 41. Three more Moscarello runs moved the ball inside the Knight 20 before Chesla ignited the defense stopping back Nate Brown in his tracks for a big two-yard loss. A fourth down incompletion turned the ball over on downs to Towanda at its 15.

With Towanda now in possession, Roof was pressured and linebacker John Moscarello reeled in the interception at the Towanda 21. A play later Cassells hit his new go-to-guy Ryan Lopes on the out pattern as the Dragon scorched the Knight secondary, lighting up the scoreboard for the initial score, and Lewisburg led 7-0.

Towanda answered with a 62-yard drive to the Dragon 5 set up by a Kodi Thompson streak up the gut for 29-yards to put the Knights at the Lewisburg 12. But on fourth down Roof was stood up just a few inches short of the first down marker at the 3.

However, on the ensuing Dragon possession linebacker Aaron Lamphere picked off Cassells at the Lewisburg 37. Chesla and Roof went to work covering the distance as Roof waltzed in for the 10-yard score to tie the game at 7 with 8:00 left in the half.

"They're (Roof and Chesla) the best two backs we've faced all year, so we knew we had to shut them down," said Pilford.

After an exchange of punts Moscarello blazed down the Knight sideline for a 38-yard gain to the Towanda 31. A play later Cassells went back to Lopes as the 6-foot junior pulled in the quick slant breaking two tackles and racing 29 yards to move the Dragons back on top. The point after was wide but Lewisburg led 13-7 with 1:11 to go in the half.

"Ryan and Cam have been making some plays and with them up there stopping the run we knew we had to make some plays," stated Pilford.

The Knights appeared to get the momentum back before half when Roof raced up the right sideline for a 39-yard gain to the Dragon 26. Roof finished with 88 yards on 21 carries with two scores. However, after a key incompletion in the endzone Roof's 29-yard field goal attempt was wide left and Lewisburg led 13-7 at the break.

Towanda did get the ball to start the second half but things quickly went south for the Black Knights when the ball was vaulted over Roof's head in punt formation. Roof recovered but the Dragons were in prime field position at the Knight 14. Nate Brown drove to the five where Moscarello nailed it in for the five-yard score. The fake point after was no good but Lewisburg had a two score advantage up 19-7.

"We didn't take too many chances being up two touchdowns. We just wanted to let our defense do the job," stated Tilford.

"It's an amazing feeling, our teammates really stepped up," said Lopes. Moscarello reiterated the sentiment, "It was the most nerve racking game I've ever been a part of. The guys played unbelievable." Moscarello finished with 110 yards on 18 totes with a score.

For Towanda they completed an 11-1 campaign and Coach Craig Dawsey gave his thoughts after the game, "I felt all four teams (semifinalists) were very evenly matched, and it was going to come down to who makes the plays that make the difference and they just made one more play than we did. I was proud of the kids. They worked hard. It was a great football game. They're a great football team."

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