Mounties End 2016 Season with 26-21 Thriller Win Over Chestnut Hill

LAFAYETTE HILL, PA – Freshman D.J. McLean Jr. caught two touchdown passes of 35 and 27-yards and the Mountaineer defense forced three key turnovers in the second half to lead the Mountaineers to a 26-21 win over Chestnut Hill Saturday afternoon in the season finale for both teams.

It was Mansfield's second straight win of the season after blanking Post 28-0 last week.

Mansfield rolled to a 20-0 lead, scoring with six-seconds remaining in the first quarter when senior Kurt Logan pulled in an 18-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Adam Hutchison. Senior Paul Harrison's point-after kick was good giving the Mountaineers a 7-0 lead.

The Mountaineers got on the board again four minutes later.

After holding Chestnut Hill on a 4th-and-15 from their own 41, Mansfield put together a four-play, 45-yard drive – highlighted with a 40-yard reception by senior Kurt Logan from Hutchison --that culminated on a 1-yard TD plunge by running back LeRon Strothers. The point-after attempt failed giving Mansfield a 13-0 lead.

Mansfield found itself back in the end zone again just seconds later when Chestnut Hill quarterback Marino was sacked on the first play following the kickoff by senior Mike Bucek and fumbled the ball with Bucek recovering at the Chestnut Hill 35 yard-line.

On Mansfield's first play following the fumble, Hutchison found McLean Jr., for a 35-yard TD pass increasing the Mountaineers led to 20-0 after Harrison's extra-point kick at the 10:41 mark of the second quarter.

But Chestnut Hill quickly responded driving 54-yard on four plays and scoring on a 22-yard touchdown run by Raevon Floyd-Bennett to cut the lead to 20-7 after the extra-point.

Mansfield had moved the ball to mid-field on their next series before Hutchison's pass was intercepted.

The Griffiths put together another 54-yard drive, this one taking eight plays before scoring on a 27-yard touchdown reception by Reginald Robinson Jr. from Marino to pull to 20-14 at halftime.

Mansfield drove to the Chestnut Hill 33-yard line on the first series of the second half before giving the ball up on downs.

Two plays later, a Chestnut Hill pass hit the foot of the receiver, bounced up in the air and was picked off by senior defensive lineman Doug Bird.

Mansfield had the ball at the Chestnut Hill 27 after a six-yard return and facing a third-and-10 two plays later, Hutchison, under pressure, rolled to his right and held the ball to the last second before throwing into the end zone when McLean Jr. outjumped the defender for his second touchdown of the afternoon.

Chestnut Hill was flagged for roughing the quarterback on the play but Mansfield couldn't convert on the two-point attempt making the score a seemly safe 26-14.

Chestnut Hill didn't fold. The Griffiths threated throughout the remainder of the game only to be stopped by a turnovers and a Mountaineer defense that bent but did not break.

Seton Hill drove down to the Mansfield 1-yard line on their next series but Bucek hit the ball carrier just as he was about to cross the goal line forcing a fumble in the end zone that was recovered by Brandon Pace for a touchback.

Chestnut Hill was driving again on its next possession moving the ball to the Mansfield 18-yard line before senior Kyle Post intercepted a pass and returned it to the Mansfield 34. It was Post's third interception of the season and eighth of his career.

On the Griffiths next series, they held after a key sack by senior Al Bodolus before giving the ball up on downs.

With 1:11 remaining in the game, Chestnut Hill scored on a six-yard touchdown pass from Marino to Kadeem Pankey to close to 26-21.

On the onside kick attempt, Mansfield Mike Bucek pulled in the ball and the Mountaineer took a knee on three straight plays to kill the clock.

The victory marks the first time since Mansfield started sprint football in 2008 that the Mountaineers have won back-to-back games.

Hutchison completed 18-of-30 passes for 239 yards and a season-best three touchdowns. Kurt Logan added to his school all-time career records with a game-high seven catches for 77-yards and a touchdown.
He becomes the school's first-ever career 100 catch sprint football player ending his career with 100 catches for 1178 yards and 10 touchdowns.

McLean Jr. had five catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns while Chad Steinmetz caught three passes for 60 yards.

Bucek ended his career in remarkable fashion recording a game-high 12 tackles, 11 of the solo, forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble, had two tackles for a loss and a sack.

Freshman Michael Johnson was credited with eight tackles and a sack with fellow freshman Issac Haven responsible for seven solo tackles. Senior John Capwell also had seven tackles with senior Dylan Flexer six and fellow senior Kyle Post five.

Chestnut Hill was led offensively by Marino who completed 11-of-25 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Reginald Robinson Jr., had four catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.