Clarion Rallies Past Mansfield 15-12
CLARION, PA): Clarion freshman running back Dave Murzynski scored on a 1-yard run with 22-seconds left in the game to rally the Golden Eagles past Mansfield by a 15-12 score.
Held at Memorial Stadium, Clarion boosts its overall record to 2-1, while Mansfield drops to 0-3.
Trailing 12-7, Clarion defensive back Dwaon Woodard blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt by Mansfield’s Sean Hair with 2:05 left in the fourth quarter which was recovered by teammate James Charles at the Mansfield 30.
Clarion drove 70-yards in 12 plays to score the game-winning touchdown. During the drive, Clarion qb Brandon Dando completed 3 of 6 passes for 43-yards. The big pass play came on a 23-yard hookup with Michael Byrd which took the ball to the Mansfield 5 with 41-seconds remaining.
Without a timeout, Clarion went to freshman running back Dave Murzynski who rushed for 4-yards to the Mountaineer 1. The Golden eagles lineup up on the ball, and Murzynski rushed off left guard for the 1-yard touchdown. Murzynski also carried over left tackle for the two-point conversion and Clarion led 15-12 with 22-seconds left.
Mansfield took over at its own 45 after a 28-yard return from Ronnie Montgomery. On second and 10 and with only 6-seconds left in the game, Mansfield quarterback John Hengehold completed a 30-yard pass in the middle of the field to Tyrone Robinson, but he was tackled by Woodard as time ran out.
Clarion opened the scoring in the second quarter when Charles blocked a Brandon Fields punt at the Mansfield 12, Clarion’s Zach Gourley picked up the loose ball and ran toward the goal line, fumbled at the two, and teammate Matt Morris recovered and rolled into the endzone for the Clarion score. Kyle Snoke’s PAT gave Clarion a 7-0 lead with 8:34 left in the second quarter.
Mansfield scored in the third quarter when Hengehold hit Ozzie Mathis with a 30-yard td pass. The PAT was blocked by Woodard and Clarion still led 7-6 with 12:25 left in the third.
Mansfield took the lead with 8:07 left in the game when Hengehold hit Tyrone Robinson over the middle and he took the play 46-yards for the touchdown. The two-point conversion failed but Mansfield led 12-7, setting up the final ending.
Clarion had 378 yards of total offense including 137 rushing and 241 passing. QB Brandon Dando hit on 21 of 41 passes for 241 yards. Michael Byrd grabbed 7 passes for 76 yards, while Tony Easterling had 6 catches for 87 yards. Murzynski rushed 16 times for 78 yards and 1 td.
Mansfield netted 383 yards including 175 rushing and 208 passing. Hengehold connected on 14 of 31 passes for 208 yards and 2 td’s. Tyrone Robinson grabbed 3 passes for 86 yards and 1 td, and Ozzie Mathis caught 3 passes for 41 yards and 1 td. Running back Ernest “Poohbear” McNeal rushed 27 times for 129 yards and caught 3 passes for 30 yards.
Clarion opens PSAC-West play at California next Saturday night at 6pm. Mansfield returns home to host Kutztown.