Defense carries Peters Township to flag football victory
COAL CENTER – A 7-on-7 flag football game might seem like it would favor offense, but Peters Township proved defense, like in any other sport, is essential.
The Indians forced seven turnovers including a pick-six in the second half by Allison Oshnock in a 26-13 victory over California in a WPIAL girls flag football game Wednesday night.
“It was a pretty outstanding defensive performance,” Peters Township coach Kimberly Beaver said. “How many interceptions you can get really depends on the other offense. Some teams pass the ball more, but others are more run-heavy. Our girls are learning how to read offenses on the fly. They’re adjusting well.”
This is the first season the WPIAL has sponsored girls flag football and it’s the first year Peters Township and California have fielded a team. Several schools have had independent flag football teams for a few years through a program sponsored by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Peters Township led 7-6 at halftime, but built on that thanks to Oshnock, who is a co-captain of the team with quarterback Raia Lamping.
Oshnock intercepted a pass on California’s first possession of the second half and ran it back 60-yards to the end zone.
“It was my first interception of the season, which is something I’ve been trying to do all year,” Oshnock said. “My goal was to go for ball more. After I got it, I just ran as hard as I could and it felt really good to score.”
On Cal’s next possession Lamping picked off another pass.
That set up a 10-yard touchdown pass from Lamping to Leah Sherry, which increased the lead to 20-6.
California drove deep into Peters Township territory on its next drive, but it again ended in a turnover. Addie DelSardo intercepted a pass near the goal line.
“The outcome was according to the stat sheet,” California coach Herbert “Mitch” Mitchell said. “We know that we can’t turn the ball over and we did today. We tried to mix it up and find different ways to score, and the girls kept fighting, which was nice to see, but in the end it wasn’t a good night for us.”
California got to within one score late when, like Peters Township, it scored on defense. Hayley Gibson intercepted a Lamping pass and went 10 yards for a score. Gibson also caught a one-point conversion to cut the deficit to seven points.
“Hayley had a great game,” Mitchell said. “She makes some great catches and is super reliable as a receiver. She’s also an incredible punter and can make a play on defense.”
California’s comeback bid was short-lived because Lamping threw a 50-yard touchdown to Novena Dudek, which restored the two-score advantage.
Dudek intercepted a pass in the final minute to close out the game.
“I saw the defense really well and Novena just got wide open,” Lamping said. “She called for it and my coaches called for it, so I just let it fly.”
A turnover helped Peters Township get on the board first. Lamping picked off a halfback pass attempt by Gibson, which setup the Indians near midfield.
From there the Indians marched down the field. The key play was a 15-yard reception by Eve Secrist on fourth down.
Karli Stinner took a handoff down to the Cal 6-yard line on the next play. Then, Sarah Beisheim caught a six-yard pass from Indians quarterback Lamping for a touchdown. The Indians successfully recorded a one-point conversion to make it 7-0 early in the second quarter.
Peters Township recorded another turnover on California’s next drive, another interception. This time though, the Indians weren’t able to turn it into points.
A sack by California’s Addie Day resulted in a 10 yards loss back to the 30 and forced an Indians punt.
California took possession near its own goal line and drove all the way down the field, culminating in a one-yard touchdown from Meadow Maier to Isabella McVicker with 6.8 seconds remaining in the half.
Hayley Gibson had a 20-yard run and caught a pass and ran down to the one-yard line to set up the touchdown.
California was unsuccessful on its one-point conversion try and Peters Township into halftime.
Peters Township 0 7 13 6 – 26
California 0 6 0 7 – 13
PT: Sarah Beisheim 6-yard pass from Raia Lamping (one-point conversion good)
Cal: Isabella McVicker 1-yard pass from Meadow Maier (one-point conversion failed)
PT: Allison Oshnock 60-yard interception return (one-point conversion failed)
PT: Leah Sherry 10-yard pass from Lamping (one-point conversion good)
Cal: Hayley Gibson 10-yard interception return (one-point conversion good)
PT: Novena Dudek 50-yard pass from Lamping (one-point conversion failed)