Written by Tommy Steelman
Steelman is a senior at Palmyra & a member of the Cougars Football team. In this article, he lends his insight to provide a recap of the Week 5 victory
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Looking to bounce back after last week’s heartbreaking loss, Palmyra made the long trip to face Waynesboro. Both teams had won their Week 1 games but dropped three straight since. With redemption on the Cougars’ mind, their defense came to play!
The game started slowly for both offenses, with neither team able to pick up more than one first down on their opening drives. Waynesboro found a rhythm on its second drive, moving the ball into Palmyra territory. But after picking up a third first down, the Cougars delivered their first big play. Sophomore defensive lineman Christopher Kleinfelter timed the quarterback’s throw perfectly, leaping for an interception in the backfield. It was the spark Palmyra needed, but the offense couldn’t capitalize. Quarterback Roman Russek went 9-of-16 for 59 yards on the night, but the Cougars were forced to punt. After one quarter, the score remained 0-0.
Waynesboro had the ball near midfield to open the second quarter, but the Cougar defense struck again. Sophomore Kyler Sparks tipped a pass into the air, and freshman lineman Garrison John hauled in Palmyra’s second interception. This time, the offense made it count. Russek connected with Talon Speck (4 catches, 30 yards) and Braxtin Risser (4 catches, 30 yards) to convert key third downs, moving deep into Indian territory. The drive stalled, but junior kicker Brendan Crout drilled a 23-yarder to put Palmyra up 3-0 late in the half.
Waynesboro answered with its best drive of the night, moving inside the Palmyra 10-yard line through the air. But freshman safety Mason Kyper jumped a slant route for the Cougars’ third interception of the half—none bigger than that one. Palmyra wisely took a pair of kneels, heading into halftime up 3-0.
Palmyra received the second-half kickoff and opened with three straight runs, picking up two first downs behind Travis McDannell (16 carries, 33 yards) before stalling. Waynesboro’s next drive ended in a turnover on downs when the Cougar defense stuffed them on 4th down. Both defenses tightened, forcing back-to-back three-and-outs. The Palmyra defense continued to swarm, with Jake Schelhorn (8 tackles), Sparks (7 tackles), and Nate Holt (5 tackles) leading the charge.
Early in the fourth quarter, Palmyra again stopped a 4th-down attempt, setting up a grueling 12-play drive. Mixing in runs from Russek (7 carries, 26 yards, 1 TD), Aaron Villafane (3 carries, 22 yards), and Risser (2 carries, 36 yards), the Cougars marched inside the 10. Facing 4th-and-goal from the 7, they handed it to McDannell, but Waynesboro stood tall, keeping it a one-score game.
The Cougar defense forced another punt, and junior Alex Csongradi (4 punt returns, 32 yards; 1 reception, 15 yards) delivered a big return to set Palmyra up inside the 30. Russek then connected with Speck on a clutch 4th-down conversion. Moments later, on 2nd-and-goal from the 3, Russek powered in for the touchdown. A mishandled snap on the PAT left the score 9-0 with under five minutes to play.
The Indians weren’t done. A hook-and-ladder play plus an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty quickly moved them inside the Palmyra 5. On the very next play, they punched in a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 9-7 with two minutes left. Trusting their defense, Waynesboro kicked it deep instead of attempting an onside. But Csongradi once again came through, breaking free for a 44-yard run that all but sealed it.
Waynesboro used its timeouts and stopped Palmyra on 4th down, giving themselves one final chance—94 yards to go in 32 seconds with no timeouts. The Cougars’ defense slammed the door, forcing two incompletions and allowing one short catch in bounds as the clock expired.
And then came the celebration.
Palmyra 9, Waynesboro 7
Coach Pavone’s Postgame Thoughts
Coach on the win:
“It was a great win for our kids and our football program. I’m extremely proud of their heart, grit, and toughness to pull out a great win in a tough place to play. Our kids deserve moments like these, with the time, effort, and energy they have put into our program each day.”
The effort on both sides of the ball:
“The defense was lights-out and continues to show that we can hang our hat on them to put our team in the position to win any game. The offense made some great, key plays to move the ball, check the clock, and grind out a win on the road.
The impact of the recent efforts made by his players:
“I fully believe that last week was a turning point, and tonight was just another step in our process to change the culture and narrative of Palmyra Football.”
Palmyra Stats
Passing: Roman Russek – 9/16, 59 yds; Jaxin Robinson – 0/2
Rushing: Travis McDannell – 16 carries, 33 yards; Alex Csongradi – 2 carries, 42 yds; Braxtin Risser – 2 carries, 36 yds; Roman Russek – 7 carries, 26 yds, 1 TD; Aaron Villafane – 3 carries, 22 yds; Jaxin Robinson – 3 carries, -8 yds
Receiving: Talon Speck – 4 receptions, 30 yds; Braxtin Risser – 4 receptions, 30 yds; Alex Csongradi – 1 reception, 15 yds
Defensive Leaders: Jake Schelhorn – 8 tackles (6 solo, 2 assists); Kyler Sparks – 7 tackles (4 solo, 3 assists); Nate Holt – 5 tackles (2 solo, 3 assists); Aaron Villafane – 4 tackles (3 solo, 1 assist); Anthony Pinko – 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assist); Travis McDannell – 4 tackles (2 solo, 2 assists); Greg Stoak – 4 tackles (0 solo, 4 assists); Braxtin Risser – 3 tackles (0 solo, 3 assists); Peter DiGuardia – 2 tackles (1 solo, 1 assist); Louis Loew – 2 tackles (1 solo, 1 assist); Mason Kyper – 2 tackles (2 solo, 0 assists); Justus Maina – 4 tackles (2 solo, 2 assists); Wyatt Fogleman – 1 tackle (1 solo, 0 assists); Sid Harrison – 1 tackle (1 solo, 0 assists); Chris Kleinfelter – 1 tackle (0 solo, 1 assist); Garrison John – 1 tackle (0 solo, 1 assist)
Turnovers: Mason Kyper – 1 INT; Chris Kleinfelter – 1 INT; Garrison John – 1 INT
Scoring: Roman Russek – 1 rushing TD
Special Teams:
Kick Returns: Alex Csongradi – 1 KR, 18 yds; Brenden Crout – 3 KO, 130 yds
Punt Returns: Alex Csongradi – 4 PR, 32 yds (8 avg, long 24)
Punting: Nate Holt – 5 punts, 170 yds, long 40 (34.0 avg)
For more Week 5 Coverage, check out: LebCo High School Football: Week 5 Results
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