Penn-Trafford roundup: Warriors rout Armstrong to stay unbeaten

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, October 16, 2017 | 6:06 PM

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When Penn-Trafford ran onto the field before kickoff against Armstrong on Friday, the PA announcer introduced them as “your No. 1-ranked Warriors” to the fans packed into Warrior Stadium on homecoming night.

It only took 2 minutes, 2 seconds for Penn-Trafford to put their ranking on display in a 49-3 rout.

Sophomore Caleb Libson ran for a 24-yard touchdown to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead on their first drive.

Penn-Trafford's defense was equally impressive, forcing the River Hawks (4-4, 2-4) into three turnovers.

On Armstrong's first possession, Dimitri George intercepted a pass that gave Penn-Trafford senior quarterback Cam Laffoon a chance to take control.

Laffoon drove the Warriors (8-0, 6-0) down the field and threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Suman to make it 14-0.

“I think we did a good job (Friday) running the ball,” Warriors coach John Ruane said. “But I was more excited about our passing game. That was what we really needed to work on, and I think we did a real good job throwing.”

Laffoon completed 10 of 17 passes for 153 yards.

With 9 minutes 49 seconds remaining in the first half, the Warriors recovered an onside kick after a John Gay touchdown.

On the following play, Laffoon threw a 47-yard pass to Anthony Cervone that set up the Warriors' fourth touchdown of the first half.

After a Caleb Libson's 9-yard touchdown run with 5:31 left in the third quarter, the running clock went into effect.

Libson finished with three touchdowns and rushed for 113 yards.

The Warriors face Kiski Area (1-7, 1-5) on Friday.

Boys soccer

The playoff-bound Penn-Trafford boys soccer team entered this week 10-3-2 overall and finished 7-3-2 in Section 4-AAAA, good for third place. They were scheduled to learn their WPIAL playoff opponent Wednesday.

Last week, the Warriors snapped a three-game winning streak with a 2-1 loss at Norwin.

After a red card to senior midfielder Austin Kreutzberger left P-T down a player with 33:45 left, Norwin took advantage. Luca Snyder scored with 17:14 remaining to seal the win.

The Knights have a six-game unbeaten streak and clinched second place in the section.

“It's a shame a team in a tough game like this is put in that position,” Warriors coach Rick Nese said of the red card. “We're down a man, and we've got to make sure we're dealing with what they do that's dangerous. At the same time, we just don't want to sit on a tie.”

Penn-Trafford's goal came 11 minutes in. Josh Konkus was set up with a nice pass inside the Norwin box and pushed the ball past Knights goalie Kyle Krotec.

Girls soccer

The Penn-Trafford girls soccer team captured the Section 4-AAAA championship last week and likely enters the playoffs as one of the top four seeds.

Playoff pairings were to be released Wednesday.

The Warriors entered the week 13-2-1 overall and finished 9-0-1 in section play.

In the section finale last week, P-T played to a scoreless draw with rival Norwin.

A game of close calls, clanks off goal posts and stellar goalkeeping left both teams with wobbly legs but also confidence.

And the hopes they see each other again in the postseason.

Norwin (12-1-1, 8-1-1) was energized by the return of senior Alyssa Victor, who once was thought to be out for the season after hip surgery.

Penn-Trafford, which had a 12-game winning streak stopped, did not lose to the Knights in two more tries after that. Instead, the Warriors claimed the section title for the first time since 2013.

On Sept. 25, Penn-Trafford rocked Norwin's season, toyed with its psyche even, when it stunned the Knights, 1-0, to end their 47-game regular-season unbeaten streak.