DALLAS, Pa. – Despite leading the Cougars 14-3 at halftime, Keystone Football fell to Misericordia on Saturday afternoon after the Cougars came back in the second half to secure a 24-14 victory.
The Giants got on the board first in the first quarter when Mujaheed Muhammad (Philadelphia, Pa./Paul Robeson) received a five yard touchdown pass from Donald Leach III (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) to finish off a 54-yard scoring drive. In the second quarter, Leach connected with Da'Jaun Vales (Magnolia, N.J./Sterling) for a 25-yard reception, completed a 98-yard drive. Jeremiah Ortiz (Scranton, Pa./Scranton) tacked on the extra point for each Giants touchdown.
The Cougars finished off the first half with a successful 25-yard field goal attempt from Connor McLaughlin. Then in the second half, Jacob Hunter picked up two rushing touchdowns for Misericordia and Shafeeq Frazier added one more to bring the final score to 24-14.
At the end of the day, Leach completed 18 passes in 32 attempts, resulting in 141 passing yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Muhammad netted 54 yards on 19 rushing attempts, and Vales led the team in receiving yards with 55 yards off four completions.
Keystone's home opener is set to kickoff next week on Saturday, September 14. The Giants will be taking on the Hawks from Hartwick College and kickoff time is set for 1:00 P.M.
