Penn Manor earns first win of the year with last-minute TD vs. Reading

It certainly wasn't how Penn Manor drew it up — marked by a missed field goal, a pair of turnovers and a safety in their own end zone — but the Comets' defense stepped up when it mattered most. They forced six turnovers Friday night against Reading, including the game-sealing interception in a come-from-behind 19-16 thriller at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium, capturing their first win of the 2024 campaign.

Turning point

Despite losing quarterback Kayson Fritz and running back Alexis Alvarado to injuries in the first half of the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section One game, Reading found itself with a 16-13 lead late, and looked to be firmly in the drivers seat.

But then, it all quickly unraveled for the Red Knights (0-2 L-L, 1-4 overall). They committed their fifth turnover of the game with a costly fumble on their side of the 50, handing both the ball and the momentum back to the Comets (1-1, 1-4), who were hungry for a win.

Sophomore quarterback Conner Smeigh led the Comets down the field, doing most of the damage through the air. Completions of 9, 12, and 4 yards put the Comets inside the Reading 1-yard line with just 30 seconds remaining in regulation.

Smeigh capped the drive a play later with a quarterback sneak. But after the extra point was blocked, Reading still only trailed by a field goal.

Backup quarterback Jason Pylaharn tried to salvage Reading's chances late, firing a deep ball in the direction of Kahlil Samuel. But Jack Warfel made a great read on the ball, intercepting it and racing up the left sideline as time expired.

"It was a dog fight the whole time," Smeigh said.

Up next

Penn Manor will look to continue winning when it travels to Landisville next Friday to take on Hempfield. Reading will head to Cedar Crest to take on the Falcons. Both kickoffs are at 7 p.m.