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The North Penn-Mansfield Panthers nearly completed a comeback on Friday, September 18, but the Sayre Redskins held on for a 23-21 victory at Island Park.

Sayre struck first midway through the opening quarter. After driving down the field, Hudson Malanoski punched the ball into the end zone from inside the five-yard line. The extra point was good, giving the Redskins an early 7-0 lead.

After North Penn-Mansfield’s defense held to begin the second quarter, Sayre put together another scoring drive. The Redskins finished the possession with an inside handoff for a touchdown, followed by another successful extra point to extend their lead to 14-0.

Sayre added to its advantage before halftime, as Malanoski connected on a field goal to make it 17-0 heading into the break.

The Panthers came out of the locker room with renewed energy and finally broke through midway through the third quarter. Peyton Greene handed the ball to Bridger Lehman, who cut back and raced 20 yards for the touchdown. Conner Lewis converted the extra point, cutting Sayre’s lead to 17-7.

On Sayre’s ensuing possession, North Penn-Mansfield’s Bodhi Nickerson forced a fumble, giving the Panthers an opportunity to continue their comeback.

The Panthers quickly capitalized. On the following play, Greene faked the shovel pass before Jeremiah Lawrence broke to the outside and raced down the field for a touchdown. The successful extra point brought North Penn-Mansfield within three points at 17-14.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers completed the comeback and took their first lead of the night. Greene connected with Lehman on a short pass to the outside, and Lehman found the end zone. With the extra point, North Penn-Mansfield moved ahead 21-17.

Sayre, however, continued to battle. With less than three minutes remaining, the Redskins drove deep into Panther territory. Brayden Northrup nearly reached the end zone on an outside pitch, stepping out of bounds just short of the goal line.

A few plays later, Malanoski finished the drive with a hard run up the middle for the game-winning touchdown. The extra point was blocked, leaving the score at 23-21.

North Penn-Mansfield was unable to mount another scoring drive before time expired, as Sayre held on for the two-point victory.

The Panthers will look to bounce back this Friday when they return home to host Cowanesque Valley.